Paul Mulrennan: hoping for another huge thrill with American Affair

With some good rides booked over the three days, it was brilliant to kick off the Ayr Gold Cup Festival with a treble on Thursday.

I’m not certain what the plan is for Eve’s Boy, but he’ll be a lovely horse for next year. He’d shown enough on debut, and Michael (Dods) had given him three months off since his last run, which was simply a blip. He’s beaten a 91-rated horse - Catalyse - of Richard Fahey’s, so must be considered a valuable asset, which is fantastic for his locally based owner Allan McLuckie. 

Water Of Leith, and Eternal Sunshine, brought the yearly tally to 82 winners, six shy of last year’s total of 88. With three-and-a-half months of the year left, I’ll be pushing on in pursuit of a fourth century. There’s plenty of racing left, so with the AW season soon arriving, I’ll be striving to knock off the remaining 18 winners and more. If I can do it, that’s great, but if I can’t, I can’t. I’ll be giving it a good go! 

Ayr was riding perfect on Thursday, genuine good ground. We’re seeing fairly heavy dews so hopefully; the ground will retain some of that overnight moisture and stay the same through Friday and Saturday. 

Winning the Portland aboard American Affair was such a thrill. It was also pleasing for Barraston Racing, who had twice witnessed their horse miss claiming a share of the £100,000 Sunday Series Bonus at Haydock and Pontefract. 

Collectively, we thought we’d try something a little different at Doncaster, and it worked. He has the form in the book so, after winning the Portland, there wasn’t really a choice to make for Ayr. That said, there’s no denying that both Jordan Electrics, and Northern Express have also enjoyed superb seasons, and arrive at Ayr with solid chances. 

The Ayr Gold Cup is the one race everyone seeks to win. It’s hugely competitive and an extremely difficult race to win. Jim (Goldie) has saddled Stewards’ Cup, Northumberland Plate, and John Smith’s Cup winners, but should either American Affair or Jordan Electrics become the first Scottish-trained Ayr Gold Cup winner since Roman Warrior in 1975 that would represent a milestone achievement. 

Londoner contests the Virgin BetAyr Silver Cup off the back of what have been his best two runs since joining the yard. He’s slipped back to a good mark and we’re just seeking to find the key to him. A strong pace in first-time cheekpieces should assist, so I can envisage him running a big race. 

Track, trip, and ground are all fine for Diamondonthehill (1.15pm) in the opener, while Dianne Sayer’s Redarna (4.10pm) returns to familiar territory. He’s been a superstar for Dianne over the years. We won a Thirsk Hunt Cup together in 2022, and seven of his 15 career wins have come at Ayr. He was a game winner for Gina Mangan at Carlisle last month and these conditions should be perfect. 

Abduction (4.40pm) bypasses the Silver Cup bidding to win this race for the second time in three years. Truthfully, he hasn’t quite fired this season, but the form of his recent Musselburgh effort has been well-advertised since by Gressington (runner-up) and Dain Ma Nut In (sixth). 

There’s little more I can say on Euchen Glen (5.15pm). He returns to Ayr for the first time since winning the Johnstone Rose Bowl in June. His C&D form figures read 1141; he loves the place, so you must enjoy and appreciate riding horses like him when you can. 

Franny Norton retires with a full book of rides at his beloved Chester. He’s a great guy, an old school character, who will be much missed across the weighing room. 

I always remember that many years ago, he took the time to call me after I’d lost a job somewhere to offer words of encouragement. If you did something wrong during a race, he was never the type to come in shouting and roaring, he’d simply take you to one side offering feedback in a respectful manner. He’s such a good mentor to the younger lads. 

Franny rode nearly 2,000 winners during a 35-year career. At the age of 54, he’s still incredibly fit and dedicated. In his younger years, he boxed for England, the all-round athlete. Franny was personally responsible for introducing me to George Wilson at Liverpool’s John Moores University, who has been instrumental in helping me out with my weight and diet. I’ll always be grateful for that initial introduction. 

Even at Ayr yesterday, he was still cracking jokes. It wouldn’t matter what else was going on in your life, once you got in that weighing room, Franny Norton would light it up. We’ll miss that sense of humour! 

Franny always had a sense of grit to keep going, never letting things get to him, which rubbed off positively on everyone else. Franny, we wish you and your wife Rachel, and the rest of your lovely family a fabulous day at Chester!