The Ayr Gold Cup is the standout Flat race of the season at the Scottish circuit and one of the traditional major autumn sprint prizes.
With more than £90,000 on offer to the winner, the Ayr Gold Cup is a valuable pot and it has attracted a cast of 25 runners to the west coast venue.
The six-furlong contest is due off at 3.35pm on Saturday afternoon, with conditions set to be 'Good to soft-good in places' and Enda McElhinney has a selection and next best for the big race.
3.35 – Ayr Gold Cup (Handicap, 6f)
No horse has won back-to-back runnings of the Ayr Gold Cup since Heronslea won the 1930 and 1931 races, but that is what Summerghand will attempt on Saturday for David O'Meara and Danny Tudhope.
The nine-year-old defeated Commanche Falls by a length 12 months ago off a mark of 102 and is rated 5lb higher this time. He was 5lb 'wrong' at the weights last year and is 3lb out on official terms now.
He carried 9st 5lb a year ago, this time it is 10st 1lb meaning he has top weight – giving at least 3lb to every rival.
He's a hugely admirable performer who turns up and gives it his all every time, but, even by his own phenomenal standards, this would be quite something. The 2021 winner Bielsa joins him in the mix going for a second win in this race.
Ante-post favourite Orazio for Charlie Hills and Jim Crowley was another confirmed entry on Thursday morning – he will carry 9st 9lb and will be hoping to revert to the sort of form that saw him close up in sixth in the Wokingham at Royal Ascot in June.
He's only run once since, getting stuck in the mud at Glorious Goodwood having started favourite for the Stewards' Cup. He is lightly-raced and could be the fourth 4YO to claim this prize in seven runnings.
RAMAZAN is one of two 3YO contenders this year and they have a solid enough record, including two wins since 2015.
Richard Fahey's gelded son of Kodiac was a useful juvenile last year, winning twice and taking a close third in the Goffs Million at the Curragh (7f, soft) on his final start.
He has been campaigned only at 7f/1m this season and has paid his way with valuable wins at Haydock and Chepstow in two of his last three.
His only start here saw him denied a neck over C&D at this meeting last year when second and Oisin Orr's partner should be doing all his best work late in the piece.
Of the outsiders, the Donald McCain-trained Paws For Thought is worth considering. After a wind op, he won three on the spin over 6f/7f in June/July and his two most recent efforts at Chester saw him drawn wide and unable to get his preferred lead.
He is still on a fair mark and has Robert Whearty taking off 5lb in the saddle fresh from riding three winners from eight starts in the last fortnight.
NEXT BEST: PAWS FOR THOUGHT @ 28/1
1.50 - Virgin Bet Daily Extra Places Doonside Cup Stakes (Listed, 1m2f)
MY PROSPERO is yet to win this season, but has been racing in higher grades than this. He was beaten by Alflaila in the York Stakes over this trip in July, once more having been ridden patiently.
He has fared well when forcing things in the past and, in this small field now dropped into Listed company, he can oblige with Cieren Fallon on board for the first time.
Royal Rhyme looks the principle threat on paper for Karl Burke, though the returning Luckin Brew for Ralph Beckett isn't to be discounted.
3.00 - Firth Of Clyde (Fillies' Group 3, 6f)
Back-to-back wins at Salisbury and Haydock in good style have left Raqiya 2-3 so far and very much on the up for Owen Burrows and Jim Crowley in the Shadwell silks. She rises in class now and has strong claims, as the market suggests.
This is no procession, however, with Dorothy Lawrence and Navassa Island looking very capable fillies in their own right, while GREAT GENERATION is unbeaten after two runs for Marco Botti.
The daughter of Holy Roman Emperor took a step forward when winning a Conditions race at Chester three weeks ago and is being asked to take another now. There ought to be more to come from her.
SELECTION: GREAT GENERATION @ 9/2
