'I just need a bit more luck' - Beasley eyes famous double after three more wins

Friday: Ayr

Whatever beats Commanche Falls when he bids for another big victory on Saturday, it will certainly not be the form of his jockey.

Connor Beasley recorded a treble on the second afternoon of the Ayr Gold Cup meeting, making it five winners over the first two days. And he rode a masterful race to land the Listed Arran Scottish Sprint Fillies' Stakes on Gale Force Maya, defying a wide draw and a drop back in trip on a mare who was landing her fifth success of the season.

Beasley went to the front two furlongs out on a six-year-old whose previous 12 wins had all come at 6f or further, and said: "She was drawn a bit in no man's land in 16, but she jumped well and I tracked across to the pace horses.

"From the three to the two I felt I had nothing else left to take me, but I had in the back of my mind the fact that she stays six furlongs well.

"She only does what she has to, that's why you have to keep her up to her work. She's a great mare for me and the team."

Trainer Michael Dods added: "Connor had to kick and start to stretch, he didn't want to wait for something with a turn of foot. She was probably idling a little bit, but she's hard to get past."

Beasley, who hopes to land his first Ayr Gold Cup on dual Stewards' Cup winner Commanche Falls, also took the 6f nursery on stablemate Prairie Falcon and the 7f nursery on Caernarfon for Mick Channon.

"Things are tipping away lovely," he said. "The horses are in great form and I'm getting on the right one. The ground is drying up, but Commanche Falls is pretty versatile and is in good form, I just need a bit more luck."

Prairie Falcon (right) was another winner for Michael Dods and Connor BeasleyCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Pillo fights them off

On the eve of his bid to end Scotland's long wait for an Ayr Gold Cup winner, Keith Dalgleish saw his Prince Of Pillo run away with the Listed Harry Rosebery Stakes.

The trainer, whose Volatile Analyst will be the home country's only runner in its richest Flat race, turned the two-year-old out five days after his fourth in the Flying Childers Stakes and was rewarded as the 9-2 shot bolted up by three and a half lengths under Callum Rodriguez.

"The doubt was there because he'd run the other day and we were backing him up quite quickly," Dalgleish said. "But if he hadn't been bumped at Doncaster he'd have been a comfortable third behind two very good two-year-olds.

"I thought he had a good chance to win today, although probably not in that fashion, and he's done it well. He's got so much natural pace and he's got a lovely relaxed attitude as well. I'd say he's a good one."

Volatile Analyst would be a first Scottish Ayr Gold Cup winner since Roman Warrior in 1975, and Dalgleish said: "I'd have preferred a bit more rain, but I'm happy enough with the draw and his prep's been good so fingers crossed."

Prince Of Pillo: an impressive winner under Callum RodriguezCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Easterby in front

Tim Easterby had two 'winners' in the Virgin Bet Ayr Bronze Cup as Danzan took the prize overall on the stands' side under Jason Hart and third-placed Mattice was the first home on the far side.

"That was fantastic," the trainer said. "Danzan has been second a lot of times, but it's no fault of his own and he was suited by the strong pace. Mattice is only a three-year-old and there could be some good days for him in the future."

Replays, results and analysis

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