Ayr Gold Cup tips as Garry Owen naps Mostabshir for glory

MOSTABSHIR can give all-conquering Team Gosden their first winner of the Ayr Gold Cup. The grey looked a top miler in the making when bolting-up from Ziryab at York in May 2023. However, he struggled after a disappointing seventh in the St James's Palace at Royal Ascot. The four-year-old showed more when third to Mount Athos over seven furlongs at Kempton. Poor at Ascot, the four-year-old hit back with a fine fourth in the Buckingham Palace back there. The top handlers began to eye shorter trips after he flopped again in the Bunbury Cup at HQ. That looked a smart move when the colt was fourth to Get It in the Stewards' Cup at Goodwood. The HQ raider is unexposed as a sprinter and should be primed after some blistering workouts.

OBELIX looks very strong for Julie Camacho in the LiveScore Bet Daily Handicap. The four-year-old began the campaign with a near-miss to Great Blasket at Nottingham. The bay then appeared to lose his way with a string of lesser efforts in decent company. However, he benefited from a drop in grade when brushing aside Empire Of Light at Haydock. The gelding scored with plenty in hand so he can make a winning return to Class Two company.

SONS AND LOVERS can turn on the style for Jane Chapple-Hyam in the Doonside Cup. The gelding was a respectable sixth behind Jayarebe in the Hampton Court at Royal Ascot. He quickly stayed upwardly mobile over 1m 2f when third to Phantom Flight at Newbury. He recorded another personal best when giving Ombudsman most resistance at Deauville. That is excellent form so the three-year-old can claim a warm renewal of this Listed contest.

KINGS MERCHANT can seal the deal for Ed Bethell in the Virgin Bet Ayr Silver Cup. The sprinter built on some creditable efforts when