Almeric Defies Lengthy Absence To Win Doonside Cup In Style
Almeric put a 158-day lack behind him as he originated from last to very first to easily land the Ladbrokes "Big Football Bet Builder Boosts" Doonside Cup Stakes at Ayr.
Caviar Heights set the early speed in the Listed occasion with King's Gambit keeping tabs on him two lengths in arrears with champion jockey Oisin Murphy pleased to drop the Andrew Balding-trained Almeric in at the back of the field.
Caviar Heights deteriorated as the race went into the final furlong and a half and Murphy timed his obstacle to excellence and as soon as he asked the question, Almeric moved to the front of the field as the 13-8 favourite won for the third time in four starts, two and three-quarter lengths clear of King's Gambit.
Murphy told ITV: "He's undoubtedly a bit ring rusty because he's been off the track for a while but he entered into the race well but then he most likely got to the front a bit faster than perfect.
"Obviously with the time off the track he must be sharper on his next start.
"We have actually constantly loved him he's the most gorgeous model.
Almeric wins the Doonside Cup at Ayr (Steve Welsh/PA)
"He's practically got a best record having actually won his last three starts and he ran well on launching. When you make racehorses this is what they are expected to appear like."
The Richard Spencer-trained Candy made all to win the Ladbrokes Ayr Silver Cup.
The field divided coming out of the stalls with the George Wood-ridden Candy striking the front on the near side, with his chief competitors battling it out on the far side of the course.
Sondad was getting the better of Eye Of Dubai getting in the last half furlong, but Wood was always in command and the 8-1 saw off Sondad by one and three-quarter lengths.
Spencer stated: "It's great, George gets on actually well with him, the ground is the essential too him. He to just relish it and has a high travelling speed and just keeps it going. I'm definitely pleased. Hopefully we'll be returning here next year for the big one."
Owner Phil Cunningham added: "It's the sort of horse, especially in a field like that, that he's not too tough to area. You know how's he going to run. He's going to come off the front and what a significant training efficiency. It was fantastic, definitely remarkable."
Thunder Roar struck the front a furlong from home and held on to win the Ladbrokes "Free Bet At Ayr" Handicap, while the Richard Hughes-trained Nobody Knows got up to win the British Stallion Studs EBF Novice Stakes to provide Murphy a double.