Eyes On Scotland (For The Ayr Gold Cup)

With the Scottish referendum all set to take place tomorrow (Thursday 18th September), it seems a pretty apt time to assess the possible runners and riders in Saturday`s (20th September) Ayr Gold Cup.

Currently occupying favouritism is David O`Meara`s Watchable, who triumphed in last weekend`s `Bold Lad` Sprint Handicap at the Curragh. Ridden by the in form Danny Tudhope, the gelding brought smiles to the faces of favourite backers everywhere by sealing victory over David Marnane`s Zalty by a head. As a consequence of this tough slog, however, O`Meara finds himself still debating whether or not to enter the four-year-old into Saturday`s post-referendum spectacular.

`He`s only really had this season as a racehorse,` O`Meara said. `He`s already done quite a bit. He`s going to be a very good horse.

`We`ll decide nearer the time.`

Despite the concerns of the North Yorkshire-based trainer, Watchable sits atop of the anti-post betting at best price 12/1 (32red, 888sport, Boylesport, ladbrokes, unibet). Should the favourite be withdrawn, other possible representatives of Arthington Barn Stables include Highland Acclaim, Louis the Pious and Out Do.

The Evan Sutherland-owned Out Do ruled supreme in the william hill St Wilfred Handicap at Ripon, thereby putting to bed a series of near misses and excusable runs to finally enter the winner`s enclosure. The five-year-old can be picked up at odds of 20/1 (888sport, boylesports and Skybet), though his stamina-less run in Doncaster`s Portland won`t do much to help confidence ahead of Scotland`s iconic six furlong dash.

Stable-mate Louis the Pious has bombed since his unlikely win in Ascot`s Buckingham Palace Stakes` back in June. Last year`s Ayr Gold Cup runner-up, plucky punters can back O`Meara`s inconsistent six-year-old at 28/1 (betfair, Race Bets, Skybet, Stan James).

Highland Acclaim is looking to overcome the disappointment of missing out on a place in Ascot`s qualifier for the Balmoral Handicap last time out. The three-year-old picked up in the final furlong though was eventually edged out by the likes of Fort Bastion, Cornrow, Redvers who is a 50/1 (Coral, paddy Power, Sporting Bet) shot for the big race, and Godolphin`s eventual winner Safety Check in a thrilling fight for the line. Being dropped back to six furlongs, from this seven, however, may help Highland Acclaim recapture the form he showed with back-to-back August wins at Newmarket and Ascot. O`Meara`s final possible representative is a very generous 25/1 with various bookmakers.

Richard Hannon`s lightly-raced colt Ninjago continues to shorten, now only available at 14/1 with Sporting Bet. The four-year-old bounced back from a difficult Wokingham Stakes to finish runner-up behind Intrinsic and Richard Hughes in Goodwood`s Stewards` Cup last time out. Promising young rider Cam Hardie receives a five pound allowance for his ride on the now second favourite should he take his chance at Ayr.

Third in the Stewards` Cup was perennial bridesmaid Alben Star. Despite a string of promising runs in large handicaps including the aformentioned Stewards` Cup, the Wokingham Stakes and defying top weight in the paddy Power Scurry at the Curragh, Richard Fahey`s six-year-old is yet to get himself first over the line.

`I`m sure there`ll be one of the big handicaps in him one day.` Fahey said of his main Ayr Gold Cup contender.

Alben Star is 16/1 with Race Bets to prove him right. The Malton-based trainer`s other chances are Newmarket`s Coral Sprint Trophy winner Eastern Impact (18/1 with 32red, 888sport, bet365, unibet) and 20/1 shout Rene Mathis (Coral). The final 27 runners for the Ayr Gold Cup will be announced tomorrow (18th September), with the undeclared qualifying for the consolation Silver and Bronze Cup races.

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17/09/2014     © Frixo 2024