Betting
AYR PREVIEW | The Ayr Gold Cup Handicap
24 runners go to post in the 6f Handicap on Saturday afternoon at Ayr
The feature race of the Ayr Gold Cup Festival gets underway on Saturday, with 24 runners declared in the six-furlong handicap at the Scottish course.
GREAT AMBASSADOR (5/1) holds favouritism in the contest for Ed Walker after several consistent performances over the season for his connections.
The gelding has won three of his five starts this year, including a Listed success in the Garrowby Stakes.
He is joined by stablemate POPMASTER (10/1), who has proven to be effective in handicaps after striking in two of his last three runs.
COMMANCHE FALLS (10/1) makes his first start for Michael Dods since winning the Stewards’ Cup at the Goodwood Festival, with stable counterpart PENDLETON (20/1) featuring alongside him.
JUST FRANK (10/1) is stepped up in class after claiming success at Thirsk last time out for Les Eyre, while Paul Midgley’s OSTILIO (12/1) returns to six furlongs after finishing fourth in the Beverley Bullet.
Kevin Ryan holds two entries in the contest with BIELSA (11/1) and HEY JONESY (33/1) representing the Hambleton-based trainer.
MY WAGYU (20/1) will be hoping for some rain after winning the Stewards’ Sprint on soft ground at Goodwood, while David Barron’s VENTUROUS (20/1) could relish the return to six furlongs.
David O’Meara sends two runners to Ayr, with Group winner SUMMERGHAND (14/1) and consistent handicapper GULLIVER (16/1) featuring for the Yorkshire trainer.
SNAZZY JAZZY (25/1) holds C&D form for Lawrence Millaney, while Michael Appleby’s EDRAAK (28/1) carries some interesting form into the contest.
SUNDAY SOVEREIGN (25/1) landed success at Chester last time out for Tim Easterby and stablemate COUNT D’ORSAY (28/1) placed in the Portland last weekend.
ABOVE (33/1) makes his first appearance since Royal Ascot for Stuart Williams, while Andrew Balding’s FIVETHOUSANDTOONE (33/1) makes his handicap debut.
MOTAGALLY (33/1) could bounce back to form for Charles Hills and Richard Fahey’s MR LUPTON (33/1) will need to show improvement to be competitive here.
Tom Dascombe’s BRAD THE BRIEF (40/1), Richard Hannon’s LEXINGTON DASH (40/1), Keith Dalgleish’s VOLATILE ANALYST (40/1) and Phillip Makin’s LAHORE (50/1) complete the line-up.
