Our Jonathan triumphs in Ayr Gold Cup
Last updated on .From the section Horse Racing
The 11-1 chance Our Jonathan came home strongly to land a keenly-contested Ayr Gold Cup.
Franny Norton's charge, trained by Kevin Ryan, was full of running throughout on the far side and pulled clear with a furlong to go.
He comfortably held off the challenge of the 6-1 favourite Eton Rifles with Son of the Cat (18-1) back in third.
It was a second Ayr Gold Cup winner in five years for Ryan after Advanced in 2007.
The victory also gave owner Dr Marwan Koukash back-to-back victories in the race after the Dandy Nicholls-trained Redford won in his colours 12 months ago.
After an impressive two-year-old campaign in 2009, Our Jonathan lost his way last season but was second to Pepper Lane, also over six furlongs, in the St Wilfrid Stakes at Ripon.
It was a sweet victory for Norton, one of the more experienced jockeys on the circuit.
"I've been on two horses in the past that I've been meant to ride and they have gone on to win, so this is great," he said. "This horse is special to Marwan too, so it's double delight really."
