Ayr and Newbury both host competitive cards on Saturday, with Group and handicap action for punters to enjoy unravelling. GG tipster Joe Napier has picked out an each-way Lucky 15 complete with four selections for you to follow on the day.
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1.15 Ayr – ARCTIC GREY (1pt e/w – 18/1 Hills)
Richard Hannon’s yard had been enduring a sticky patch of form, but 22/1 and 25/1 winners this week will have buoyed confidence for many of their upcoming runners. One of those is ARCTIC GREY, whose handicap debut form at Goodwood in May has worked out very well, but who then struggled in the Britannia Stakes at Royal Ascot and a competitive handicap at Sandown in July. However, after having been gelded, and back on a surface slower than good-to-firm, he ran a fine race in a class Classified event at Ascot over 7f last time out and a further 2lb drop in the weights sees him only 2lb higher than his Goodwood winning mark. He can now be competitive again off this rating.
1.30 Newbury – COVER UP (1pt e/w – 11/1 Paddy Power/Hills)
Rumstar is two from two at Group 3 level this term and might be a tough nut to crack, but an interesting each-way alternative is COVER UP for the Crisford team. His 5f turf form reads 13451 for his current yard, having also won on his final start over this distance for the Gosdens. He shouldered top-weight gamely in two handicaps to begin his return to Britain in the spring before finding the Wokingham too hot over 6f. However, having placed twice at Group level in Dubai in hot races, as well as returning to winning ways last time out at Ascot, he could prove a surprise package here, with today’s jockey William Buick having partnered him to his last three successes.
2.25 Ayr – NARIKO (1pt e/w – 13/2 Paddy Power)
A superb run of form has seen NARIKO win four of his last five starts, but that run may not end just yet in the Silver Cup at Ayr. His three victories prior to last time out at Hamilton had all been on soft or heavy ground, but he proved no one trick pony when winning the Scottish Stewards’ Cup back in July. Many of those in behind are the principals in the Ayr Gold Cup betting, so a 4lb penalty for that victory looks particularly lenient. As long as the 64-day gap between races does not hinder his fitness, he is the likeliest winner even in this deep field, with a draw in stall 18 no concern.
3.35 Ayr – TWO TRIBES (1pt e/w – 9/1 Ladbrokes)
No top-weight has won the Ayr Gold Cup since 2017, but there is precedent for it, with Donjuan Triumphant backing up Brando’s fellow weight-burdening victory from the prior year. TWO TRIBES is expected to join them having enjoyed a remarkable summer that saw him in Ascot’s International Handicap over 7f followed by the Stewards’ Cup over 6f a week later. Those victories proved he is versatile both in terms of trip and ground and his fourth of 20 behind Northern Ticker at York last time was another good run. He is now 5lb better off at the weights with that rival and a slightly more patient ride from David Egan can see his turn of foot land him another big handicap.
GG Lucky 15 Tips For Saturday 20th September