- Summerghand bids to become the first back-to-back Gold Cup winner since 1931
- Eight races on day three from 1.15pm-5.10pm including the Firth Of Clyde at 3.00pm
- Recommended bets: 
- Isla Kai to win 1.15pm
- Helvic Dream to win 1.50pm
- Monsieur Kodi to win 2.25pm
- Great Generation to win 3.00pm
- Paws For Thought to win 3.35pm
- Mister Daydream to win 4.10pm
- Deputy to win 4.45pm
- Furzig to win 5.20pm

Virgin Bet Ayr Gold Cup day is the central attraction of the season on the Flat at west of Scotland venue and Saturday's big race carries a top prize of more than £90,000 as a field of 25 get set for battle.

The six-furlong contest is one of Britain's key autumn sprint handicaps and amongst the most prestigious on the calendar.

No horse has won back-to-back runnings of the Ayr Gold Cup since Heronslea won the 1930 and 1931 runnings, but that is what Summerghand will attempt for trainer David O'Meara.

They race from 1.15pm-5.20pm on Saturday at Ayr and once more we have a race-by-race guide to the action from the Racing Post.

1.15pm - Virgin Bet Daily Price Boosts Handicap (1m)

Titan Rock is a former winner at this meeting in 2021 and is well treated on that form, while he come into this off the back of a pleasing second at Thirsk three weeks ago.

John Quinn's charge is a contender but ISLA KAI delivered a second win of the season at Ripon last time and Nigel Tinkler's consistent gelding must be a major player despite being rated 4lb higher.

Racing Post selection: Isla Kai @ 7/2

1.50pm - Virgin Bet Daily Extra Places Doonside Cup Stakes (Listed, 1m2f)

A wide open contest following the defection of My Prospero. Ralph Beckett brings Luckin Brew back from 11 months on the sidelines and the promising filly needs a close look in the market.

Last time out Glorious Goodwood handicap winner Royal Rhyme merits a crack up in grade for Karl Burke, but HELVIC DREAM was third in a Group 3 at the Curragh last month and Noel Meade's raider is a Group 1 winner at his best. This is a good chance for him to shine.

Racing Post selection: Helvic Dream @ 11/2 

2.25pm - Virgin Bet Ayr Silver Cup Handicap (6f)

A winner at Glorious Goodwood (6f, soft) last month, MONSIEUR KODI ran well again next time in the Great St Wilfrid at Ripon and tuned up for this with a close-up fifth in a £51k Racing League contest at Wolverhampton earlier this month.

He has progressed throughout this camping, boasts an excellent strike-rate and races from an unchanged mark here for Richard Fahey and Oisin Orr. 

Racing Post selection: Monsieur Kodi @ 16/1

3.00pm - Virgin Bet Best Odds Daily Firth Of Clyde (Fillies' Group 3, 6f)

The Owen Burrows-trained Raqiya 2-3 so far and very much on the up after stylish wins at Salisbury and Haydock lately. The Shadwell-owned filly is a major contender under Jim Crowley, though perhaps the market has over-estimated her.

Pretty Crystal has been holding her own in top fillies' contests, but GREAT GENERATION has won both starts thus far at Haydock and Chester for Marco Botti and the daughter of Holy Roman Emperor is another for whom better things lie in store. She might be the value shout.

Racing Post selection: Great Generation @ 9/2 

3.35pm - Virgin Bet Ayr Gold Cup Handicap (Heritage Handicap, 6f)

Summerghand would be a hugely popular winner and the David O'Meara's likeable gelding should give it a good shot, but with 10st 1lb on his back this may be asking a lot, even for him. Bielsa is another former winner back for another crack in a typically open field. 

Ramazan is one of two 3YO contenders this year and they have a solid enough record, including two wins since 2015. He's got sound claims for the Richard Fahey/Oisin Orr combo and isn't overlooked easily, but at a big price PAWS FOR THOUGHT makes some appeal for trainer Donald McCain.

After a wind op, he won three on the spin over 6f/7f in June/July and his two most recent efforts at Chester saw him drawn wide and unable to get his preferred lead, so are duly worth forgiving.

He is still on a fair mark and has in-form Robert Whearty taking off 5lb in the saddle – they should not be dismissed in a race where LiveScore Bet pay SIX places. 

Racing Post selection: Paws For Thought @ 28/1 

4.10pm - Jordan Electrics EBF Nursery (1m)

City Burglar is winless in three so far, but has shown a good deal of promise and is respected, while last month's Thirsk scorer Sailthisshipalone yet another likely sort for Richard Fahey and Oisin Orr on a day when they have plenty.

MISTER DAYDREAM was a typical Charlie Johnston improver when winning on handicap bow at Bath over this trip a week ago, finding plenty for pressure, and he could be the sort for further progress.

Racing Post selection: Mister Daydream @ SP

4.45pm - Get Home Safe With Thistle Cabs Handicap (7f)

A field of 14 are declared for this, but four of them are engaged to run here on Friday afternoon, so the complexion could alter dramatically.

DEPUTY didn't run up to his best here in July, but Michael Dods' charge was in cracking form this time last year and had two good runs in the spring when he reappeared, so it may be worth forgiving that effort here 75 days ago. He is normally reliable and should bounce back.

Racing Post selection: Deputy @ SP 

5.20pm - Bearingboys - More Than Just Bearings Handicap (1m5f)

Recent Thirsk scorer Vaynor has form at this longer trip and must be shortlisted for Charlie Hills, with Jim Crowley an excellent partner, but FURZIG was close behind him that day, the latest of four solid efforts in defeat this season.

He is 2lb better off now and will have no issues at this longer trip. On a day when they are littered with chances, he might ensure the Fahey/Orr team sign off on a high note.

Racing Post selection: Furzig @ SP