'The best is yet to come' - Marquand impressed by easy winner My Astra

Wednesday: Ayr

Tom Marquand returned to Ayr for the first time since his memorable Gold Cup victory on Nahaarr and once again plundered the day's big prize, landing Listed honours with My Astra.

The lightly raced four-year-old quickened smartly in the Tennent's Lager British Stallion Studs EBF Rothesay Stakes and the jockey believes she is an exciting prospect for the William Haggas stable.

For Marquand, it was further success in the west of Scotland. Nahaarr's win in the Ayr Gold Cup was the middle leg of a super Saturday treble in September 2020.

The jockey said: "Coming up here I was thinking we definitely haven't seen the best of her yet but I think that statement can probably stand in place for another run now.

"The way she went through the gears and galloped to the line was impressive, she really feels like she's come together for a winter."

Asked whether she could develop into a Group-class filly, he responded: "We'd certainly like to think so, it's what we thought of her last year. She remains exciting and the best is yet to come."

Debut win

Alice Haynes' first runner at the track returned victorious as Girl Magic blew her rivals away with an easy win under Rossa Ryan in the 5f maiden.

The win brings the trainer's seasonal tally to 21, already surpassing the total of her first campaign as a trainer last year.

Closing in

After partnering veteran Chookie Dunedin to victory in the 7f handicap, Ryan Sexton moved to just one win away from riding out his 7lb claim.

Results, replays and analysis

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