Scotland's richest flat race meeting, the
William Hill Ayr Gold Cup Festival comes under starter's orders
today (Thursday) with an eight race Opening Day.
The highlight of the first day of the three day Festival is the
williamhill.com Handicap for The Kilkerran Cup, a Class 2 race over
1 mile 2 furlongs due off at 4.20 pm.
Champion jockey Paul Hanagan is in action at the track this
afternoon with a full book of rides.
Before the action gets under way a draw will be held this
morning for Saturday's feature race of the Festival, the
William Hill Ayr Gold Cup with top trainers present to chose the
stall from which their horse will run.
The draw will be conducted by racing pundit Tom O'Ryan and Mark
Kershaw, former Racecourse Manager at both Ayr and Newbury.
Trainers who will be present include David Nicholls who has
saddled 6 of the last 11 winners of the race, Richard Fahey, Kevin
Ryan and Jim Goldie whose Hawkeyethenoo carries Scotland's
hopes.