Redford and Hayley the Gold bet at Ayr
I think we may need Derren Brown’s help to pick the winner of tomorrow’s William Hill Ayr Gold Cup as the six furlong cavalry charge looks harder to call than ever. The ground continues to dry out while the importance of the draw won’t be known until after the running of this afternoon’s Silver Cup and even that can be misleading.
Evens And Odds currently heads the betting at 7/1 (Hills and Boylesports) and the five-year-old has proved that he handles all types of ground. Dandy Nicholls’ charge only found Genki too good on soft ground at Glorious Goodwood on his latest start, having already won three starts earlier on road like conditions at Newmarket. However, he’s a pretty short price for one that has the ability to throw in a stinker and there are plenty of others that make more appeal at the prices.
Firstly, I like the look of the Michael Bell trained REDFORD (9/1 with Boylesports) who ran a cracker when third over seven furlongs at Ascot in July and has been drawn 26 of 27. He’s been called a few names in the past as he doesn’t always find as much off the bridle as expected. However, Hayley Turner gets on well with the gelding having won on the only occasion she has ridden him and the pair look certain to go close as long as the conditions don’t become too quick. Turner looks sure to switch our selection off and play her hand as late as possible against the stands rail.
Another who is likely to be held up is Henry Candy’s SIGNOR PELTRO at 20/1 with Hills. The son of Bertolini looked to have that valuable handicap at Ascot (where Redford eventually finished third) sewn up three starts back, but fell in a heap late on. He was given a terrible ride at Newmarket when only narrowly beaten next time and looked to run out of gas again last time. A strongly run six furlongs looks ideal and his draw in stall 8 shouldn’t be too bad with a fair amount of pace on the far side.
Elsewhere on Ayr’s Saturday card and the in-form Michael Jarvis stable have a great chance with BEYOND DESIRE in the Firth of Clyde Stakes at 2.35pm. She looked a really good filly at Goodwood on debut and only found Lady Of The Desert too good at York.
RADIOHEAD ran a great race in the Nunthorpe at York last month and the way he stayed on at the finish suggested he will appreciate the step up to six furlongs in tomorrow’s Mill Reef at Newbury (2.20pm). Half an hour later I like the look of John Gosden’s CHARM SCHOOL in the John Smith’s Handicap at 2.50pm. He’s always been held in high regard and looked on the way back on the all-weather last time. If more rain arrives then he’ll start a lot shorter than the 12/1 currently on offer.
Finally, for those of you looking for a bet this afternoon, look out for MISTER MANANNAN at Ayr in the 3.30pm contest. He’s been ultra consistent this term and deserves to win one like this. Over at Newmarket and MAGNUS THRAX can go very close in the valuable sales race at 3.40pm. He’s held in high regard at home and continues to improve.
POINTERS…
MISTER MANANNAN 3.30pm Ayr (Today)
MAGNUS THRAX 3.40pm Newmarket (Today)
RADIOHEAD 2.20pm Newbury (Tomorrow)
BEYOND DESIRE 2.35pm Ayr (Tomorrow)
CHARM SCHOOL e/w 2.50pm Newbury (Tomorrow)
REDFORD e/w 3.15pm Ayr (Tomorrow)
SIGNOR PELTRO e/w 3.15pm Ayr (Tomorrow)