Dave Nevison's Saturday tips: "He looks a strong each-way bet"

Woven generally hits form for the Ladbrokes Ayr Gold Cup Festival and his run in the Bronze Cup last week must have been heartbreaking for his connections. He closed rapidly going from one side of the track to the other, and only just failed to get up. 

The nine-year-old has never been the most reliable to back up a good run, but I think he might do so this time.

He won this contest last season and goes well at the track, especially when a fast pace is guaranteed like it is here. 

The selection has been raised 3lb for his recent Ayr exertions but he is definitely well enough handicapped to strike, if things go right for him, as he's only a pound higher than last year’s victory. 

“Karl Burke Saturday” has become a stock phrase in the RacingTV studio and I expect to hear the phrase in my ear at least once on Saturday afternoon!

Hopefully I have hit on the right one to back with this lightly-raced, and unbeaten, son of Laurens, one of the best fillies Burke has trained. 

First Ambition won on his debut in a modest Newcastle novice but was then absent for eight months before reappearing with a hard-fought win under a penalty at Southwell last time out. 

That form looks strong and both the second and third won on their next outings. Despite his inexperience, First Ambition showed real determination last time, and looks a good prospect for handicaps.  

This race has failed to attract a maximum field, but a 24-runner handicap is still a pretty tough puzzle to solve, and there is often no better place to start than a William Haggas-trained runner. 

Treasure Time has only been seen three times this season, and hasn’t set the world alight, but definitely ran his best race last time out plus is a bigger price than Haggas-trained runners usually are in these Heritage events. 

He looked like he would be suited by this trip when he won (under Tom Marquand) at York last year and steps up in distance again now. If he builds on his latest run at Ascot, he looks a strong each-way bet. 

Dance In The Storm definitely looked unlucky at York last time out when finishing strongly after being short of room two furlongs out. Andrew Balding’s filly has progressed with each run since she returned from a short absence in June by winning at Sandown and then producing strong performances in defeat at Goodwood and York. 

She has been chosen this race from three possible entries over seven furlongs, which is obviously regarded as her perfect trip, and this fillies' only race definitely looks like a perfect opportunity for her to get back in the winners' enclosure.