Looking forward to the Ayr Gold Cup

There was some decent action on Wednesday with Cerro Blanco making a seamless transition into Pattern company at Sandown. Featured in the Unraced Three Year Olds section in Ahead On The Flat, the Godolphin owned colt had impressed when winning his maiden and novice at Newmarket during the spring and summer and was strongly fancied for the Listed Fortune Stakes at the Esher venue. Patiently ridden behind the leaders, the Wootton Bassett colt was produced on the outside before quickening to lead. Pushed out to score by a length and three quarters, it remains to be seen whether he runs again this term. Charlie Appleby has purposely not rushed the colt and that patience is expected to be rewarded next year. He is a cracking prospect who will be competing in high quality one mile races in 2027.

Ed Bethell was complimentary about Myesme on page 71 of AOTF and, having shown plenty of promise on her debut over six furlongs at Ayr last month, she successfully dropped back to the minimum trip at Beverley. Drawn widest in stall 9, Danny Tudhope did an excellent job getting his mount over and the Havana Grey filly was travelling strongly towards the head of affairs entering the final quarter of a mile. Taking over a furlong out, she was in control thereafter winning by a length and three quarters. Out of a Listed placed dam, she looks a bright prospect capable of mixing at Pattern level next year. 

As regular clients will be aware, the Ayr Gold Cup is one of my favourite races in the Flat racing Calendar. Fortunately, I am working there on Friday and Saturday for Racing TV - alongside Nick Luck - and very much looking forward to it. I suggested in the York Ebor Update that Top 40 entry Binhareer is tailormade for the six furlongs cavalry charge and advised the four year old at 10/1. The rain has arrived and conditions ought to be ideal for William Haggas' runner. I spoke to William at York last month and he said this was the plan. The key to him is the ground - he ran well at Royal Ascot and Newbury on unsuitably quick ground - because the grey is a much better horse on a slow surface. Granted a favourable draw, I will be disappointed if he doesn't go close.

In terms of dangers, Dance In The Storm has received plenty of column inches on here this year and it would be no surprise if she won on Saturday. Fourth in the Sky Bet Constantine Handicap at York last month, Andrew Balding's filly was drawn on the wrong side but wasn't beaten far. I spoke to Oisin Murphy before racing that day and he said she was quick enough for six furlongs but was concerned about her doing everything on one breath. If she relaxes during the first half of the race and is drawn on the favoured side, then Jeff Smith's well bred filly is a major threat. While she handles good to soft ground, very soft ground is an unknown though.

Oisin Murphy burst onto the British scene with a four timer on Ayr Gold Cup day in 2013, including aboard the Evan Sutherland owned Highland Colori in the big race itself. The same patron is reportedly very much looking forward to running Pellitory on Saturday. Previously handled by James Owen, the four year old was purchased for 52,000gns in October and joined David O'Meara. Campaigned exclusively over seven furlongs for his new connections, he won easily at Haydock in August and races off a four pounds higher mark (98). Third at Goodwood last time, the Sergei Prokofiev gelding has only raced three times over this trip (555) and will be suited by a fast run six furlongs. His record on good to soft and soft is 13183. His stable have won the Ayr Gold Cup twice (Louis The Pious (2014) & Summerghand (2022)). He is worth a saver at 40/1 (Paddy Power & Sky Bet).

The draw for the Ayr Gold Cup takes place on Thursday morning - fingers crossed we get some favourable ones.

Don't forget, it is possible to  pre order the new edition of One Jump Ahead & Updates (currently at the printers) via the Publications section of the site. The Autumn Update is due to be emailed to clients on Thursday 24th September - the Update will feature the Autumn double, namely the Cambridgeshire & Cesarewitch.