Horse Power: Juan Les Pins set to strike in the Ayr Gold Cup

JUAN LES PINS can win the Virgin Bet Ayr Gold Cup Handicap (Heritage Handicap) (3.35pm) at Ayr on Saturday afternoon. While at Newbury Michael Bell’s RED ZONE HERO can take the Group Two Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes (3.15pm).

Mick Appleby’s six-year-old has run some fine races in top sprints this summer and can land a well-deserved success in the six-furlong feature at the Scottish track. Juan Les Pins won four times last summer and hinted at more when landing a six-furlong handicap at Nottingham in June. He was then third to Saint Lawrence, only beaten just over a length, in the Wokingham Handicap at Royal Ascot 10 days later. He was then 10th in testing conditions in the Stewards’ Cup at Glorious Goodwood. Those extreme conditions were probably against Juan Les Pins, although he seems fairly versatile on most going.

Stepped up to Listed company he was a good third to Lezoo at Newmarket last month and an even better second to Commanche Falls in the BetGoodwin Stakes at York earlier this month. He is running off a career-high mark, although being in such good form and seemingly enjoying this type of big-field sprint, he looks sure to be in the firing line again. From a decent-looking draw in stall 20 and with luck with the breaks, Juan Les Pins may be able to finally get his head in front in a prestigious handicap.

As always there are plenty of dangers including David O’Meara’s admirable veteran and last year’s winner Summerghand; the Michael Dods-trained Northern Express – stepping down in trip from seven furlongs; 2021 winner Bielsa, from the Kevin Ryan stable who always do well in these races and in the Ayr Gold Cup in particular; and Liverpool FC fan Karl Burke’s Lethal Levi.

Tim Easterby’s DANZAN won the Bronze Cup last year and he can step up again to land the Virgin Bet Ayr Silver Cup Handicap (2.25pm). The eight-year-old Lawman gelding has, as ever, been on the go all season, winning at Thirsk in June and being placed a few times at the same venue, which he goes well at. He also likes Ayr, having shown that last year. He has also been third in the Bronze Cup in the past and although he is higher in the handicap and a slightly better class race, he can go very close to another victory ahead of chiefly Jim Goldie’s Call Me Ginger and the Richard Fahey-trained Monsieur Kodi.

Owen Burrows’ hat-trick-seeking RAQIYA will be hard to beat in the Group Three Virgin Best Odds Daily Firth Of Clyde Fillies’ Stakes (For The Ayrshire Agricultural Challenge Cup) (3pm). The Blue Point filly has looked good in winning at Salisbury and in a Novice Stakes contest at Haydock Park earlier this month. She sets the standard on that effort and she can take the step up into Group Three company to land a third win in four career starts.

Amy Murphy’s John Smith’s Cup winner PRIDE OF AMERICA can land the Listed Virgin Bet Doonside Cup Stakes (1.50pm). The 1m2f contest has a changed look with Group One performer, the Willie Haggas’s My Prospero, now a non-runner. It leaves the race wide-open but the progressive Pride Of America – who finished third at Glorious Goodwood following his win on the Knavesmire – may come out on top.

Dianne Sayer’s course and distance winner REDARNA was back to form at Thirsk last time and the nine-year-old veteran may be able to go in again in the Virgin Bet Daily Price Boosts Handicap (1.15pm).

Others who may score up at Ayr are the Burke-trained MAKING DREAMS in the Jordan Electrics EBF Nursery Handicap (4.10pm); Fahey’s OUTRUN THE STORM in the Get Home Safe With Thistle Cabs Handicap (4.45pm); and CAPITAL THEORY, from the Charlie Johnston stable – in the finale the Jordan Electrics Ltd Handicap (5.20pm).

At Newbury Red Zone Hero can win the Group Two Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes (3.15pm). Bell’s Starspangledbanner colt has won twice from five starts, but was at his most impressive on his latest start when running out a wide-margin winner of a Nursery at Doncaster. He can build on that stepped up to Group Two company ahead of chiefly Eve Johnson Houghton’s Mister Sketch.

Mick Appleby’s RAASEL was back form to win a handicap at Haydock earlier this month and can score again in the Group Three Dubai International Airport World Trophy Stakes (1.30pm). The six-year-old was only just beaten Rogue Lightning stepped up to Listed company last time out but in his current form may be able to land a Group victory at Newbury.

Pat Chamings’ course and distance winner SPANISH STAR may be able to land another victory in Berkshire in the Conundrum Consulting Handicap (4.25pm).

Others who can triumph at Newbury are Harry and Roger Charlton’s VALSAD in the Dubai Duty Free Autumn Cup Handicap (2.05pm); the Andrew Balding-trained hat-trick-seeking TOTNES in the Dubai Duty Free Handicap (2.40pm); and Haggas’ NATIONAL INTEREST in the Horris Hill School EBF Novice Stakes (GBB Race) (3.50pm).

At Newmarket the Charltons' ZAIN NIGHTS, under Liverpool FC fan William Buick, can win the Turners Cesarewitch Trial Handicap (4pm).

Others who may score at Headquarters are Johnson Houghton’s BUSSENTO – also under Buick – in the Turners Parks Group Ltd Handicap (3.25pm); the Willie Muir and Chris Grassick-trained MAGGIE'S WAY in the Turners Fillies’ Handicap (2.15pm); and another bidding for three-in-a-row, RED MAIDS,in the Turners Handicap (2.50pm).

At York APHELIOS may add to what could be a good afternoon for the Mick Appleby stable with victory in the Copmanthorpe Handicap (3.45pm). Also on the Knavesmire, Michael Herrington’s GOOD EARTH can land a fourth win of the season in the Vickers Bet Handicap (4.20pm); and the Beckett-trained INVINCIBLE MOLLY may make it third time lucky in the opener, the Jigsaw Sports Branding EBF Fillies’ Novice Stakes (GBB Race) (2pm).

Wright Ones

AYR

1.15pm Redarna
1.50pm Pride Of America
2.25pm Danzan
3pm Raqiya
3.35pm Juan Les Pins (NAP)
4.10pm Making Dreams
4.45pm Angel From Above
5.20pm Capital Theory

NEWBURY

1.30pm Raasel
2.05pm Valsad
2.40pm Totnes
3.15pm Red Zone Hero
3.50pm National Interest
4.25pm Spanish Star
5pm Bodorgan

NEWMARKET

1.40pm Beautiful Love
2.15pm Maggie’s Way
2.50pm Red Maids
3.25pm Bussento
4pm Zain Nights
4.35pm Prenup
5.10pm I Still Have Faith

YORK

2pm Invincible Molly
2.35pm Innse Gall
3.10pm Emperor’s Star
3.45pm Aphelios
4.20pm Good Earth
4.55pm Red Force One
5.30pm Lexington Knight

CATTERICK

1.45pm Vintage Love
2.20pm Dr Foster
2.55pm Langholm
3.30pm Cool Run
4.05pm Dreams Adozen
4.40pm Molinari
5.15pm Shark Two One
5.50pm Obee Jo

WOLVERHAMPTON

5.24pm Imperial Dream
6pm Cotai Vision
6.30pm Medician Star
7pm Original Thinker
7.30pm Bits And Bobs
8pm Kentucky Kingdom
8.30pm Bankrupt

SUNDAY’S NAP: Iris Dancer (Hamilton 4.35pm)