AYR 15:40

All 25 ran.

Time: 1m 14.3s

Overrounds: Industry SP 143%, Betfair SP 102.6%

A consolation for the consolation means that in reality this is just a really competitive 0-85, and a slightly better race at Thirsk earlier in the month proved key as it provided the first 3 home, Winged Messenger and Woven able to reverse placings with Eternal Sunshine, who was beaten favourite without being seen to best effect in this race for the second year in a row; the field raced in 2 groups, those in stalls 13 and upwards coming near side, with the exception of the winner from stall 12, who joined the bigger group far side that held the advantage, which makes the effort of the runner-up all the more remarkable and suggests that Irish Nectar ought to be winning again soon, too.

WINGED MESSENGER put the icing on the cake of a tremendous season, not out of the first 3 in 8 starts despite coming up against 80 rivals and seeing off 24 of them on this occasion with his best effort yet; hampered start, held up, travelled well, pushed along over 2f out, headway over 1f out, led final 100 yds, just held on; he was arguably fortunate to hold on given the ground the runner-up made up in other group, but that's secondary to his progressive profile since fitted with current headgear combination and it's not stretching it to think he could be back for the main event next year.

WOVEN hasn't won the races one of his ability should have, but he'd dropped below the mark he defied at Haydock last year and ran a cracker refitted with cheekpieces for the first time in a while, going like the best horse at the weights and simply unlucky this time; held up, travelled well, had to wait for gap over 2f out, headway over 1f out, finished well, just failed, first home in group; he deserves to gain compensation, but could hardly be considered a banker to gain it.

ETERNAL SUNSHINE was unable to complete a remarkable 4-timer despite the favourable terms, 2 lb lower than when successful for the same rider in the Portland last weekend, but she remains in good heart and perhaps wasn't seen to best effect given she almost lost her feet at the start, for all it cost her little ground; stumbled badly start, soon led main group, pushed along around halfway, headed final 100 yds, no extra late on.

KATS BOB has already had a most productive year, his mark going up by over a stone and earning 5 wins along the way, but he's still holding his form well, making the frame for a third consecutive start despite typically getting awash with sweat; prominent, outpaced over 2f out, rallied.

TERRITORIAL KNIGHT couldn't quite uphold recent standards given the margin he was behind those in the frame, but his recent form appeals as strong and he's still one to be viewing positively considering his relative lack of experience in a race like this, doing best of the quartet of 3-y-os; in touch, pushed along over 2f out, one paced.

KELPIE GREY ran creditably in a deeper race than he usually contests; prominent, pushed along around halfway, no extra final 100 yds; he's at least as effective over further and is a C&D winner with a view to him potential taking up his entry here the following day.

IRISH NECTAR is a confirmed mudlark - and a well treated one again now - and he'll be high on the shortlist wherever he turns up next this autumn provided he gets his ideal conditions, doing well under the circumstances in making up lots of ground to come out second best in his group; raced off the pace, pushed along around halfway, headway over 1f out, finished well, had a hopeless task from position.

MISTER SOX had been close behind the winner and third at Thirsk, and ahead of the second, so this was just a respectable effort in the circumstances given how much further he was beaten here; mid-field, pushed along from halfway, one paced.

WOBWOBWOB (IRE) has shown this year that he's not quite so good as he once was (won the Silver Cup here back in 2023 off 6 lb higher) and though not disgraced, this trip is perhaps on the sharp side nowadays, doing his best work late, like when runner-up over C&D earlier in the year; slowly into stride, in rear, uncomfortable with pace, headway 2f out, ran on.

BROOKLYN NINE NINE (IRE) ran what has become a typical race for him, taking little interest in the early stages, hardly worth forgiving what happened at the start given his overall record; hampered start, soon behind, struggling long way out, headway 2f out, ran on; the refitting of headgear could help.

AZURE ZAIN (FR) was third home among those drawn high and is best not judged on this run, asked to contest some of the most competitive handicaps in his short career so far; prominent, effort over 2f out, stayed on.

YAASER (IRE) never looked like getting involved in such a competitive race, but that shouldn't be held against him if he turns out again the following day, remembering that he won at this meeting last year off a similar turnaround; held up, ridden over 2f out, never a threat.

JONNY CONCRETE (IRE) was too free in a change of headgear (blinkers instead of cheekpieces) to see things out after a 7-week absence; chased leaders, took strong hold, pushed along over 2f out, weakened final 1f.

MOONSTONE BOY (IRE) in cheekpieces instead of blinkers, has done most of his racing (and all of his winning) at shorter and he's best forgiven this run having raced in the near-side group; dived right leaving stalls, raced off the pace, ridden over 2f out, kept on.

MUSICAL TOUCH (IRE) in first-time cheekpieces, fared no better than last time but was possibly unsuited by conditions; mid-division, ridden before halfway, weakened inside final 1f; he's compiling a good record on all-weather with a view to the winter.

MANILA SCOUSE had shaped as if needing the run up against the first 3 at Thirsk but went backwards from that, even accounting for him being in the disadvantaged group; close up, pushed along around halfway, left behind over 1f out.

FORTAMOUR (IRE) produced a rare below-par effort away from his beloved Ripon; chased leaders, pushed along before halfway, weakened 1f out.

BRIGHT (IRE) ran poorly on this sort of ground for the first time (reported to have lost a hind shoe); mid-field, pushed along over 2f out, weakened over 1f out.

BEYOND BORDERS (IRE) in first-time hood, has quickly gone back off the boil; mid-field, pushed along 2f out, weakened final 1f.

MOSTAR DREAMS (IRE) strong in the betting, underperformed without an obvious excuse; hampered start, mid-field, effort before halfway, weakened over 1f out.

POWDERING (IRE) was well held back on turf; in touch, pushed along around halfway, lost place over 1f out.

TOP JUGGLER (IRE) unproven on the ground, wasn't in the same form as last time; close up, driven over 2f out, weakened over 1f out.

ORIENTAL PRINCE was unable to dominate; led group, pushed along before halfway, headed over 2f out, weakened.

BOSH (IRE) in first-time visor, continues to disappoint; in rear, soon off bridle, made no impression.

ARABIAN COBRA (IRE) followed a below-par effort with an even worse one; slowly into stride, mid-field, off the bridle before most, lost place over 2f out.