The big field handicap season is well upon us and The William Hill Ayr Gold Cup run over 6 furlongs is the main course on a feast of top quality handicaps at the Scottish track this Saturday. The William Hill Silver Cup also features ahead of the race, this race is designed for horses that did not make the cut for the Gold Cup.

We will take a look at the the runners and riders in The William Hill Ayr Gold Cup, and single out some of the market movers in the ante post exchanges to see where the value lies.

Let the gold hunt begin!

THE WILLIAM HILL AYR GOLD CUP

MUNTADAB

This Roger Fell trained 6 year old has been the subject of some hefty ante post backing this week having been seized upon at 40/1 and at the time of writing the best odds are just 16/1 (Coral). The money is certainly slowing down as people may realise their chance for great value is gone, but with a move from 40/1 to 16/1 we had to cover this first...

The predicted soft ground does look favourable as the Mutadab’s wins have come over good to soft or soft. However Roger Fell’s recent form has to be a worry with the trainer not noticing up a win in his horse's last 20 outings. It is also worth noting that Muntadab is dropping back in distance to 6 furlongs after having ran at 7 furlongs all season.

TERENTUM STAR

Terentum Star has also been all the rage, backed into 16/1 from 33/1, and is now best at 20/1 (Coral). This market move is almost certainly down to the fact that this Kevin Ryan trained 6 year old is featured in the Sporting Life’s six to follow in the autumn.

Kevin Ryan’s team have also been in tremendous form in the last couple of weeks, having notched up 6 wins. The horse is certainly at a very favourable handicap mark, as The Sporting Life article suggests.

SON OF REST

The current favourite Son Of Rest has also been the subject of some increased market activity. Backed into 11/2 from 7/1, the James Stack trained four year old fully justifies favouritism after an eye catching second in Group One company at The Curragh several days ago. This was over the shorter distance of 5 furlongs, but he did stay on well.

He has also escaped a penalty at The Curragh, being allowed by the handicapper to run at his previous mark of 101 for the big race on Saturday. He also appreciates a bit of cut in the ground which most likely to be the prevailing going come Saturday. 11/2 is available from William Hill, which is great form from the race sponsor!

GROWL

Despite being slightly outclassed in the Wokingham at Ascot, Growl has come into the reckoning based on some solid performances over the season, most noticeably in The Stewards Cup at Goodwood where he stayed on well over the 6 furlongs to take 3rd. Punters have recognised this consistency and have backed him into 9/1 from 14/1. 

GOLDEN APOLLO

Tim Easterby has two entries for the William Hill Ayr Gold Cup, Flying Pursuit and Golden Apollo.

Both horses have shortened, but Golden Apollo has seen the bulk of the market activity being backed from 20/1 into 14/1 (but is still available at 16/1 with Coral, Betfred and Boylesports). He definitely entered the notebook after finishing 9th in the Doncaster Portland Handicap, keeping on well over the 5 1/2 furlongs and suggesting that the 6 furlongs is his ideal trip. He has been consistent all season and will not be troubled by any cut in the ground either.

OVERALL THEN..

This is one of the most competitive handicaps of the season and represents a colossal conundrum for punters to solve. The favourite Son Of Rest is clearly the form horse but represents poor value at 11/2 and could easily be outstayed by a younger type with less weight to carry. A horse with proven credentials on the demanding ground may be the best bet, given we are likely facing some testing conditions.

Therefore Muntadab looks like a solid each way shot. This horse has easily been the best backed all week, and it might just pay to follow the bandwagon on this one.

BEST OF LUCK AND ENJOY THE RACE!