Ayr Wednesday off

Mark Pitman described it as “sod’s law” that a few hours after agreeing to speak for the first time about his new role as a stalls handler, principally as a favour to former weighing-room colleague Luke Harvey, he got kicked live on television at Royal Ascot.

Enhancing last year’s Qatar Racing Champion Stakes third will be the main aim for Almaqam after his agonising Juddmonte International Stakes defeat at York – but Ed Walker is still to decide whether to be “greedy” and take in a trip to Ireland en route to Ascot.

Trainer Andy Slattery has mapped out a clear plan for Grade 1 winner, Fleur In The Park ahead of the National Hunt season. Margaret O'Rourke's son of Walk In The Park ended his novice season over fences with an arguably fortuitous Grade 1 WillowWarm Gold Cup success at Fairyhouse's Easter festival. He then proved this was no fluke by finishing second to Western Fold in the three-mile Champion Novice Chase at the Punchestown Festival.