Don’t Touch in a timely reminder

Unbeaten from three starts, Don’t Touch put up a career-best performance to land the William Hill Great St Wilfrid at Ripon and could now seek to claim an even bigger prize in next month’s Ayr Gold Cup – the most valuable Flat race in Scotland.

Sent off the 4-1 favourite, Tony Hamilton had him buried on the near side as Kimberella went for home under Adrian Nicholls.

On the far side Poyle Vinnie and Eccleston were to the fore, but it soon became apparent they were some way behind and Kimberella was a long way clear.

The three-year-old Don’t Touch, considerably less experienced than rivals, found another gear close home, though, to prevail by a head, with Tatlisu third for the second consecutive year and Eccleston fourth.

Robin O’Ryan, assistant trainer to Malton-based Fahey, said “He’s a good horse and he’s one of those you just don’t know how good he could be.

“The Ayr Gold Cup has already been mentioned, but whether that will be next or not, I don’t know.

“He’s got a good temperament and Tony gave him a super ride,” he added.

As for Hamilton, one of the weighing room’s most under-rated riders, he said: “I had to decide which way to go because I was right on the split.

“A gap appeared about two out and he shot through it so I knew then I had a good chance.

“I can’t see why he wouldn’t go to Ayr.”

Fahey was also on the mark with winners at Newmarket and Doncaster on what was another big Saturday for the trainer who will be looking to excel at York this week.

With the Knavesmire drying following Friday’s rain, and a dry forecast, there is every likelihood of Epsom Derby hero Golden Horn vying for supremacy against dual Guineas winner Gleneagles in Wednesday’s £850,000 Juddmonte International.

The first time that the Derby and 2000 Guineas winner have met in more than a decade, the 10-furlong test is rightly being billed as the race of the year and a reaffirmation of the Juddmonte’s well-earned status as the highest-rated contest in the world. Final declarations will be confirmed this morning,

Meanwhile, owner Nick Peacock is looking forward to seeing both Wicklow Brave and Simenon carry his colours with distinction at the Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor Festival which is expected to attract in the region of 90,000 spectators..

Wicklow Brave switches back to the level in the Betfred Ebor itself after a disappointing run in the Galway Hurdle, while Simenon heads for the Lonsdale Cup, a race in which he was beaten just a head in 2013.

Wicklow Brave won his first two starts under Flat rules earlier this year before failing to get the trip in an attritional Queen Alexandra Stakes at Royal Ascot. Peacock said: “He’s in good order and all being well he’ll be at York next week. I don’t think Galway suited him that much. It was a rough old race and I think that run is probably best ignored.”

Simenon has finished second, fourth and fourth again in the last three renewals of the Ascot Gold Cup, but failed to fire in the Goodwood Cup last time.

“He ran very well in the race two years ago and I think York suits him a lot better at Goodwood,” said Peacock, who harbours Melbourne Cup dreams for both runners.