Almeric Defies Lengthy Absence To Win Doonside Cup In Style
Almeric put a 158-day absence behind him as he came from last to first to easily land the Ladbrokes "Big Football Bet Builder Boosts" Doonside Cup Stakes at Ayr.
Caviar Heights set the early pace in the Listed occasion with King's Gambit keeping tabs on him 2 lengths in financial obligations with champ jockey Oisin Murphy delighted to drop the Andrew Balding-trained Almeric in at the back of the field.
Caviar Heights compromised as the race entered the last furlong and a half and his obstacle to perfection and when he asked the question, Almeric glided to the front of the field as the 13-8 favourite won for the third time in four starts, 2 and three-quarter lengths clear of King's Gambit.
Murphy told ITV: "He's undoubtedly a bit ring rusty due to the fact that he's been off the track for a while however he entered into the race perfectly however then he probably got to the front a bit earlier than perfect.
"Obviously with the time off the track he should be sharper on his next start.
"We've constantly enjoyed him he's the most stunning model.
Almeric wins the Doonside Cup at Ayr (Steve Welsh/PA)
"He's practically got a perfect record having won his last 3 starts and he ran well on debut. When you make racehorses this is what they are supposed to look like."
The Richard Spencer-trained Candy made all to win the Ladbrokes Ayr Silver Cup.
The field split coming out of the stalls with the George Wood-ridden Candy striking the front on the near side, with his primary competitors battling it out on the far side of the course.
Sondad was overcoming Eye Of Dubai entering the last half furlong, but Wood was constantly in command and the 8-1 saw off Sondad by one and three-quarter lengths.
Spencer stated: "It's terrific, George gets on really well with him, the ground is the crucial too him. He appears to just relish it and has a high travelling speed and just keeps it going. I'm definitely happy. 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 spot. You understand how's he going to run. He's going to come off the front and what an incredible training efficiency. It was incredible, definitely incredible."
Thunder Roar hit the front a furlong from home and hung 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.