If you missed the news earlier, Saturday’s Ayr Gold Cup card has been abandoned. The decision means no racing will take place at this important three-day fixture, the Thursday and Friday meetings having already been lost to waterlogging.
There are plenty of questions officials at the track will face after what could be politely described as a shambles. When Friday’s meeting was called off at 7pm on Thursday night after racecourse public relations head Iain Ferguson had sounded increasingly confident that the fixture would get the go ahead newspapers were forced to make major changes.
No publication would have been more affected than the Racing Post. An hour later a tweet depicting a number of clowns was posted by the paper’s editor, Bruce Millington.
— Bruce Millington (@brucemillington) September 21, 2017
Conditions at Newbury, where the going is on the firm side, could not be more different than at Ayr. The consistent Second Thought (4.00), who has never been out of the first two in six races, is the one that catches the eye in the Listed Dubai Duty Free Cup. The William Haggas-trained runner should be suited by the step back up to seven furlongs and his second to Harry Angel at Haydock in May when last seen reads very well now.
Friday’s running of the Haynes, Hanson & Clark Stakes usually attracts useful two-year-olds and this year’s renewal could be booked for White Mocha (3.30), who ran another race of promise following his Haydock debut victory when second under a penalty to Al Jellaby at Salisbury earlier this month.
At Newcastle’s night meeting the best advice is to wait for the final race and Groundworker (9.15), who is still well treated on his old from after a 6lb rise for his win over track and trip last time.
Friday’s tips
Newbury 1.20 Buffer Zone 1.50 Beshaayir 2.25 Lethal Lunch 2.55 Eye Of The Storm 3.30 White Mocha 4.00 Second Thought (nap) 4.35 Lamya 5.05 Balmoral Castle
Newcastle 5.45 Mobbhij 6.15 Angel In The Snow 6.45 Snax 7.15 Geesala Brave 7.45 Lina’s Star 8.15 Ibazz 8.45 Lady Of The Lamp 9.15 Groundworker
Newton Abbot 2.00 Diego Du Charmil 2.35 Braqueur D’or 3.05 Flashing Glance 3.40 Chantecler 4.10 Love The Leader 4.45 Azure Fly 5.15 Point Of Principle
