We’ve managed to persuade Nicky Doyle to write a preview of the Gold Cup today for Race Advisor readers. Nicky runs the very successful Bet Alchemist service and you can get access to all of his selections here.
Now, here is the preview direct from the desk of Nicky Doyle…
Low or High is the big question regarding the Ayr Gold Cup with 27 runners spread across the track in this very classy handicap.
Yesterday, those drawn high held a big advantage in the Bronze Cup and, similar to last year, it’s middle to high that looks the place to be.
This race is no ordinary class 2 heritage handicap with the lowest rated horses running off as high a rating as 96!
No wonder they run the Silver Cup earlier in the day to allow those who missed the cut a chance to race.
Jack Dexter who finished third last year runs again this year off the same 110 rating but the ground and draw look against him this time round.
David O’Meara is rising rapidly up the training ranks and been sent the right kind of ammunition to land the major Saturday handicaps. Watchable looks like his first string having won well at the Curragh despite idling badly near the line. Danny Tudhope stays loyal to him despite a low draw, but it’s the Sam James ridden stable mate Highland Acclaim that looks better drawn to win in stall 18.
Highland Acclaim flew home at Ascot in a very competitive handicap on his last run having been slow away from stall 2 and then switching all the way over to the stands rail. That run marked him out as a potential Group horse in the making and despite been just a three year old he can bounce back to winning ways here having won twice before the blip at Ascot all on fast ground. The handicapper has taken a chance leaving him run off the same mark of 98 today and it would be quite the coincidence if Highland Acclaim won here following the victory of his half-brother Highland Colori in 2013!
Fast Shot comes into this race with a very similar profile to that of last season’s victor Highland Colori. Similar to Highland Colori, so too has Fast Shot finished second in an Ayr Silver Cup the previous year and both were unlucky not to have won Silver Cups especially Fast Shot who was blocked at a crucial time before flying home. Fast Shot has had this race as his target since winning twice on the bounce this spring rising as high as 97 in the ratings having run off 87 when second in the Silver Cup last year if you still follow me!
Fast Shot runs today off 96 with regular jockey Rachel Richardson taking a further 7lbs off allowing him to run off 89. He is a very straight forward horse and Rachel gets on very well with him and is a talented jockey despite claiming 7lbs. I’m sure it’s partly due to her riding Fast Shot that he is such a big price even with an excellent draw in stall 25. He likes to sit and travel behind the pace so some luck in running will be required but that goes for most of the field. Trainer Tim Easterby knows how to ready one and has a very good record at Ayr racecourse.
Selection A – 1 Point *EW Highland Acclaim Ayr 15:50 10/1 generally with Ladbrokes & Betfair SB paying 6 places
Selection B – 1 Point *EW Fast Shot Ayr 15:50 25/1 generally with Ladbrokes paying 6 places
Best of luck,
Nicky
