Norton proves super sub for Detorri

Franny Norton came in for a choice spare ride on Princess Iris in the Sportsman Newspaper Firth Of Clyde Stakes to complete a 95-1 double at Ayr.

Frankie Dettori was due to partner Eoghan O’Neill’s filly in the Group Three contest, but he failed to arrive in time so Norton stepped in.

He gave her a positive ride and she was always prominent before being sent on over a furlong out to run on gamely and score by a length and a quarter from Roxan.

After dismounting from the 11-1 winner, Norton said: “I think Frankie’s plane was delayed – I have had a few rides for Eoghan and luckily enough I was available.

“She gave me a smashing ride, workmanlike but she’s done it well enough in the end and it was a nice spare ride to have.”

As a result of her victory, Princess Iris was given a quote of 40-1 by William Hill for the Stan James 1000 Guineas.

Earlier Norton was successful on Glenbuck, who made it four wins on the bounce in the toteplacepot Handicap.

The progressive gelding’s winning run started at Newmarket last month and was quickly followed by victories at Wolverhampton and Catterick.

Glenbuck had made most of the running on those occasions and he did so again.

Norton brought Glenbuck wide into the straight and the 7-1 shot, relishing the good to soft going, never looked like being caught and had a length and a half in hand over runner-up Continent at the line.

“Ground, that’s the key to this horse,” said trainer Alan Bailey. “He’s a straightforward horse but if it’s firm he’s scratchy.

“As for where he goes next we’ll see how he is and see what the handicapper does.”

It was not Dettori’s day as he finished unplaced on the heavily-backed 10-11 favourite Ashaawes in the Doonside Cup.

The Godolphin runner had every chance but faded to finish a disappointing fifth of the seven runners.

The race went to the Barry Hills-trained Mashaahed, who was booted clear by Ryan Moore to beat Ouninpohja by six lengths.

“The ground is so dead out there and my horse really loved it, travelled great, really picked up well and is probably a useful animal,” said Moore.

Dettori reported Ashaawes ran flat but it later transpired the horse finished slightly lame.

Connections’ decision to withdraw Vicious Warrior from a race here on Friday paid off when the gelding landed the £25,000 (€37,112m) totescoop6 Ayrshire Handicap.

Kevin Darley went straight into the lead on Richard Whitaker’s 25-1 chance but he was headed over two furlongs out.

However, Vicious Warrior would not be denied and rallying strongly he regained the lead close home to beat St Petersburg by a head.

Blythe Knight was badly hampered over a furlong out but kept on well for third a length away.

Simon Whitaker, representing his father, said: “He should have run yesterday, but it was just too soft so we decided to wait until today and we did the right thing for a change.

“I walked the track this morning and it had definitely dried out. It was good prize money today and with the ground drying out we thought he had a good chance.”