Equilateral was fourth in this race last year and he is fancied to improve on that finish with the conditions more in his favour this time around. A 5f dash on quick ground looks his ideal situation and Ryan Moore, who was aboard when cruising home at Doncaster, is back in the saddle.
The yard won this race in 2016 and he looks overpriced at 7/2.
Single figure draws tend to dominate this race and Keith Dalgleish's Boston George looks massive value at 16/1 from box 2. He finished with running left in a valuable York handicap on this latest start and Sean Davis, who is having a brilliant season, shaves off 3lb.
3-y-o's have won three of the last four renewals and he is one of three.
John Gosden is in unbelievable form and we fancy Waldstern to build on his recent breakthrough. He is an impeccably-bred individual who found improvement for the first-time visor and he receives plenty of weight from the favourite.
David Simcock does has a brilliant record in the race but off top weight at the grand old age of 7 Desert Encounter requires a big run.
Sir Michael Stoute doesn't send many up to Ayr (just one in the past 12 months) and Alkaraama looks a worth favourite in the Silver Cup. We rarely advise backing the jolly in these races however his chances are clear and with quotes of 5/1 still available he possesses decent value.
He is yet to finish outside the top three in his career and is officially 2lb 'well in'.
Pierre Lapin is a half-brother to top-class sprinter Harry Angel, who won this race in 2016, and we believe he can make the most of the 3lb he receives from the form choice Mystery Power.
The manner in which he skipped clear on debut suggests he is a very smart colt and second and third that day have both gone on to pick up races.
Richard Fahey has two fine chances here, with Aleneva being the clear form pick having fended off a subsequent listed winner on debut. It is a competitive event and she will have to be primed after a break but the yard know how to ready one and PJ McDonald is having a brilliant season.
She was also sent off joint favourite on debut suggesting she is held in high regard.
Caradoc has progressed into a nice horse and he is expected to run a big race as he seeks his third win in four attempts at 10f.
That record suggests this is very much his optimum trip and Ryan Moore has been booked by the inform yard.
Kevin Ryan often targets this race (won three of the last 10) and he has two cracking chances in Hey Jonesy and Major Jumbo.
The former has some of the best form in the race and can be forgiven for his latest outing, whilst the latter drops down from group company and will be much more comfortable in these calmer waters.
