Low numbers have had the best of it on Ayr’s straight course so far this week, but the both sides moved towards the middle in Friday’s Bronze Cup and the effect of the draw is hard to predict with any confidence.
Kevin Ryan’s record in the Ayr Gold Cup on Saturday is beyond dispute, however, with three wins in 10 years, and he has a good chance of a fourth with Brando (3.45), who has been running in Group races since finishing second in the Wokingham. Absolutely So, fourth in that race on the wrong side, is a danger at a big price, along with Orion’s Bow, who may be freshened up by a month off.
Today’s best bets
Newbury (1.45) Dartmouth is the form horse on his third in the King George, but heavy ground is an unknown. Algometer looks more likely to appreciate a test, and can step up on his seventh place in the Derby last time out.
Ayr (2.00) Bletchley put up an excellent performance to finish runner-up in the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot on only her second start, and may have been feeling the faster ground when only sixth in a Group Two at Newmarket’s July meeting. Back on a more suitable surface, she should make her class tell here, with Partitia the danger if she handles the cut.
Newbury (2.15) Sutter County had been off since an impressive success on good-to-soft ground in April when fourth at York in August. With improvement likely for that run, he could be the main beneficiary after Mokarris, the likely favourite, was ruled out.
Ayr (2.35) Nothing has gone the way of Lexington Abbey since a close third at Ascot in July but he is now 1lb lower in the weights, has a low draw and acts with cut in the ground. Intisaab, twice successful over course-and-distance, heads the many dangers, along with Reputation.
Newbury (2.50) Baydar is keeping ahead of the handicapper with narrow-margin wins, but slight preference is for Imperial Aviator, who returns to the scene of a crushing success in May, and is back in a handicap after stepping up into Group One and Two company.
Ayr (3.10) Morando is back from a break for an autumn campaign on ground that suits and should get the better of fellow three-year-old Garcia.
Newbury (3.25) The ground could play a big role here, with the Group One-winner Goldream unlikely to appreciate heavy going, but Ridge Ranger has form on heavy ground and could be difficult to reel in. Eric Alston’s mare is a model of consistency, and put up a big performance to finish second to up-and-coming Mehronissa last time.
We are no longer able to continue with competitions every week, but they will still run in the biggest weeks (Cheltenham, Aintree, Royal Ascot, Glorious Goodwood and maybe one or two others, as well as the Christmas quiz).
We’ll still have a Talking Horses each day for tips, analysis and news, so we very much hope you’ll join us to chew over whatever racing happens to be going on and post your tips or racing-related comments below.
