The Ayr Gold Cup is a 6f handicap race open to horses aged three years or older and is staged at Ayr Racecourse.
The maximum permitted field of 25 is put together from the highest-rated horses entered. Any horses that do not make the race are given the option to run in the consolation races – the Ayr Silver and Bronze Cups.
Since 1980 there have been just three winning favourites of Scotland’s richest handicap race which will make depressing reading for favourite backers. However the favourite last year, Son Of Rest, dead-heated for first place.
A full house go to post this Saturday for this feature Scottish sprint race that goes off at 3.50pm (GMT).
Ayr Gold Cup: Trends
- Effect of the draw: 6 winners have had high draws in the past 10 runnings of the race, with three low drawn winners and two middle drawn. Last year’s dead- heat involved two high drawn horses.
- Trainers: Kevin Ryan has trained three of the last 10 Ayr Gold Cups winners, and Andrew Balding has trained two of them.
- Weight: 8 of the last 10 winners have carried between 9st and 9st 10lb. Highland Colori carried 8-13 in 2013 while Baron Bolt carried 8-12 last year.
- Starting Price: The last 10 winners have ranged from last year’s 5-1 dead-heating favourite to 28-1, which happened to be the other dead-heating horse.
Ayr Gold Cup 2019: Runners
Mr Lupton
Winner of a Group Two at the Curragh on his seasonal return in May but has struggled in that company since. A first start in a handicap in more than a year may be just the change he needs.
Major Jumbo
Has been holding his own in Group company this term and won a Chester Listed race last month. The drying ground is a concern however according to his trainer, Kevin Ryan.
Bacchus
33/1 winner of the Wokingham in 2018 but has been on a downward spiral ever since. He is hard to make a case for.
Buffer Zone
Convincingly beat 23 rivals in a valuable six-furlong handicap at the Curragh last Sunday and has been well supported in the horse racing betting since.
Laugh A Minute
Did well at Doncaster season and ran with credit at Deauville last time in a French Group 3 race. Drying conditions will certainly be in his favour after a two month break.
Hey Jonesy
Only one win from 16 starts and the suspicion is that he prefers some cut in the ground.
Summerghand
Could be described as the perfect Placepot horse this season but always appears to run into one that is just too good.
Gunmetal
Won the Great St Wilfrid at Ripon last August but is another who keeps finishing towards the rear of field in these big handicaps this season.
Justanotherbottle
Was just denied in the Stewards’ Cup last season and has won a race at Sandown over 5f this term. His form looks rather in and out to be a confident pick.
Air Raid
Won twice at Hamilton in June and then once again in July. Perhaps he saves all his best runs for Scotland?
Merhoob
Somewhat of an all-weather specialist but did spring a surprise at Chester earlier this season in the soft. Conditions will be more than likely against him here.
Intisaab
Versatile handicapper who is no stranger to the Ayr Gold Cup Festival having run here previously. His losing run stretches back 13 races now which is a worry.
Stone of Destiny
Won well at the Shergar Cup meeting and has been running well all year. Well worth a second look in the betting given the form of his trainer.
Angel Alexander
Has been a regular runner at Chester this season and has performed with credit, but there have only been 3 three-year-old winners of this race in the last 25 years.
Good Effort
Acts on a variety of surfaces and won at Newmarket by 2 lengths from Count Otto in August. Needs to bounce back from a poor run behind Raucous last time.
Gulliver
Travels well into his races in the closing stages when others have cried enough. Ran well behind Buffer Zone last week and should be on the premises again.
Arecibo
Danny Tudhope rides this one for David O’Meara which could easily be a tip in itself. Three decent placed runs in succession should see the four-year-old bang in contention.
Cold Stare
Won last time at Haydock on the soft with all of his three victories coming in similar conditions to that. This race may all happen a bit too quick for him.
Staxton
Usually races up with the pace but is another who will have to buck the poor three-year-old trend in this race. He does boast plenty of strong form however.
George Bowen
Solid handicapper who has won his fair share of races in his time. Worryingly he has not won on the turf now for over a year.
Soldier's Minute
Won a 21-runner handicap at York back in May but has gone off the boil since. Headgear will be applied on Saturday to help him concentrate.
Barbill
Fifth in the Hackwood Stakes at Newbury back in July but has not troubled the judge since an all-weather win at Chantilly last November.
Growl
Appears to have been around forever and pops up when you least expect him to. His Silver Trophy win at Ripon in August was most impressive.
Embour
Creditable 1¼ lengths sixth to Oxted in the Portland at Doncaster last time and a reproduction of that run would see him right in the mix.
Louie de Palma
Has had quite a lengthy break since running a string of decent placed efforts earlier in the season. Has a lovely weight if he can capitalise on it.
2019 Ayr Gold Cup: Picks
A very tricky handicap to decipher but given the size of the field and the generous odds on offer, I am going to narrow it down to three against the field.
Arecibo (nap) and Gulliver (nb) have really been knocking on the door in these big autumn races, while Staxton (e/w) could be a decent each-way play at a longer price.
888Sport suggests: Arecibo, Gulliver and Staxton.
*Credit for the main photo belongs to Tom Hevezi / AP Photo*
