LONG-SUFFERING supporters of Borderlescott (3.30) will be hoping their horse enjoys a well-deserved change of luck and wins this afternoon's Ayr Gold Cup.

It's a tough ask for Robin Bastiman's raider to defy top-weight and go one better than his second spot in last year's race, but on the other hand he's in the form of his life.

As if being touched off in the 2006 Cup wasn't bad enough, Borderlescott has twice endured a similar indignity in recent weeks, each time nailed in the final stride at Goodwood and Beverley.

Although those short-head Stewards' Cup and Beverley Bullet defeats were stab-in-the-back material, both runs provided cast-iron evidence of the selection's current well-being.

It's now down to rider Royston Ffrench keeping a little a bit extra up his sleeve, a tactic which could serve to bring the trophy back to Bastiman's base between Wetherby and York.

The Firth of Clyde Stakes offers Loch Jipp (2.20) an excellent opportunity to bag a sought-after Group 3 prize.

For relatively small trainers such as Malton minnow John Wainwright, fillies of the quality of Lock Jipp simply don't come along very often.

Wainwright has already landed Beverley's listed Hilary Needler with his stable-star, whose breeding value will rocket should the flying two-year-old grab further glory.

Thursday's torrential rain must have been music to the ears of My Paris (2.50), a soft-ground lover with a major chance of landing the Ayrshire Handicap.

In truth Kevin Ryan's six-year-old acts on any surface, however an in-depth study of past performance shows he's at his most effective when the heavens have opened.

Another set of spirits unlikely to have been dampened by the wet weather is the camp of Richard Fahey, responsible for Anna Pavlova (4.40).

It's almost inconceivable that Fahey could contemplate switching Anna Pavlova right back to ten furlongs after she so nearly beat the mighty Septimus over two miles at York.

Admittedly distance-wise the Doonside Cup is going to be an inadequate stamina test for Paul Hanagan's mount, nevertheless her class may still win the day.

One of the individuals consigned to the sales during Mark Johnston's annual mid-summer cull was Teslin, sold to join Brian Ellison's shrewd outfit.

After a good start to his career with three excellent runs at Sandown, Chepstow, and Newbury, Teslin's form tailed off, doubtless contributing to his exit from team Johnston.

Some of Johnston's staff described the son of In The Wings as a "machine" on the home gallops, which roughly translates to "worth a serious bet" in betting-shop speak.

The fact Teslin failed to deliver in the early part of his three-year-old campaign was probably due to Johnston's yard being under a cloud, rather than lack of ability.

Whatever the reason, he certainly perked up for Ellison, scooping a valuable Beverley prize on only his second outing for the stable 28 days ago.

The amazingly generous 33-1 returned on that occasion sadly won't be available for Newmarket's Victor Chandler Handicap, however it shouldn't stop him following up.

Newbury's top-of-the-bill, the Mill Reef Stakes, is not a particularly strong renewal of the six-furlong Group 2 contest.

Given the lack of a stand-out juvenile, Dream Eater's (2.35) recent improvement might be sufficient to further line the pocket of his wealthy owner-breeder, Jeff Smith, whose colours have been heroically carried with much distinction over the years by such supernovas as Loch Song and Persian Punch.

Dream Eater is nowhere near their league but time is on his side and further progress seems imminent.

The 20-runner cavalry charge for the £100,000 John Smith's Heritage Handicap means you need a break when it comes to the draw and if ever a horse was in pole position to take advantage it's Players Please (3.10) from stall three. It's only four days since Players Please took a decent field apart at Thirsk where he powered away for an emphatic triumph