Ayr Gold Cup Day
Ayr Gold Cup Day
It’s Ayr’s principal Flat meeting of the year on Saturday and the historic Ayr Gold Cup (3.35), a race that was first run in 1804, the obvious highlight. There’s a strong supporting card as you’d expect, including the consolation Silver Cup (2.25).
There’s also the Listed Doonside Cup, the Group 3 Firth Of Clyde Stakes and some other competitive handicaps, alongside a 7f novice event.
13:15 - Handicap (1m)
Kevin Ryan’s HI ROYAL isn’t the force of old, but he’s edging down the handicap and rates a lively outsider in this opener.
The five-year-old was never involved at Ascot last time, but he’s got some strong form to his name this season, having run to Racing Post Ratings of 109, 104 and 107 in the Thirsk Hunt Cup, Coral Challenge at Sandown and the Summer Cup, back at Thirsk.
That gives him a real chance off his reduced official mark of 98 and the likelihood of ease underfoot is of no concern, having chased home Chaldean in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket on soft ground in May 2023.
Selection: Hi Royal
13:50 - Doonside Cup Stakes (Listed Race) (1m2f)
The lightly raced ALMERIC created a good impression when winning the Listed Feilden Stakes at Newmarket on his seasonal reappearance in April and, while he’s not been seen since, looks the one to beat here with underfoot conditions likely to be ideal.
Successful over a mile on soft ground at York last October, he took a big step forward when winning at Newmarket in the spring, improving on his maiden success by a whopping 24lb, according to Racing Post Ratings.
He sets the standard on official figures and is open to further improvement now tackling 1m2f for the first time.
Selection: Almeric
14:25 - Ayr Silver Cup Handicap (6f)
There’s a bit of guesswork involved in both the Silver and Ayr Gold Cup in terms of the draw, but it’s hard to imagine William Haggas’ BINHAREER being far away.
The three-year-old relishes soft ground and has already shown his liking for this course-and-distance, having won readily here in July.
He’s now 11lb higher, but has run only three times at this distance and is open to plenty more improvement.
Selection: Binhareer
15:00 - Firth Of Clyde (Group 3) 6f
There’s not a great deal between several of these on ratings, but I’m expecting Roger Varian’s COMING ATTRACTION to complete her hat-trick.
A runaway winner on the Polytrack at Chelmsford in June, she followed up in good style in a conditions race at Chester and heads the ratings in this alongside Argentine Tango. She’s open to more improvement than that rival and should appreciate the soft ground.
Selection: Coming Attraction
15:35 - Ayr Gold Cup (6f)
Julie Camacho’s MILFORD looks set to outrun his length odds in the feature Ayr Gold Cup, the three-year-old likely to have been considerably shorter in the market, had it not been for a poor run at York last time.
The selection had valid excuses for that no-show, however, a return to this season’s best efforts would put him right in the mix and he’s got the potential to improve for the addition of first-time cheekpieces.
Selection: Milford
16:10 - British Stallion Studs EBF Novice Stakes (7f)
Those that have run set only a fair level and it may pay to take a chance on Richard Fahey’s newcomer, ARABIAN DESERT.
The son of Frankel looks a likely type on breeding, being a brother to mile two-year-old winner Latest Generation (RPR 105) and a half-brother to 7f Group 3 runner-up, Daneh.
The yard has an 18 per cent strike-rate with its juvenile runners here.
Selection: Arabian Desert
16:40 - Jordan Electrics Handicap (Div 1) (7f)
KELPIE GREY is admirably consistent, Jim Goldie’s gelding having finished in the money on each of his four starts this season.
He goes particularly well at this track - two wins, four seconds and two thirds coming from his previous nine appearances here.
He’s got a good record with ease underfoot, too.
Selection: Kelpie Grey
17:15 - Jordan Electrics Handicap (Div 2) (7f)
Karl Burke’s OUR MIGHTY MO hasn’t been at his best so far this season, but it’s possible that the forecast soft ground and addition of first-time headgear can bring about a return to form.
A two-time winner, the three-year-old seems to save all his best efforts for when there’s cut in the ground.
He’s not badly treated at present, just 4lb higher than when scoring at Haydock on soft ground almost a year ago.
Selection: Our Mighty Mo
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation
