Jonathan all Gold at Ayr
Our Jonathan gave owner Dr Marwan Koukash back-to-back victories in the William Hill Gold Cup at Ayr.
Trained in North Yorkshire by Kevin Ryan, the four-year-old had long promised to deliver in a big race, and could be called the winner from some way out.
Sent off an 11-1 chance, Franny Norton elected to go to the far side from his middle draw in stall 12, and it was to prove a shrewd move.
His mount hit top gear approaching the last of the six furlongs and strode out powerfully, with two lengths the margin of victory over heavily-backed favourite Eton Rifles, who led home the runners on the stands rail.
Son Of The Cat, who also raced on the far side, was one and a half lengths back in third, with Colonel Mak fourth home from the near side.
A delighted Norton, a veteran of the weighing room, said: “I’ve been on two horses in the past that I’ve been meant to ride and they have gone on to win, so this is great. This horse is special to Marwan too, so it’s double delight really.”
Koukash had celebrated 12 months ago when the Dandy Nicholls-trained Redford won in his colours.
