Newmarket and Ayr

Newmarket´s 8 race card today consists entirely of races for 2yo´s and as there are a total of 115 runners declared, it is clear that there is plenty of demand. The most interesting race is the Tattersalls Millions Fillies Auction Stakes over 6 furlongs at 17.10 CET, and worth 100,000 pounds in prize-money. Richard Hannon has an outstanding record in these sales races and has entered Tale Unfold (Richard Hughes) and Kalahaag (Ryan Moore), who must both be respected, while Aidan O´Brien sends over Queen of Spain (Johnny Murtagh) from Ireland. However none of these looks out of the top drawer, and possibly Khoor Sheed (Luc Cumani/ Kiern Fallon), third in a group race here last time, and the once-raced Warm Breeze (Michael Jarvis/ Philip Robinson) can be preferred. The latter created an enormous impression when winning on her debut at Nottingham in July, and although this is obviously a much tougher race, she could still remain unbeaten.

The big race at Ayr is the Ayr Bronze Cup over 6 furlongs at 17.30, one of two consolation races for tomorrow´s main feature the Ayr Gold Cup. These valuable sprint handicaps always attract huge fields, and there are 27 runners here. Clearly the draw will be important and it is generally felt that high numbers have an advantage. If this is the case (which is not 100% certain!) then the ones to consider are last year´s winner Baldemar (Barry McHugh), drawn 19, Coolminx /Paul Hanagan), drawn 23, both trained by Richard Fahey, ante-post favourite Courageous (Billy Cray), drawn 22 and Amenable (Adrian Nicholls), drawn 21, both trained by David Nicholls. Should middle numbers be favoured, then Oldjoesaid (Kevin Ryan/ Silvstre d Sousa) clearly coms into the reckoning. Almost anything could happen here but we give a tentative vote to Baldemar, who is only 2lbs higher than last year, when he showed that he has the right attitude for such cavalry charges,
.