One of the most competitive and exciting handicaps of the season takes place in SW Scotland this Saturday as Ayr stages The Ayr Gold Cup over 6 furlongs.
We check out the front runners in the market and single out our top win bet and each way outsider for the big race. Best Ayr Gold Cup bets and odds provided by our partner firms Bet365, William Hill, Bet Victor, Betfred and Boylesports.
Getting to Ayr Racecourse
By Road
The M77 links Ayr with Glasgow which is only 37 miles away and Edinburgh is an 83-mile drive. Parking is free at Ay Racecourse to all patrons and there is ample space available.
Stagecoach operates regular and reliable services to Ayr from a number of locations visit www.stagecoachbus.com for detailed timetables
By Rail
There is a regular, reliable rail service from Ayr to all parts of the country and the station is less than five minutes by road or a 21 minute walk from the course.
The Ayr Gold Cup
Each Way Offers
Bet365, Betfred and Boylesports are offering 6 places for all each way bets whilst William Hill and Bet Victor are offering 5 places.
The Big Players
Northern Ticker
Really impressed in recent York handicap, narrowly holding off classy veteran Commanche Falls by a short head. He is up to a best ever mark of 102 although gets a 5ib pull for apprentice jockey Paul Mulrennan.
However, he had things easy in that York run and this looks a lot hotter. Best odds of 11/2 with William Hill, Betfred. Bet Victor and Boylesports.
Ain’t Nobody
Has been running in top class company in recent appearances most noticeably in the Nunthorpe where he finished a strong second at whopping odds for trainer Kevin Ryan: the Thirsk based handler has a good strike rate in this race, having landed it five times since 2007.
Ain’t Nobody looks to be well treated based on that York run but his record of just 2 placings in 9 runs is a concern. Additionally, those drawn from higher stall numbers have performed better down the years over 6 furlongs. Aint Nobody is drawn number 1 stall. Others are preferred. Best odds of 17/2 with Bet Victor paying 5 places for each way bets.
Two Tribes
This four-year-old has been in cracking form for trainer Richard Spencer, notching up wins at Glorious Goodwood and Ascot over 6 and 7 furlongs, respectively. His latest outing was just three quarters of a length fourth behind Commanche Falls and Northern Ticker in the York handicap earlier this month.
Two Tribes is versatile and tough: he will no doubt be in the mix at the business end although the handicapper has a firm grip on him based on his current rating of 103 and carrying top weight. Best odds of 8/1 with Bet Victor paying 5 places for each way bets.
Strike Red
The Richard Fahey trained seven year old brings plenty of experience to this race and kept within 5 lengths of Northern Ticker, Commanche Falls and Two Tribes in the York handicap but will need to improve considerably despite getting a few pounds from the aforementioned horses. Best odds of 12/1 with William Hill paying 5 places for each way bets.
Purosangue
This Andrew Balding trained four-year-old has been the subject of some serious ante-post betting action, having been backed down from 25/1 into 12/1 in recent days.
Purosangue was involved in a bunch finish in a decent handicap at Doncaster last Sunday, however, more significantly he ran well in a listed event in his one and only appearance at Ayr back in 2023 so cannot be ruled out. Best odds of 12/1 with Bet365 paying 6 places for each way bets.
Milford
Milford has registered some decent runs at Ascot and Goodwood this season. His latest run in the Northern Ticker win at York can be ignored as he was hampered during the race on more than one occasion. Best odds of 25/1 with Bet365 paying 6 places for each way bets.
Recap
Ain’t Nobody would be the class act in the race however the stall draw number favourable whilst Two Tribes ticks all the form boxes but carries top weight. Therefore, we think an outsider is the way to go and with Milford’s one previous good run in listed company over course and distance, this looks like an excellent value each way bet.
SELECTION:
MILFORD 28/1 EACH WAY WITH BET365 PAYING 6 PLACES.
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