ADVANCED CAN GIVE AMY GOLD; Team Ryan to be walking on Ayr.

Byline: Garry Owen

THE William Hill Ayr Gold Cup, first run in 1804, has a long and distinguished history and I reckon Amy Ryan is about to add her name to the roll of honour aboard 2007 winner Advanced.

Amy has an excellent chance to become the first lady rider to land the richest sprint handicap in Europe.

Unless of course, there's something some previous winning jockey would like to confess, all in the strictest confidence I assure you.

Advanced.comes into today's race with fine local credentials. He belied his odds of 40-1 when finishing third to Fonthill Road in this race three years ago. That was a cracking run for a three-yearold and he returned the following September to nail Benwilt Breezein the shadow of the post under a masterful ride from wee Spencer.

Sent off favourite to defend his crown last year, heled the far side group until the heavy ground took its toll inside the final furlong and he faded to finish just over six lengths behind Regal Parade.

Three runs in two weeks in August will have brought him to peak condition and it was his fine third to Markabin the Great St Wilfrid on his last start that makes me confident of a big run.

Advanced.led 25 yards from the post but was just run out of it in the last couple of strides.

He comes into today's battle 5lb better off than last year and atasty 10lb lower than his winning markin 2007.

The Ryan yardis in fine nick at the moment and Amy's old man Kevin said of his entries last night: "They are all fine, they are in good order and coming to themselves for this race."

Amy gets on very well with ADVANCED(3.10) and with what looks a decent draw in the four box and at around14's with the sponsors William Hill, this tough campaigner can put Amy into Ayr folklorewith a second Gold Cup victory.

It looks a fantastic card at Ayr today and lets hope we can get off to a brisk start in our battle with the books courtesy of CENTIGRADE(1.35) in the Nigel Angus Memorial Nursery.Willie Haggas sends the colt up to Ayr to build on a smart victory in a seven furlong maiden at Warwick. He showed a taking turn of foot to get to the front and showed a good attitude when challenged by the runner-up. He looked to have a bit in hand at Warwick and the step up to a mile should be helpful.

Highclere Thoroughbred Racing paid 67,000gns for the grey colt but that could prove to be a bargain if he continues to progress.

Richard Fahey has been in devastating form and whatever the fate of his great sprinter Knot In Wood in the Gold Cup, he should havealiveone in QUEST FOR SUCCESS(2.05) in the Silver Cup.

Quietly fancied to run a big race in the Gold version, the four-year-old just failed to make the cut but as auld Arthur Stephenson used say 'little fishes aresweet' especially when they'reserved up with thirty-odd grand prizemoney.

The gelding has been given a wee break since landing the Scottish Stewards'Cup at Hamilton in July, beating a very strong field, including Tamagin, Roker Parkand Knot In Wood.

Awinner over today's track twice, he clearly enjoys the sea breezes at Ayr, and though we'll know moreabout the effect of the draw after the Silver Cupit looked yesterday as though the far side, low draw was the place to be. Nine doesn't look too bad and its also interesting that Paul Hanagan has the leg up on him.

The Group 3 Firth of Clyde Stakes looks a hot race but I'mlooking no further than the Michael Jarvistrained BEYOND DESIRE(2.35). She looked a filly to be with when landing a maiden at Goodwood in July, winning with tons in hand for Neil Callan.

Connections were confident about her chances in the Lowther at York, but she may have ran into a special filly in Brian Meehan's Lady Of The Desert,who quite simple blew her away. It will be interesting to see how Meehan's Conniption performs against the likely favourite.

There'sacracking support card at Newbury and unfortunately the punters at Ayr will be robbed of the chance of seeing King Kieren riding in the flesh as he is bound for the Berkshire venue. I reckon Fallon should havecome north as I'm not that keen on his chances down south. The opening nursery looks a match between Richard Hannon's LA PANTERA(1.50) and Marcus Tregoning's Haadeeth.The latter's stable has really hit form and the gelding got off the mark on his debut at Kempton last month and looks sureto go well. Richard Hughes's mount has been off the track since landing a maiden fillies' race at Goodwood in May. She looked auseful sort that day and I'm confident her yard will have her fit and ready today.

The Mill Reef Stakes looks booked for the Meehan yard with RADIOHEAD(2.20) looking a class apart from his rivals in this Group 2. The Johannesburgcolt looks a real flying machine and put up afine showwhen finishing strongly into third behind Borderlescottin the Nunthorpe. He may have been unlucky that day as he was bumped at the start and dropped to the rear. The chestnut tries six furlongs for the first time today but that should be right up his street, but I fear he won't be a working price.

EdDunlop has booked Mick Kinane for BROOMIELAW(2.50) in the Heritage Handicap and that's worth noting. The son of Rock Of Gibraltar has very few miles on the clock and has ran only three times since making debut at Newmarket three years ago. A two year absence didn't stop him turning over odds-on favourite Laahebat HQ in August and if connections can keep him sound he could be a Cambridgeshire shout.

Willie Haggas could have a profitable weekend and TRIPLE ASPECT(3.25) looks a sound bet in the Group 3 sprint. The colt's colours were lowered bythe 'Greek freak' Ialysosat Sandown last time but that does not tell the story.The Racing Post calls the race: Not pace to capitalise on prime draw and 9th after 1f,joined leader inside final furlong,hung badly left last 100yds,threw it away.Ryan Moore takes over in the plate from Liam Jones today and I think we'll see a more positive ride.

CAPTION(S):

AMY RYAN: First lady to land Gold?