Charlie Hill, the one-time deep sea diver who survived a 12-day stay in intensive care last year, hopes to win the Ladbrokes Ayr Gold Cup this weekend with a sprinter named after his brush with death.

His horse Northern Ticker is favourite to land the £180,000 dash and fulfil a lifelong ambition for Darlington-based Michael Dods – a trainer who the owner admits he has horses with almost by accident.

The progressive three-year-old is quoted at just 6-1 by the race sponsor, having warmed up by scoring his third success from just seven starts in a competitive 6f handicap at York last month.

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Published on 16 September 2025inBritain

Last updated 14:54, 16 September 2025