Ayr Gold Cup

the Ayr Gold Cup (6 furlongs handicap 16.20 CET) is the highlight of the Western Meeting, Scotland´s top flat fixture, and looks almost impossible race to unravel. It still unclear where the best ground is, although the results of the last 2 days suggest that low numbers could have an advantage. But after more rain yesterday, the ground will be much softer and it could well ride differently today. In that case Regal Parade (David and Adrian Nicholls), drawn right against the stands rail in 27, comes into the reckoning. He goes well on the ground and in fact won this in 2008 on heavy. In the meantime he has been running well in group races - including group one wins on soft ground at Haydock and Deauville. He is the class act in this field, and if the draw is not a problem, we feel he has to go close. Others to consider are Mayson (Richard Fahey/ Paul Hanagan), possibly the choice of his stable´s 5 runners, Eton Rifles (David Elsworth/ Ted Durcan),Our Jonathan (Kevin Ryan/ Fra nny Norton) and Irish hope Croisultan (Liam McAteer/ Niall McCullagh), third in a group race at the Curragh last week. An indication of the problem facing the punter here is the fact that one leading bookmaker is going 14-1 the field!
The Silver Cup at 15.15, the consolation race, is equally tricky and also has 26 runners. We like a David Nicholls runner here as well,- top-weight Nasri (Matt O´Connell), a close 4th in the Stewards Cup at Goodwood. Fahey has 7 runners here, the pick of which could be Valery Borzov (Hanagan), but the trainer himself admits that his stable jockey had a very tough task to make a decision here.
The group 3 race for 2yo fillies at 15.45 looks almost as difficult as the handicaps, with nothing standing out on form, Kohala (David Barron/ Phillip Makin), top-rated but only just - and Prince of Orange (Rae Guest/ Durcan),up in grade after an easy maiden win at Lingfield, are the two we like best here,

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Risky Art - Montaser - Zakreet
2. Race: Fathsta - Parisian Pyramid - Cheveton
3. Race: Kohala - Miss Work Of Art - Misty Conquest
4. Race: Mac`S Power - Pepper Lane - Eton Rifles
5. Race: Honeymead - Mr Rainbow - Mullins Way
6. Race: Poet - Hot Prospect - Cracking Lass
7. Race: Sarrsar - Harrison George - Osteopathic Remedy
8. Race: Sharp Relief - Bollin Greta - Lexington Bay


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