Sprint star headlines Ayr Cup double for Wood, Spencer and Cunningham

GEORGE WOOD was all rock n'roll as Run Boy Run completed a magical big-race double on an unforgettable day at Ayr.

- BY CRAIG SWAN

And the thrilled jockey was able to savour a sweet hat-trick with Candy winning Silver and Liverpool victorious in football's Merseyside Derby.

Wood, trainer Richard Spencer and owner Phil Cunningham were in Scottish dreamland as they bagged both big races.

Run Boy Run landed the £180,000 Ladbrokes Ayr Gold Cup when putting his head down to deny Desert Falcon, with Jubilee Walk third and well-backed 5/1 favourite Purosangue in fourth.

The 12/1 shot's win came just over an hour after the trio linked-up with Candy to bag the Silver Cup at 8/1 and chalk up an astounding 116/1 double.

Wood became the first jockey to do the Gold-Silver double since James Doyle in 2014 and said: “We flew up on Thursday with a big team of 11 runners and to come away with the two big ones is great. I'm sure we'll have a party.

“I think Run Boy Run really enjoyed the ground. I always thought he had a big one in him, but he just had slight excuses, I think, whereas here conditions were all in his favour.

“It turned out the draw was on the right side and it’s just great. I’ve had a lot to do with him this year and he always runs his race, he’s always thereabouts and deserves a big one. It’s great for Richard and Phil.

“I had a clear run, stayed in the straight line, kept it simple. We thought the high draws might be more favourable as it has been in the past, but all week they've been winning up that far side, so we were coming here confident.”