HIGH — That’s what I need on Saturday if I’m going to get any chance of a result in two huge sprint handicaps at Ayr.
I’m talking, of course, about the draw for the Ladbrokes Ayr Silver and Gold Cup handicaps, which are both live on ITV Racing.
I’m telling you right now. If there is a low number bias I’m down and out.
In the Silver Cup I’m all over BINHAREER (2.25). He’s in stall 19.
In the main event it’s an each-way blow with STRIKE RED, (3.35) and he’s in box 20. Keep everything crossed.
History suggests I have a chance.
Last year’s Ayr Gold Cup winner Lethal Levi was in 20, just like Strike Red.
Added to which, from 2018 to 2023 those who came out on top were berthed in 17, 21, 24, 13, 25, 12 and 14.
But the draw is never an exact science.
The best place to be is often where the pace is early in the race, and even that can be hard to predict.
It only takes one horse who doesn’t normally kick on to do so and plans go out the window for everyone.
In the Silver Cup, Binhareer really should take some stopping for William Haggas and Oisin Orr.
The lightly raced three-year-old ran a huge race when third off today’s mark of 90 to Brosay at Ascot earlier this month and is unexposed at this trip having been running over further.
He scored smoothly at this track over course and distance in July and everything is in place for a massive effort.
As for the main event, the Ayr Gold Cup, Strike Red is a horse who should give us a run for our money.
Trained by Richard Fahey and ridden by Billy Garrity, my selection has a mark of 95 which is workable for this tough sprinter and he was a fine second in similar conditions to re-opposing Two Tribes in the Stewards’ Cup.
He was also 12th in this last year, but that was on good to firm and I think he’s better with some cut like he will get in this.
An each-way chance.
It’s a big day for two unbeaten horses on ITV for two special owners.
INTO THE SKY (3.15), now part-owned by Doreen Tabor, the wife of mega Coolmore ‘lad’ Michael Tabor, runs for Jim Boyle in the Group 2 Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury.
Up at Ayr, LIGHTNING POLKA (3.00) is in action for the King and Queen in the Group 3 Ladbrokes Firth of Clyde Stakes.
Both events are for juveniles and are linked by one man, jockey Kieran Shoemark.
The latter was on board Into the Sky when he was impressive on debut at the Berkshire track.
Shoemark also partnered Lightning Polka when she was successful first time at Haydock.
The jockey heads to Ayr, but don’t read too much into that as far as dissing Into the Sky is concerned.
Shoemark is building a good rapport with Lightning Polka’s handler Ed Walker, and this is very much a sign of loyalty.
Another horse worth a mention today is Haggas’s MONTASSIB (1.30), who returns after a 336-day absence in Newbury’s Group 3 Dubai International Airport World Trophy Stakes over 5f.
If he’s ready he could easily outclass the field and will enjoy coming off a decent gallop.
In 2021, when Bielsa took the main event, this column was lucky enough to find the winners of both Ayr’s big handicaps that take place on Saturday.
Considering my Gold Cup’s name, let’s just hope lightning ‘strikes’ twice!
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