Presto grabs Gold Cup

Presto Shinko and title-chasing rider Seb Sanders emerged victorious after a nail-biting outcome to the totesport Ayr Gold Cup.

The Richard Hannon-trained 12-1 shot got home by a short head and the same from Fonthill Road and Irish raider Majestic Times, with the first three a neck in front of fourth-placed Yomalo.

The field split into two groups with little to choose between both sets of runners and as they ran down to the final furlong Presto Shinko and Fonthill Road were disputing the lead on the far side with Majestic Times clear on the stand rail.

As they crossed the line Brazilian jockey Valdir de Souza punched the air in celebration believing he had won on Majestic Times.

But ultimately it was Presto Shinko who took the honours in the £120,000 sprint to give Hannon his second success in the historic handicap following Wildwood Flower’s success in 1997.

The victory crowned a great day for Sanders, who was ompleting a 633-1 treble having taken the first two races on Lord Of The East and Violette.

He said: “What a brilliant day. The Ayr Gold Cup is one of those races a jockey always wants to win during their career and so it’s another feather in my cap.

“They set off at a good clip and I think we were always in front on our side and as the race was going along he was going better and better.

“But unfortunately they stopped sooner than I expected and I went on a bit soon.

“I always thought I was holding them and when I went past the line I thought I’d won but when the lad started celebrating I thought perhaps not.”

Stewards’ Cup runner-up Fonthill Road once again ran with great credit in a top handicap without winning and his jockey Paul Hanagan found it hard to conceal his disappointment.

He said: “The winner went half a length up and he fought all the way back and it just shows how genuine he is. It was just on the nod.

“I’m gutted. He really deserves to win a big race.”

Liam McAteer, the trainer of the third, was delighted with his horse’s effort and vowed to return in 12 months’ time.

He said: “It was a long journey but it nearly paid off.

“The lad was entitled to think he’d won when he was only beaten two short heads. Two short heads are nothing.

“He had nothing to lead him on his side. The winning post just came in time for the far side.

“This horse has run out of his skin. He is improving all the time and will be a big horse next season and we’ll be back here next year.”