Ayr Gold Cup Festival: Dave Nevison's best bets for day two

Has to be the selection due to a curious quirk of the penalty system.

The Jim Goldie-trained mare won two modest races recently, which earned her the 8lb maximum penalty for this race, but her big success in the Portland at Doncaster last Saturday has not altered her weight at all. In fact, she's able to race off a mark that is 2lb lower.

In addition, Lauren Young, who has been on board for all three of the wins, still claims 7lb, all of which suggests Eternal Sunshine is a blot on the handicap.

For good measure, Goldie had a swift double at Ayr on Thursday, one of them given a peach by Young.

Quiet Resolve has always run in handicaps of a higher grade than this 0-70 event and comes here on the back of an encouraging run in the Legends contest at Doncaster. 

He carries top weight in this modestly competitive event despite being rated lower than the ceiling and is now running off a mark 4lb lower than when he won a mile handicap at Newcastle at the end of last year. 

Apprentice jockey Warren Fentiman has ridden him three times and been second twice and a close up fourth on the other ,so clearly gets on very well with him. This race looks a very good opportunity for the combination to score. 

Fleur De Mer must have had a setback shortly after joining Martin Todhunter as he was off the course nearly a year after just one run for his new yard. 

It has taken a few runs for the gelding to hit form, but he might have come good just in time for this prestigious meeting. 

He has dropped down to a mark 12lb below his highest rating and 7lb lower than his latest win but showed last time when beaten a neck that this rating of 63 is not beyond him. 

He could still come on further for that run as he has the back form. This extended 1½ miles looks an ideal trip for Fleur De Mer.