Irish raider Nans Best (18-1) showed the way home under Pat Cosgrave in the W&D McCulloch Rail Division Handicap on the first day of the Ayr Gold Cup meeting.

Dandy Nicholls will be five-handed in his bid to win the totesport Ayr Gold Cup on Saturday and he made a flying start to the three-day fixture when Northern Bolt won the opening You Can't Predict FA Maiden Auction Stakes today.