Ayr Gold Cup tips and runners guide to Ayr 3.35 on Saturday

*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change

The last two winners of the Ayr Gold Cup, Summerghand and Bielsa, take their place in the line up for Saturday’s 15:35 as both horses bid for a second victory in the lucrative sprint contest.

Summerghand, last year’s hero, tops the weights after incurring a 5lb penalty for victory in last month’s Constantine Handicap, while 2021 scorer Bielsa was an eye-catching third in the Stewards’ Cup on his last run.

Despite failing to fire in the Wokingham Stakes and Stewards’ Cup, Orazio could be sent off as the favourite for the third race in a row and trainer Charlie Hills is hopeful the four-year-old could still develop into a Group horse.

The latest Ayr Gold Cup odds are on the Paddy Power website and Paddy Power app, otherwise Timeform’s guide to the runners as well as betting tips from the racing boffins can be found below.

Ayr Gold Cup tips

Timeform: A superb renewal of the Ayr Gold Cup and once more it could go the way of David O’Meara’s most likeable veteran SUMMERGHAND who shows absolutely no signs of slowing down at the age of nine and can swoop late to repeat his fine 2022 victory. Significantly just failed in Doncaster’s Portland and seems sure to be in the mix once more along with last year’s third Juan Les Pins. Orazio remains with potential and also can’t be ruled out. Bielsa, Northern Express and Ramazan complete the shortlist.

Ayr Gold Cup runners and riders

The following horses have been declared for the Ayr Gold Cup 2023.

Summerghand

Trainer: David O’Meara Jockey: Daniel Tudhope Age: 9 Weight: 10st 1lbs Draw: 15

A superb servant to connections who has got right back on song of late, dead-heating at York before posting a very good fourth of 22 at the Curragh (6f) when not enjoying the clearest of passages. Took this 12 monhs ago and he’s a big player once more.

*****

Rohaan

Trainer: David Evans Jockey: Ben Curtis Age: 5 Weight: 9st 12lbs Draw: 25

Smart 6f winner at his best but yet to hit top form this term, albeit not disgraced when tenth in Sprint Cup at Haydock 14 days ago. Enters calculations back in handicap company.

***

Fast Response

Trainer: K. R. Burke Jockey: Brandon Wilkie Age: 4 Weight: 9st 11lbs Draw: 3

Signed off last term with 6f Doncaster listed success and just as good this term, runner-up in listed race at Chester (6.1f, heavy) 48 days ago. Can’t be ruled out back in handicap now.

***

Northern Express

Trainer: Michael Dods Jockey: Paul Mulrennan Age: 5 Weight: 9st 11lbs Draw: 19

Consistent sort who has bagged Thirsk Hunt Cup and 7f York handicap this term. Good fifth of 19 back at York last time and this free-going sort is very much one for the shortlist dropped in trip.

****

Desert Cop

Trainer: Andrew Balding Jockey: P. J. McDonald Age: 3 Weight: 9st 10lbs Draw: 9

Posted a smart effort to win a valuable conditions race at Newcastle (6f, AW) on Good Friday and also a good sixth in King’s Stand at Royal Ascot. Well below par on his last two runs however so has something to prove.

**

Montassib

Trainer: William Haggas Jockey: Cieren Fallon Age: 5 Weight: 9st 9lbs Draw: 10

Scored at Newmarket (7f) in May and got back on track when eighth of 25 in International at Ascot (7f, good to soft) 56 days ago. Possibilities off a 1 lb lower mark.

***

Orazio

Trainer: Charles Hills Jockey: Jim Crowley Age: 4 Weight: 9st 9lbs Draw: 23

Low-mileage 4-y-o who looked a sprinter going places when landing 6f handicaps at Newmarket and Ascot during the spring. Only eighteenth of 27 in Stewards’ Cup at Goodwood last time but remains handily weighted and shouldn’t be written off after a break.

****

Gweedore

Trainer: Katie Scott Jockey: William Pyle Age: 6 Weight: 9st 8lbs Draw: 8

Likeable type who won over 7f at Doncaster and Newmarket this summer. Rare below-par efforts on his last two runs however so needs to bounce back.

***

Aberama Gold

Trainer: David O’Meara Jockey: Mark Winn Age: 6 Weight: 9st 8lbs Draw: 16

Dual winner for Keith Dalgleish in June and has taken his form to another level for his new yard with further 6f success at York and in Stewards’ Cup at Goodwood. Well held in Portland at Doncaster last time but no surprise to see this C&D scorer get back in the mix.

***

Escobar

Trainer: David O’Meara Jockey: David Allan Age: 9 Weight: 9st 8lbs Draw: 17

Smart performance when winning at Ascot (7f) last October. Yet to scale same heights this season though and only 20th in International at Ascot 14 days ago. Others appeal more.

**

Gorak

Trainer: Charlie Fellowes Jockey: Mikkel Mortensen Age: 4 Weight: 9st 8lbs Draw: 11

Twice a winner in 7f handicaps this spring. Not so good on his last two starts though, coming in last of nine in 6f listed race at Newmarket 28 days ago. Needs to get back on track.

***

Albasheer

Trainer: Archie Watson Jockey: Hollie Doyle Age: 5 Weight: 9st 8lbs Draw: 13

Dead-heated in 6f handicap at York (with Summerghand) before posting a good eighth of 22 at the Curragh 13 days ago. Saddles 5 lb penalty but can go well again.

***

Ramazan

Trainer: Richard Fahey Jockey: Oisin Orr Age: 3 Weight: 9st 7lbs Draw: 12

Scored at Haydock (7f) in July and resumed his progress to land 7f handicap at Chepstow 44 days ago. Up another 3 lb but he’s thriving so remains one to consider back at 6f.

****

Bielsa

Trainer: Kevin Ryan Jockey: Rowan Scott Age: 8 Weight: 9st 7lbs Draw: 1

2021 winner of this who has got right back to his best this term, third of 27 in Stewards’ Cup at Goodwood last time having also scored at York in the spring. Must enter calculations for yard which has a fine record in this contest.

****

Juan Les Pins

Trainer: Michael Appleby Jockey: Alistair Rawlinson Age: 6 Weight: 9st 6lbs Draw: 20

Hasn’t looked back since joining his current yard, third in this 12 months ago and garnering his 4th 6f handicap success at Nottingham in June. Excellent second in 6f York listed race last time so he’s very much in the picture.

****

Lethal Levi

Trainer: K. R. Burke Jockey: Clifford Lee Age: 4 Weight: 9st 4lbs Draw: 6

Yet to score this term but has posted some good efforts in defeat, fourth of 12 in 6.5f Doncaster handicap 8 days ago. Visor goes on and can make his presence felt again.

***

Magical Spirit

Trainer: Kevin Ryan Jockey: Tom Eaves Age: 7 Weight: 9st 3lbs Draw: 18

Landed the Ayr Silver Cup in 2020 and arrives in decent nick this time around, sixth of 15 to Aberama Gold at York (6f) 56 days ago. No forlorn hope off an easing mark for yard with an excellent record here.

***

Mr Wagyu

Trainer: John Quinn Jockey: Jason Hart Age: 8 Weight: 9st 3lbs Draw: 21

C&D winner who has also finished fifth and third in the past two runnings of this. Back on track when third of 22 at the Curragh (6f) 13 days ago so he ought to be in the shake-up once more.

***

Aleezdancer

Trainer: Kevin Ryan Jockey: Shane Gray Age: 4 Weight: 9st 3lbs Draw: 5

Kickstarted 2023 with success in the mud at Doncaster and back on form under similar conditions when fifth of 27 in Stewards’ Cup at Goodwood last time. Not ruled out if conditions turn very testing.

***

Probe

Trainer: Jennie Candlish Jockey: Frederick Larson Age: 5 Weight: 9st 3lbs Draw: 4

Resurgent for his new yard when a 6f winner at Wolverhampton and Newmaket in the spring. Off the track since coming in 12th in Bunbury Cup on July course 70 days ago but he goes well fresh so shouldn’t be underestimated.

***

Paws For Thought

Trainer: Donald McCain Jockey: R. Whearty Age: 5 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 7

Rattled off a hat-trick of 6f/7f handicaps wins in the summer. Poorly drawn when eighth in handicap at Chester (5.5f) 21 days ago and is the sort to bounce back.

***

Significantly

Trainer: Julie Camacho Jockey: Joe Fanning Age: 5 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 14

Resumed winning ways for current yard at Haydock in July and has continued in excellent form, just failing in Portland at Doncaster a week ago. Merits serious consideration off an unchanged mark.

****

Mondammej

Trainer: Antony Brittain Jockey: Cam Hardie Age: 6 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 2

Useful gelding at his best but is on a lengthy losing run and has been below form in recent outings too. It’s easy to look elsewhere.

**

Lequinto

Trainer: Tony Carroll Jockey: Connor Beasley Age: 6 Weight: 8st 13lbs Draw: 22

Quirky sort but he scored at Windsor in June and has posted solid efforts in defeat at Windsor and Wolverhampton since. This demands more, however.

***

It Just Takes Time

Trainer: Mark Walford Jockey: Dougie Costello Age: 5 Weight: 8st 13lbs Draw: 24

Gained his second success of 2023 at Ripon in June but he arrives below form, only sixth at Doncaster 8 days ago. Others are preferred.

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