Today’s TV races, by Greg Wood
The Ayr Gold Cup is always a daunting puzzle but this year’s renewal offers a starter question too, thanks to the presence in the field of the unbeaten three-year-old Don’t Touch.
Richard Fahey’s gelding is the only place to begin because his four-race career to date suggests he is the best horse in the race, very much the best at the weights and more than capable of finding 5lb of improvement from his victory in a competitive race at Ripon in August.
Don’t Touch’s draw is the sticking point, however, as stall eight is far from ideal. He could run up to his latest form and still not win from there, so the value may lie with Highland Colori (3.45), the winner two years ago off a 6lb higher mark. Andrew Balding’s string is in fine form and the seven-year-old looks to have been steered very deliberately towards this afternoon’s race. The fact that his name was first out at the draw, allowing Balding to slide him into the same stall that he left in 2013, adds a coat of gloss to odds of 25-1.
Newbury 1.45 Eagle Top is the obvious form choice on his narrow defeat by Postponed in the King George at Ascot but he may not get the well-run race he needs to show his best. The Corsican is progressive, had no luck at Goodwood last time and is a value bet to find enough further improvement to emerge on top.
Ayr 2.00 Priceless won on her racecourse debut at Haydock earlier this month at 20-1 but her seven-length success was backed up by the clock. Even minimal progress would give her every chance here and the hope must be that Clive Cox’s filly will again win decisively on the way to even better things.
Newbury 2.15 A slightly disappointing field for this Group Two, despite the presence of Ribchester and Raucous, second and third in the Gimcrack at York last time. Ribchester may prove to have gained most from the experience.
Ayr 2.35 The shortlist runs to at least a dozen horses, with a very sound case to be made for George Bowen, Eccleston and Shared Equity among others. Johara, though, has the added benefit of a high draw and showed more than enough when fourth in a competitive handicap on her belated seasonal debut to suggest she has a very live chance here.
Newbury 2.50 Near-endless possibilities but Field Of Fame should get the strong pace that suits and the useful 5lb claim of Edward Greatrex could just tip the balance towards Balding’s runner.
Ayr 3.10 With Eagle Top likely to line up at Newbury, this looks an ideal chance for Mutakayyef to record his first win of the season, following a strong 2015 debut behind the subsequent Grade One winner Mondialiste.
Post your tips or racing-related comments below.
