Trefor enters Ayr Gold Cup reckoning after York success

Charlie Hills is eyeing a possible tilt at the Ayr Gold Cup with Trefor following his narrow victory in the opening race of the Ebor Festival at York.

The four-year-old won at Doncaster and Ripon earlier this season and having been narrowly denied by Chief Mankato on his most recent appearance in a valuable event at Windsor nine days ago, he was a 7-1 shot for the curtain-raising Hong Kong Jockey Club World Pool Handicap on the Knavesmire.

He was all dressed up with nowhere to go two furlongs out, but once Kieran Shoemark got him into the clear and set about chasing The Man, he always looked likely to reel him in.

Air Force One was not so lucky and had to wait longer for a gap, finishing fast for third, beaten a head and half a length.

Hills said: “I’m delighted to get his head in front, he deserved that. He was a bit unlucky not to win last week and he was well-in really.

“I liked the draw today (stall seven), I think low numbers are always quite handy earlier on in this week and he travelled away like a really nice horse.

“The Ayr Gold Cup is an obvious step from here, but the key to him is fast ground, so we just need to keep an eye on that.”