3.30 Ayr: the one race you do not want to miss on Thursday

William Hill Doonside Cup Stakes | Listed | 1m2f | 3yo+ | RTV

Why is it interesting?

The feature race on the opening day of Ayr's signature Gold Cup meeting whets the appetite for what is to come and a healthy prize pot of £65,000 has drawn a decent field, although each-way players may grumble it has not stretched to eight runners.

The fixture is something of a home draw for Keith Dalgleish, whose admirable five-year-old What's The Story looks one of the more likely candidates.

Richard Fahey, twice a winner of the Ayr Gold Cup, also has claims, saddling Forest Ranger and Exhort, although the former's task is complicated by a 7lb Group 2 penalty.

What do the stats say?

The numbers suggest further course joy for Dalgleish, who has had more winners at Ayr in the last five years than any other trainer.

However, Andrew Balding knows his way around the programme book and has won this race twice since 2012, so Encapsulation could enter the mix for the Kingsclere outfit.

As for jockeys, Paul Hanagan is operating at a 24 per cent strike-rate this month and perhaps the in-form rider can work his magic on Exhort.

What do the trainers say?

Mick Appleby, trainer of Big Country
He's in good order and I thought he ran a lot better last week at Doncaster than he did at Windsor, so he'd come on a good bit for that run. I think he'll go well. The trip is perfect and the ground should be as well, so he has a lot in his favour for a big run.

Big Country (white face) has a lot in his favourCredit: Mark Cranham

Keith Dalgleish, trainer of What's The Story
He keeps going up in the weights and handicaps will obviously be very tough for him now off 108, but he continues to progress and is definitely worth a try in Pattern company. I'm hoping the ground dries out. If he handles the conditions, I think he's my best chance of a winner this week.

Chris Richardson, managing director of Cheveley Park Stud, owners of Exhort
She's a filly who runs to the line, so a mile and two furlongs could help with regard to that, while Richard [Fahey] is very happy with her. It's an opportunity to learn a bit more. She's probably best over a mile, but Richard is pretty comfortable with the idea of stepping her up in trip again and the ground should be fine.

Andrew Balding: trains EncapsulationCredit: Edward Whitaker

Andrew Balding, trainer of Encapsulation
She was very disappointing at York last time, but she's had a nice break since then and her work has been good. I hope she'll run well and we're getting plenty of weight from some of the others, while on her first run for me at Sandown in July she should have every chance.

Tom Dascombe, trainer of Iconic Choice
She ran well early doors and has run consistently okay all season. Nothing really came to light after her last race; she just seems to hit a flat spot, so we're stepping her up in trip, which should suit her. The ground will be fine and she's won at Ayr. Richard Kingscote's doing 8st 7lb for her, so he must think she's got a chance as that's a struggle.

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