THE Ayr Gold Cup is one of the biggest punting races of the year and the epic 25-runner cavalry charge is a sight to behold.
But can you find the winner?
Templegate has crunched the numbers and come up with his pick at the bottom of the page.
Here, he goes through all the runners and riders for the 3.35pm contest.
Back any horse at the best price by clicking their odds below.
Ayr Gold Cup runners and riders guide
SUMMERGHAND
SUMMER lovin. Won this last year and in fantastic form again with a York win and unlucky run at The Curragh last time. Can go close again.
ROHAAN
HAAN-tastic. Group 2 winner at best and likes this trip with some cut. Not disgraced in hotter race at Haydock last time and has solid place claims.
FAST RESPONSE
Most read in Horse Racing
FIVER FLUTTER
Two Ayr picks to bash the bookies on Friday plus a 6-1 Kempton fancy
TEMPLEGATE’S TIPS
My NAP looks ‘hard to beat’ for shrewd trainer George Boughey
GO WEST
Trainer makes bold decision with Live In The Dream ahead of Breeders’ Cup
FIGHT CLUB
I punched Tyson Fury’s kneecaps as a kid… now I’m a jockey who’s won millions
FAST and loose. Best form in the mud and solid Listed second at Chester last time. Claimer brings weight down and more rain would boost his chances.
NORTHERN EXPRESS
CROSS out Ex. Tries a sprint for the first time after running well over a mile at York latest. Likely to find this too sharp.
DESERT COP
COP off. Few miles on the clock but both wins came on the AW and he was poor at York last time. Plenty to find.
MONTASSIB
SUB Sib. Has shown best form over 7f including at Ascot last time. Things likely to happen too quickly for him here.
ORAZIO
ON the Raz. Kicked off the season with two good run on soft before fast ground caught him out in the Wokingham. Didn’t enjoy Goodwood last time but is better than that and can bounce back. Big player.
GWEEDORE
Dore bore. Has won here over a mile and he was poor dropped in trip at Donny last time. Mountain to climb.
ABERAMA GOLD
Usually runs well here and was a fair sixth in the Silver Cup last season. Has moved yards since and landed the Stewards’ Cup in the mud before two modest runs. Big place shout if finding his Goodwood form.
ESCOBAR
HIGH Bar. Eighth in this last year and hasn’t been firing this season over his usual longer trips. Likes it soft but hard to fancy.
GORAK
RAK off. Has shown his best form over further and has been well beaten on his past two starts at sprint level. Swerve.
ALBASHEER
SHEER thrill. Has few miles on the clock and was unlucky when only eighth at The Curragh last time. Both wins have come on quick ground which is a slight concern.
RAMAZAN
RAM raid. Has won two of past three but has clearly improved since stepping up to 7f. Can’t be ruled out but drop in trip not certain to suit.
BIELSA
BIEL deal. Won this in 2021 but flopped last year. Looked more his old self this season with a good third in the Stewards’ Cup last time. Can’t be ignored off just 1lb higher than his winning run.
OFFERS OF THE DAY
Tote: Bet £5 Get £20 in Free Bets – CLAIM HERE
Virgin Bet: Bet £10 Get £20 in free bets – CLAIM HERE
Betfair: Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets – CLAIM HERE
Paddy Power: Bet £20 and get it back as Cash if it Loses – CLAIM HERE
Sky Bet: Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Horse Racing Bets – CLAIM HERE
Tote: New customers online only. Place your first bet on racing pools for a minimum of £5 and win or lose you will receive £20 Tote Credit. £20 Tote Credit rewarded as £10 redeemable against racing bets only and £10 redeemable against UK and Irish placepot bets only. Tote Credit cannot be withdrawn, exchanged, or substituted and expires after 7 days. Qualifying bet is the first racing pool bet added to the bet-slip. Ten to Follow, virtual and football bets do not qualify. Totewin will be the qualifying bet when a Totewin and a Toteplace bet are struck at the same time. New UK & ROI customers only. 18+. Full T&Cs apply. begambleaware.org
Virgin Bet: New members. £10 min deposit & bet on sportsbook, placed & settled at 1.5 min odds within 14 days of sign-up. Win part of E/W bets. 2 non-withdrawable £10 Free Bet Tokens: accept in 7 days, valid for 7 days from acceptance (ex. E/Ws & Multiples), stakes not returned. Click here for Rules & Exclusions. Bet Responsibly. BeGambleAware.org 18+ begambleaware.org
Betfair: New Customer offer. Place a min £10 bet on the Sportsbook on odds of min 1/2 (1.5), get £30 in Free Bets. Rewards valid for 30 days. SMS verification required. Only deposits via cards will qualify. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly 18+ begambleaware.org
Paddy Power: New customers only. Place your FIRST bet on any sportsbook market and if it loses we will refund your stake in CASH. Max refund for this offer is £20. Only deposits made using Cards or Apple Pay will qualify for this promotion. T&Cs apply. Paddy's Rewards Club: Get a £10 free bet when you place 5x bets of £10+. T&Cs apply. 18+ Begambleaware.org
Sky Bet: 18+NEW CUSTOMERS ONLY. FIRST SINGLE & E/W BET ONLY ODDS OF 1/1 OR GREATER. 3 X £10 BET TOKENS. FREE BET STAKES NOT INCLUDED IN RETURNS. FREE BETS ONLY REDEEMABLE ON HORSE RACING. FREE BETS ARE NON WITHDRAWABLE. NO FREE BET EXPIRY. ELIGIBILITY RESTRICTIONS AND FURTHER T&CS APPLY. 18+ Begambleaware.org
JUAN LES PINS
JUAN to consider. Third last year from a 6lb lower mark but looked better than ever when going close in a York Listed race last time. Very soft ground wouldn’t suit but he’s a major player otherwise.
LETHAL LEVI
LEV it out. Best form has come over this trip on fast ground but handled cut when fourth at Donny last time. Will have to improve on that.
MAGICAL SPIRIT
SPIRIT willing. Likes this trip on soft and is only 1lb higher than his last win. More rain would help his chances.
MR WAGYU
YU beauty. Losing run adding up but went close in good company at The Curragh last time. Trip suits and is 5lb below last win. Could nick a place.
ALEEZDANCER
EEZ does it. Hammered in this last year but ran well with fifth in the Stewards’ Cup off this mark. Loves it heavy and more rain would give him a chance.
PROBE
PRO can go. Won over this trip at Newmarket in May but hasn’t matched that three times since. Trip and soft ground suit so he could bounce back.
PAWS FOR THOUGHT
PAWS off. Won three times after a wind op and solid run at Chester last time. Needs more at this level.
SIGNIFICANTLY
SIG on fire. In flying form all season and was just pipped in the Portland at Donny last week after a good effort in the Stewards’ Cup. Likes some cut and will be thereabouts.
MONDAMMEJ
DAMMEJ limitation. On long losing run and should find this ground too quick.
LEQUINTO
TO bad. Has won some minor contests at Windsor but looks way short of this level.
IT JUST TAKES TIME
TIME up. Fair form over this trip at lower levels but arrives here in poor form and needs to bounce back.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
Matt Hancock PUNCHED in face by footie star in first episode of Celeb SAS
MAFS UK’s Laura was on another HUGE reality show before E4 programme
Templegate's Ayr Gold Cup tip
SUMMERGHAND may be a veteran but he’s in the form of his life and can defend his crown.
Orazio will love the conditions and looks a big threat along with Juan Les Pins and Rohaan.
FREE BETS – GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS
Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. 18+. T&Cs apply. Begambleaware.org
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
- Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
- Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
- Never chases their losses
- Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
- Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
- Gamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org
Source: Read Full Article
