Majestic performance expected

Majestic Times was only beaten the narrowest of margins into third in the totesport Ayr Gold Cup on his last trip to Britain two years ago and Liam McAteer believes he has him primed for another sterling effort on Saturday.

Although the seven-year-old – a 25-1 shot with the sponsors – has not won a race since a month after that performance, his trainer reports him to be showing much more sparkle before his attempt off a 3lb higher mark.

“He won a Listed sprint at Cork soon after his last run at Ayr, but last year we could never get him right,” said McAteer.

“The ground was too fast and hopefully there will be some nice ease at Ayr as I have him in tremendous form.

“He was fourth at Dundalk from a wide draw last time and that has just left him right. We have been going for this race since the start of the year and bringing him along quietly.

“He never lets us down and was only beaten a couple of short heads two years ago and ran best of those down the stands side. He has so much pace, and right, left or middle, I don’t mind where he’s drawn. But it’s so tight in these races – you can finish 10th and run a blinder.

Navan-based McAteer will bring a team of about six over for the three-day meeting and hopes either Pat Shanahan or Chris Hayes can ride Majestic Times.

He hopes the ex-Walter Swinburn inmate Propinquity can make an impact in the totescoop6 Ayrshire Handicap.

The trainer continued: “He got the shock of his life when third on the beach at Laytown last time. He had 12 stone and had the sand and the salt flying at him. He’s in great form and will much prefer these conditions.”