15:30 Ayr

Monday 8 July 2024

All14:2014:5515:3016:0516:4017:15

Book For The Ayr Gold Cup Handicap

Off time: 15:32 | Winning time: 2m 8.25s

(4)

Highwaygrey^p¹²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-3| J: Amie Waugh⁽⁵⁾| T: T D Easterby| OR: 66| CD

4/1

C&D winner who turned in best effort of the season when runner-up at Carlisle (9f) on his penultimate start. Raced keenly and ran below best when sixth of 8 in handicap back at that venue 12 days ago but not dismissed out of hand dropped into class 6 company.

Form: 1-54526

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

(10)

Ayr Poet¹²

Age: 9| Weight: 10-2| J: Lauren Young⁽⁷⁾| T: J S Goldie| OR: 65| CD

9/1

5-time course winner. 40/1, eleventh of 12 in Cumberland Plate handicap at Carlisle (11.2f, good to firm) 12 days ago. Ease back down in class rates an obvious plus but each of his last 4 victories have come in cheekpieces (again left off here).

Form: 35-3270

(9)

Berry Edge^p²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-1| J: Phil Dennis| T: D Thompson| OR: 64| D

15/2

1 win from 3 runs this year. 11/1, ended lengthy losing run in 13-runner handicap at Carlisle (9f, good to soft) 28 days ago by ½ length from Highwaygrey, staying on to lead final 50 yds having been very slowly away. Not discounted nudged up 3 lb.

Form: 580-401

(2)

Tilsitt^t¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: Rhys Elliott⁽⁷⁾| T: R M Smith| OR: 63| CD

13/2

C&D winner. 11/1, shaped as if better for the run after 6 months off when fourth of 7 in handicap at Hamilton (11.1f, good to firm) 19 days ago. Potentially very well handicapped but his losing run does temper enthusiasm.

Form: 54698-4

(3)

Glasses Up^p²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 9-13| J: Connor Beasley| T: R M Smith| OR: 62| CD

9/2

6-time C&D winner. Fifth of 7 in handicap (40/1) at Carlisle (14.2f, soft) 21 days ago. Refitting of cheekpieces could well perk him up and he's another in with a shout.

Form: 578-365

(5)

Hondo¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: Ryan Sexton| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 60

40/1

8/1, off 9 months/first run since leaving Roger Fell & Sean Murray when last of 7 in handicap at Hamilton (11.1f, good to firm) 19 days ago, dropping away very quickly once headed. This should reveal more.

Form: 64265-7

(8)

We Still Believe¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: A Mullen| T: D Bourke| OR: 58| D

4/1

Eleven runs since last win in 2023. Respectable third of 14 in handicap at Redcar (7f, good to firm, 8/1) 17 days ago, well drawn. Significantly back up in trip. Not taken lightly.

Form: 372233

(1)

Volcanology¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Billy Loughnane| T: C Johnston| OR: 67

7/1

Won second of 3 starts as a juvenile in the autumn and, easy to back, shaped as if better for the run when fifth of 8 in handicap at Ripon (9.8f, good) 19 days ago, weakening final 1f. Comes here easily one of the least exposed and better showing anticipated.

Form: 518-5

(7)

Racing Vicar²⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: O J Orr| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 64

14/1

Left debut form well behind when second of 5 in 1m maiden here in April. Not in same form when fifth of 10 in maiden (28/1) at Musselburgh (8f, good to firm) 25 days ago but switch to handicaps rates more suitable now.

Form: 025

(11)

Rich Harry²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: K T O'Neill| T: Alice Haynes| OR: 61

25/1

Tongue strap on for 1st time, last of 7 in handicap (33/1) at Salisbury (8f, good) 22 days ago, beaten final 1f. Back up in trip.

Form: 3-36677

(12)

Bellslea²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: D C Costello| T: R M Smith| OR: 49

125/1

Lightly-raced maiden on Flat. Last of 13 in handicap at Hamilton (8.3f, good to firm, 80/1) 26 days ago. Up in trip.

Form: 665/0

Non-Runners

(6)

Braes Of Doune¹

Weight: 9-2| Age: 6

T: J S Goldie J: P Mulrennan

Forecasts

Braes Of Doune (7/2), We Still Believe (4/1), Highwaygrey (4/1), Glasses Up (9/2), Tilsitt (13/2), Volcanology (7/1), Berry Edge (15/2), Ayr Poet (9/1), Racing Vicar (14/1), Rich Harry (25/1), Hondo (40/1), Bellslea (125/1)

BRAES OF DOUNE (due to run here on Sunday) remains lightly raced for a 6-y-o and returned from a break with a good second over 1m in May. The step back up in trip rates an obvious plus and he's a lead player if turned out quickly. Highwaygrey is lurking on a very dangerous mark and is a player if putting it all together. Berry Edge, Glasses Up and We Still Believe complete the shortlist.