Etherington Full Of Hope

Tim Etherington is excited about Fullandby's bid to complete the Portland Handicap/totesport.com Ayr Gold Cup double on Saturday.

The five-year-old will be attempting to become the first horse since Lochsong in 1992 to win both races in the same season.

He picked up a 5lb penalty for a narrow victory over Paradise Isle at Doncaster, bringing his burden at Ayr up to 9st 2lb with the weights unlikely to rise as top-weight Borderlescott is set to take his chance.

'Touch wood, he's marvellous and we're very happy with him,' said Malton trainer Etherington.

'All being well, we are ready to go on Saturday.

'He'll just have a canter or two, we'll turn him out and keep him fresh and well if we can.'

Although usually 10 days between the two races, this year there is only a week and Etherington admitted: 'It does make a difference to a degree.

'You've just got to hope that your horse is one of those that bounces back from it.

'Obviously it's hard to tell until they actually run, but we are pleased with the way he's come out of the race and I think he's fine.

'In the Ayr Gold Cup, you need the draw and the pace to be right, but I wouldn't swap him.

'We are all excited about it and it's just lovely to go there hopefully with a horse with some sort of chance.'

(C) PA Sport