Richard Fahey to saddle eight runners in Saturday’s William Hill Ayr Gold Cup at Ayr racecourse

RICHARD FAHEY is set to saddle eight runners in Saturday's William Hill Ayr Gold Cup.

He has Eastern Impact in stall seven, Withernsea in 12, Mr Lupton in 13 and Kimberella in 14 and Rene Mathis in 23.

Last year's runner-up Growl fared less well in 21 with Toscanini in 22 and Stamp Hill, the mount of Paul Hanagan, in 24.

Tim Easterby's Golden Apollo was first out of the hat and the trainer picked stall six. His other runner Orion's Bow will break from stall one.

Easterby told Racing UK: "I went low, I was on the track this morning and took an opinion that was where I wanted to go.

"You usually want to be where the pace it when it is good to soft, down to good, but when it becomes heavy it is a different world.

"The track is in magnificent condition apart from in one place, there's nothing you can do about it."

Shanghai Glory is in stall two for Charlie Hills, with Stake Acclaim in stall five for Dean Ivory.

Ice Age, a winner on Irish Champions Weekend for Eve Johnson Houghton, is in the middle in 11, with Johnny Barnes in 16 for John Gosden.

Donjuan Triumphant will leave stall 20 for Andrew Balding, while Mick Easterby's Perfect Pasture was last out of the hat and is in stall 19.