The ground is likely to be on the fast side of good for the Ayr Gold Cup on Saturday and Buffer Zone is BetVictor’s 11/2 favourite having been given what was largely considered as a favourable draw near to the stands’ rail in stall 21.

There is a good card at Newbury today and Oisin Murphy takes over in the saddle on Andrew Balding’s Shailene (2.20) who was given too much to do at Baden-Baden in a Group 2 contest last time. The filly does get further than today’s mile-and-a-half and the hope is that The Trader and/or Blakeney Point will ensure there is a good gallop. The latter is, arguably, better on softer ground and Soto Sizzler looks the main danger with Jim Crowley taking over from regular pilot Murphy.

John Gosden has, almost invariably, an exciting team of juveniles and the once-raced Cape Palace (3.25) was an impressive scorer at Newcastle on debut – a track where the trainer has given the racecourse debut to some of his very best inmates. The Golden Horn colt is currently 33/1 at BetVictor for the 2020 Derby and I would be disappointed if he didn’t maintain his unbeaten record in a race I have always had a soft spot for.

The listed Dubai Duty Free Stakes is the feature event and Salute The Soldier has beaten Tabarrak (3.55) by a neck in his last couple of starts, but meets that rival on level weights this afternoon having received 10lbs and 8lbs from the runner up in their last couple of meetings.

At the revised weights Tabarrak looks the one to beat given he is a multiple winner at listed level including this corresponding race two years ago.

I was disappointed with Nasaiym in the Gimcrack at York last time, but I feel it is too early to give up on her with the step up to 7f considered a plus. I also feel there is more to come from Quadrilateral (4.30) who scored over C&D on debut for Roger Charlton and who still holds an entry in next Friday’s Rockfel Stakes at Newmarket.

Starfighter (5.05) did us a favour at Salisbury last time and a 5lbs rise is fair. He would have been a confident selection were it not for his coffin box draw in stall 11. Entrusting is another who must overcome a moderate draw and he shaped with promise returning from a break when second at Newcastle last time. The winner – Wise Ruler – failed to frank the form back at Gosforth Park earlier in the week, but that was over an additional quarter-mile and he looked a non-stayer.

At Ayr I hope to see a big run from Seinesational (4.20) in the marathon near two-and-a-quarter mile handicap. Hollie Doyle takes over in the saddle and she is likely to ensure it is a thorough test for a horse who finished runner up at Goodwood at their feature meeting over another couple of furlongs.

Top-weight Alright Sunshine somehow contrived to lose a race he should have won at Haydock last time and is the obvious danger but is likely to go off a short-price. Perhaps too short, given he is 4lbs higher in the weights today.

Sootability (4.55) hit the front but was run out of it close home at Epsom last time and can race from the same mark this afternoon despite being raised 3lbs for that latest start. Jockey Paul Hanagan may have to play his charge late which may not be easy in such a big field, but he looks the type who can “sweep” down the outside to victory.

At Newcastle this evening Blame It On Sally has made all to win her last couple of starts but Anyonecanhaveitall (5.15) finished runner up in the Edinburgh Gold Cup at Musselburgh on Saturday and is taken to go one better for Mark Johnston. He can make up into a decent staying handicapper next year.

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