Ayr Gold Cup

June 17, 2011
Online Betting King
Racing
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Ayr Gold Cup

Ayr Gold Cup betting preview

The £150,000 Ayr Gold Cup is the feature race on Saturday where Scot Jim Goldie will be seeking to train the first Scottish winner of the race since Roman Warrior twenty-five years ago. His charge, Hawkeyethenoo, has been installed as second favourite (at the time of writing) with sponsors William Hill at 8/1 for the 6 furlong dash. But it is the market leader Poet’s Place that looks the one to beat after David Barron’s 5yo gelding scored in the Ladbrokes Portland Handicap at Doncaster last weekend. Philip Makin looks all set to ride the easy-to-back 5/1 shot as the horse bids for his fifth win in just eight career runs, but will the American import deliver the goods once more?

Ayr Gold Cup latest odds:

The sprint, now the richest sprint handicap in Europe is certainly the highlight and the most anticipated event in the Scottish racing calendar. Open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older, the race in recent years has thrown up several large priced winners including the Clive Cox horse Jimmy Styles who won it twelve months ago at 14/1. The last favourite to win was in fact the David Barron trained Coastal Bluff in 1996 and he’ll be hoping Poet’s Place can emulate this success on Saturday especially if more rain arrives prior to post time. William Hill have already trimmed him into 5/1 from 11/2 but expect that price to ease up should the conditions suit.

But if we’re looking to oppose the favourite in this one several other interesting runners more than catch the eye; none more so than Definightly from the Roger Charlton yard. The 4yo ran a blinder at Goodwood on Saturday after making all under the stewardship of Jimmy Fortune, and if this gelding gets in with apprentice Adam Beschizza likely to take 5lb, he must merit consideration at 12/1. However, there are doubts as to whether Definightly will make the cut and Charlton has said the horse needs 10 to come out after confirmation stage. Another potentially well treated runner in the field is David Nicholls’ Victoire De Lyphar who has been in the winners enclosure at 22/1 and 9/1 in two of his last three runs, and looks sure to go well at another healthy price. The Irish 3yo is now available at 9/1 which looks a steal if being nailed close home at Goodwood last time is forgiven.

If Definightly fails to make the handicap cut, another horse from the Charlton stable must enter calculations. Genki, laid down his claim for the valuable prize by finishing third to Markab in the Betfred Sprint Cup at Haydock last time after disappointing in the Stewards Cup at Goodwood prior. The ground was rumoured to be the problem that day and all connections will be praying the Ayr ground is good or good to firm for the 6yo to run his race. Genki is officially rated at 103 for the dash and looks well in on his return to handicapping so might be worth an each way punt at 11/1 (William Hill).

Jonathan Woodgate has already tasted the agony of not making Spurs’ 25-man squad for the new season because of injury, and the ex-Real Madrid star will be hoping his horse Jonny Mudball (12/1) can give him something to cheer about at Ayr. The Tom Dascombe trained colt is owned by the footballer’s family and has ran creditably over six furlongs notching up a win at Newcastle towards the back end of July, but can he rediscover this winning form in Scotland? Well, he’ll have to reverse the placings with another runner in the field, Evens and Odds. It was the latter who had the bragging rights in the Stewards Cup after being tipped by Tom Segal (Pricewise) from the racing post in the morning, and he could again get in the money at 16/1.

While all the runners and riders are yet to be confirmed for the Ayr Gold Cup, it is worth noting that the last three winners of this race have been drawn in high numbers on the stands’ side. This may have a significant bearing on your selection should the Saturday’s race continue this trend. Favourite backers must ebb on the side of caution though before lumping on Poet’s Place as this tough sprint has a habit of throwing up unfancied outsiders!!