Ayr begins its hugely successful 3 day Gold Cup meeting today and we look set fair for three days of exciting racing.
This meeting has been going since 1838 with the Ayr Gold Cup becoming a handicap in 1855 (and I still have mates who haven’t backed the winner)
Now in 2013 this meeting is a three day jamboree with the ubiquitous Lady’s day thrown in for good measure. When are some of these Tracks going to stage a Men’s day I wonder or is that every day! The meeting builds to the great race itself on Saturday the Ayr Gold Cup which is now the richest sprint handicap in Europe. Such riches mean everyone comes out to play and this year is no exception with a market full of insider whispers and attempted Ante Post Coups.
Certain Trainers are of course Masters of this very specialist Art and the King now is Hambleton based Kevin Ryan who has usurped Dandy Nicholls as the Guvvnor of the sprinting World. Given the tools Nicholls is still a classy operator but does not seem to have the firepower of old whereas Ryan has legions of high quality sprinters. He is also capable of bridging the gap between Handicaps and listed/group company which is a feat the eludes most Trainers.
Ryan goes into this race with serious chances including the reigning champ Captain Ramius who was a very easy winner last year. The Captain must have heavy ground to show his best and the red hot Summer with fast ground everywhere has meant poor showings from him of course on the plus side he has edged back down the handicap. If it came up very testing he may well retain his crown which is a hugely difficult task but when you watch a rerun of last year he was breathtaking.
If the ground stays on the quick side enter the Stables other serious player our old friend York Glory. Many punters will still be hitting the Prozac with a frightening intensity after York Glory’s last appearance on a race course in the Beverley Bullet. It has already been installed as fave in the bad ride of the season as Jamie Spencer attempted to be oh so clever and produce him right on the line. It was a horror show after the horse had been smashed in the betting viewers had to endure Spencer get it horribly wrong and finish second. Compensation could await here if the ground stays decent because for me York Glory is a group horse masquerading in a handicap.
So watch the ground and punt accordingly because I have a funny feeling whatever the weather the Ryan yard will have a big say in who is victorious in Saturday’s big race.
At Stableline Gold I have my ear to the ground recording several big yards over the next three days and I intend to land some big gambles. Join us and be part of the most exciting service out there, Stableline Gold!
Back next Thursday.
Simon Holden
Stableline Gold
http://go.betfan.com/1000/130
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