Hi all,
Plenty of good action today at Ayr where it’s the concluding day of the Western Meeting and the big betting race of the day the Ayr Gold Cup (3:35).
There’s Group 2 action at Newbury where the Mill Reef Stakes (3:15) is the centerpiece of a seven race card.
Across the Irish Sea at the Curragh there’s also Group 2 action with the Beresford Stakes. Just six have been declared with Aidan O’Brien saddling three of them. Add in a big field 5f Premier Handicap (3:50) and Irish punters have good card to get stuck into.
ITV4 are covering the best of the action at Ayr & Newbury on a nine race programme this afternoon.
In today’s main piece I’m looking at the first two races on ITV from Ayr.
Ayr
1:15 – Previous course winner Titan Rock was back to form when 2nd of 9 at Thirsk last time. That was the 5-year-old’s first run for 11 weeks and this race has probably been the plan. Diamondonthehill is a consistent 7f/1m handicapper who should give his running once more. Revich won this corresponding race and was a ½ length third last year. A winner at Chester in May the 7-year-old was back to form when a 2 length 3rd of 12 to Master Zoffany back at Chester 21 days ago. Has nothing in hand of the handicapper off 95 but likely to go close.
1:50 – Virgin Bet Daily Extra Places Doonside Cup Stakes (Listed Race) – 1m 2f
With likely favourite My Prospero a non-runner it gives Royal Rhyme a good opportunity to make a winning step into Listed company. The 3-year-old improved plenty for the return to an easy surface when winning a 15 runner handicap at Goodwood last month. Looked a Group horse in a handicap last time and with ease underfoot can prove up to the task of winning this. His biggest rival looks to be Irish challenger Helvic Dream. He’s just had the three starts this season and produced a seasonal best when a 2 ¼ length 3rd of 6 in a Group 3 at the Curragh last month. Mostly out of form since winning a Group 1 in 2021 this was a step back in the right direction and if he can build on last time he can’t be easily ruled out.
Saturday Selection:
Ayr
1:15 – Revich – 9/2 or bigger.
There’s a good card at the Curragh tomorrow so I will probably do a short Sunday column this week.
Good luck with your Saturday bets.
John