Ayr´s showpiece on Saturday looks a wide open affair.

It is worth remembering that no favourite has obliged since Coastal Bluff at 3/1 racing odds in 1996 and all subsequent winners have returned a starting price in double figures.

Remembering the significance the draw can have in this race (the effect of which may be more obvious after the running of the Ayr Silver Cup on Friday) the three we like are Hogmaneigh, Confuchias and Advanced.

The SC Williams-trained Hogmaneigh ran a superb race when winning the Portland Handicap at Doncaster last Saturday. On soft ground over 5.5f in a fast run race he got up to win in the shadow of the post.

His style of running always requires a touch of luck but only 5lbs higher here he must have a good chance.

KR Burke-trained Confuchias is another that will be very well suited by the likely soft ground. He ran a very solid race at Ripon in the Great St Wilfred last time “winning” the race on the less favoured stand side off his current mark of 100 (he eventually finished 1.25l behind Tajneed drawn on the far side).

Having won a Group 3 on heavy going over 6f in 2007 he looks well treated and must be seriously considered in the event of there being lots and lots of give in the ground.

The Kevin Ryan-trained Advanced also looks well treated. He won the race last year off a 5lbs higher mark. He ran a very promising race last time in a listed event over 5f when losing to the speedy Look Busy at Beverley.

A return to 6f on Saturday looks ideal and he is the selection.

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