A hugely competitive field will assemble for Saturday’s Ayr Gold Cup, with a strong list of entries being received for the 6f handicap. The Scottish historic handicap was established in 1804, and has since developed into one of the calendar’s most notorious puzzles to decipher.
Run Boy Run won the race last season for Richard Spencer and Phil Cunningham, who had a remarkable season plotting their way through multiple Heritage Handicaps, including the Ayr Silver Cup with Candy.
Several of the leading contenders having intertwining form from the likes of the Stewards’ Cup and the Constantine Handicap, and while those form-lines are undoubtedly key in deducing who looks to have further pounds up their sleeve, luck will certainly play a part in one of the most competitive events of the season.
Matthew Sutcliffe takes a look at some of the possible key contenders for Saturday’s Ayr Gold Cup…
Binhareer
William Haggas won his first Ayr Gold Cup with Nahaar in 2020, who was later beaten a neck by Starman in the Clipper Stakes at York. Binhareer looks to hold strong claims, and he caught the eye when sixth in the Ayr Silver Cup last season. He’s remained competitive this season, and appears to have been saved for this following his Hackwood Stakes fourth in July.
Coul Angel
Coul Angel will have to carry a 5lbs penalty if lining up following his two and a half length success at the Curragh on Sunday. The Coulsty gelding produced a dominant display there and was certainly not winning out of turn, following two close efforts at York over the summer.
Thunder Call
Thunder Call is another carrying a 5lbs penalty but is subsequently 4lbs well in following his Ascot Handicap success earlier this month. He took his seasonal record to 11321 there, progressing on RPR’s each time, and having already landed a 22 runner handicap this season he is well suited to this test.
Tuco Salamanca
Tuco Salamanca represents the shrewd Pompey Ventures connections and have already landed three handicaps this season, rising to a mark of 106. The Belardo gelding has an excellent strike rate, and comfortably landed a Shergar Cup contest down in trip last time out.
Run Boy Run
Run Boy Run gamely made all to land this contest from a 5lbs lower mark this season and has quietly worked his way down the handicap having begun this season on 105. Only three starts back he was beaten a length at Ascot off 3lbs higher, and this looks to have been the seasonal plan.
Two Tribes
Two Tribes was four lengths behind his stablemate in the race last season and is another in the Cunningham colours who looks to have been aimed here. He is 5lbs better off with Thunder Call on their Ascot effort last time out.
Candy
Candy will need some luck to get into the race off 93 but it’s feasible, and it would be no surprise at all should he put behind him this season’s poor performances. He was a comfortable winner of the Silver Cup last season, beating Sondad who’s now rated 16lbs higher.
Evening Saigon
Evening Saigon recorded a career best effort when a head winner of the Steward’s Cup which has seen the form franked throughout, and backed that up when second in his group of eight in the Constantine Handicap at York. Coul Angel franked that form at the Curragh, as did Sondad to a degree, along with Air Force One winning the Portland Handicap at Doncaster. A mark of 100 continues to look workable in that respect.
Far Above Dream
Far Above Dream won twice toward the backend of last season, with a fifteenth in the Silver Cup sandwiched in between. He’s returned in excellent form this season, and is 3lbs well in
following his nose second to Sondad in the Constantine Handicap at York.
Desert Falcon
Desert Falcon was a neck second in the race last season off a 2lbs lower mark and will be of interest if backing up a week later following his Portland sixth. That was a strong performance in a first time visor second time up after having wind surgery, and he’s bound to be suited by the return to a stiff six furlongs.