Continent enjoys better luck at last

Continent got up in the final stride to snatch the #100,000 Tote Ayr Gold Cup at the Scottish course this afternoon.

Darryll Holland brought the 10-1 shot with a devastating late run on the stands` side to pip the far side group headed by Brevity (22-1) to land the #65,000 first prize by a neck with Smokin Beau (20-1) half-a-length away third. Antonio Canova (11-1) was fourth.

It was Holland`s second win in the six-furlong cavalry charge following Royale Figurine in 1995 and a second success for trainer David Nicholls.

The Thirsk handler took the prize 12 months ago with Bahamian Pirate and he also captured the consolation prize, the Silver Cup, with Tayif on Friday.

As expected, the 28 runners split into two groups with the far side leading thanks to a furious pace set by Get Stuck In and Banjo Bay.

Brevity and Smokin Beau came through from their middle draws to lead the stands` side with Brevity winning that battle.

But just as it looked as though he was going to lift his eighth handicap of the season for his ninth success of the year, Continent flew out of the pack on the opposite side of the track.

Making up several lengths in the final furlong under a power-packed ride from Holland, he got up to snatch the spoils in the shadow of the post.

Continent has not enjoyed much luck this season and was the chief sufferer in a rough race for the Vodafone Stewards` Cup at Goodwood.

But a delighted Holland told Channel 4: 'I rode this horse at Goodwood and got the blame for missing the break so I`ve made amends for the cock up I made.

'He`s a horse whose always been threatening to win a race of this calibre and today it went perfect - he jumped well and finished good.'

The jockey had not be concerned about racing from stall 22 and he added: 'I was never worried about being drawn on the stands` side because I didn`t think the winner would come from the far side.

'Class showed in the last half furlong.'

A happy Nicholls also felt thatthe four-year-old was overdue a change of fortune.

'I spoke to his owner Mister St George today and said to him someday, some how he`s going to get lucky. He`s got lucky today and he`d been unlucky every time he`s run this year, but what can you say now he`s won the Ayr Gold Cup.

'I would have appreciated a bit more cut in the ground reading his form but it did not seem to bother him. They`ve done a tremendous job on the track.'