Ayr Gold Cup Entries: Star studded field set for sprint showpiece
A stellar list of entries have been received for the Ayr Gold Cup, which takes place at Ayr racecourse on Saturday afternoon and we pick out some of the leading contenders for what should be a hugely competitive renewal of the 6f handicap. You can also check out the latest Ayr Gold Cup odds here...
Magnificent when bounding to glory in the Stewards' Cup at Glorious Goodwood at the end of July, Commanche Falls then nearly followed up in a classy York sprint handicap, but had to settle for second behind the evergreen Summerghand, and that pair are set for another epic duel this weekend and are both prominent figures in the betting. Both available at 12/1, at the time of writing, both will head north of the border looking to land another valuable prize and have to be considered major players.
Kevin Ryan's Bielsa (14/1) was a spectacular winner of the race 12 months ago and that raider is set for another crack at the race, as he looks to emulate the legendary Funfair Wane, who won two renewals of the sprint showpiece back in the early 2000s. Currently heading the betting is the Paddy Twomey-trained Erosandpsyche, who could make a quick reappearance having chased home Highfield Princess in the Flying Five Stakes at the Curragh last weekend. Sparkling in that Group 1 event, he was no match for the runaway winner that day, but if the Irish charge decides to come over for this event he warrants the utmost respect, and is the 7/1 ante-post favourite, at the time of writing.
The other contender in single figures with the bookmakers is Khanjar, who is a point behind in the betting at 8/1 and will line up on the back of an eye-catching Haydock Park win. Still only three years old, the William Haggas-trained son of Kodiac had previously finished third at Newmarket, but shaped with more promise last time when winning at Haydock impressively, and he's a fascinating runner.
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A tremendous winner of the Buckingham Palace Handicap at Royal Ascot earlier in the season, George Boughey's Inver Park (16/1) is set to try and land another notable victory in a big sprint contest and is sure to play a notable role, while the Andrew Balding-trained Chil Chil (25/1) will drop back from Group 1 company for this test, and was last seen finishing a fine fifth in the Sprint Cup at Haydock Park, and this will be a lot easier despite having top weight alongside Commanche Falls.
Second in the Wokingham Stakes at the Royal meeting, Ed Walker's Popmaster will attempt to excel in another bumper field event and is another at 16/1 that is sure to run a solid race, while others around that same price bracket include Mr Wagyu (third last year) and Magical Spirit, who both have some smart form on their CVs.
Many entered for this event featured in last year's renewal and will have form to turn around with Bielsa and Fivethousandtoone, Count D'Orsay and Gulliver are just three of those standout names that could feature prominently in what is one of the punting highlights of the second part of the Flat season.
Here at HorseRacing.net, we will endeavour to try and pick the winner of the race once the final declarations are made on Thursday, so make sure you check back later in the week and read our Ayr Gold Cup preview.