Collector's item for Royale Figurine

Racing

ROYALE FIGURINE landed a substantial gamble to take the Ayr Gold Cup yesterday, holding on by a neck and a head under Darryll Holland to beat No Extras and Patto. The four-year-old filly, home-bred by her owner Craig Pearson, was backed from 14-1 to 8-1 on-course.

With Master Of Passion a close fourth, the principals were all drawn high, on the stands rail. Cool Jazz, from the number one stall, was a long way clear on the far side, but could finish only fifth. John Carroll was stretchered off the course with suspected broken ribs after an ugly fall from Shikari's Son, who was brought down in a scrimmage two out.

Elsewhere the focus was on the future, with two two-year-olds turning in performances which took them to the forefront of the betting for next year's 2,000 Guineas. At Newbury Kahir Almaydan landed the Mill Reef Stakes by six lengths and at The Curragh Danehill Dancer landed the odds in the National Stakes by a length and a half.

The winning styles were very different. Willie Carson sent Kahir Almaydan on from the start and from halfway the Distinctly North colt, the 99th winner of the season for John Dunlop, lengthened right away from his rivals.

Danehill Dancer, trained by Neville Callaghan, quickened well to lead approaching the final furlong and had plenty in hand over Peter Chapple- Hyam's staying-on Polaris Flight at the line and will take on the 2,000 Guineas favourite Alhaarth in the Dewhurst Stakes next month.

In the Irish St Leger there was another one-two for British stables when Paul Cole's Strategic Choice narrowly defeated Barry Hills-trained Moonax. It gave Cole a Group 1 double, as his Posidonas had earlier taken the Gran Premio d'Italia in Milan.

British raiders are out and about in Europe today. Longchamp stages the Prix de la Salamandre for two-year-olds, a race won last year by Pennekamp. The filly With Fascination, runner-up to Tagula in the Prix Morny, will lead the home side's defence, but Chapple-Hyam is very keen on the chances of his Woodborough.

All eyes will be on the Derby runner-up Tamure in the Prix du Prince d'Orange, though his trainer John Gosden, who will inspect the Paris track this morning, says the colt will not run if the ground is heavy. Chapple- Hyam's Spectrum also appears for the first time since Epsom in the 10- furlong contest.

Racing results, page 27