THE Ayr Gold Cup is one of the biggest betting races of the year – and one of the trickiest to get right.
So who better than Templegate to show you the way?
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Here, he goes through every runner one by one, rating them from one star (worst) to five stars (best).
At the bottom you’ll find his tip and 1-2-3 prediction for the 3.35pm race live on ITV.
Back any horse you fancy simply by clicking their odds.
Templegate’s Ayr Gold Cup runner-by-runner guide
TWO TRIBES 4
TWO good. Major handicap wins at Ascot and Goodwood this summer and confirmed form with a strong York fourth last time. Trip looks ideal and he handles cut. Remains fairly treated and brings solid, consistent form to the table.
HAMMER THE HAMMER 2
HAMMER hammered. Rattled up a sequence in the spring on AW and turf before second at Royal Ascot. Didn’t handle Goodwood last time and best form on quick ground. Needs to find his very best.
TOYOTOMI 3
TOY story. Listed winner in France but hasn’t fired since joining David O’Meara. Two modest runs for the yard but gets his favoured soft ground here. Needs his best but trainer is in form.
NORTHERN TICKER 4
LOTS of Ticker. Progressive sprinter who won at York last month in fine style, travelling strongly and finishing off well. He goes on any ground and should have more to come. Still looks on a workable mark and highly respected.
JORDAN ELECTRICS 3
JOR blimey. Had a superb 2024 and competitive this season with strong York fifth followed by unlucky Doncaster effort. 6f his best trip, ground no issue. Admirable handicapper though perhaps vulnerable to younger improvers at this level.
ALFA KELLENIC 3
ALFA female. Thrived in 2024 with six wins including this venue’s Silver Cup. Absent since October but still well handicapped if retaining ability. 6f ideal, ground fine. Absence a concern but new trainer should have her fit.
ARAMRAM 3
RAM raid. Has been consistent this term and handles 6f as well as cut underfoot. Has run well in big races off this mark. Stable form a positive. One of many in the each-way picture.
COMMANCHE FALLS 2
FALL guy. Battle-hardened handicapper who was second in York’s big sprint behind Northern Ticker. Flopped at Doncaster next time but excuses. Effective at 6f on most ground. Getting on but wouldn’t be a shock in the places.
PUROSANGUE 3
SANG on song. Has been running well in handicaps including over further at Doncaster last time. Best with cut in the ground and first-time cheekpieces may help with Oisin Murphy back on board.
FLASH HARRY 4
HARRY in hurry. Lightly raced 3yo improving fast since joining Clive Cox. Impressive Wolver maiden win followed by Goodwood handicap success. Hood has sharpened him and 6f looks perfect. Conditions no problem and plenty more to come.
WE NEVER STOP 1
STOP it. AW sprint champion in spring and had excuses in big-field York handicap latest when going too quick. Not the same on turf.
AIN’T NOBODY 3
AIN’T out of it. Flew home when second in Nunthorpe at 100-1 before a por run at Haydock last time when badly drawn. Effective at 6f but best form at 5f but likes it soft. Best form would give him a chance.
TWILIGHT CALLS 2
CALLS off. Solid Stewards’ Cup fifth and York run can be marked up as he wasn’t ideally placed. Stays 6f well and handles most surfaces. Often slowly away but strong finisher when on song. Needs things to fall right.
SEVEN QUESTIONS 1
QUESTION marks. Palace House Stakes winner in 2024 but hasn’t reached that level this season. Stays 6f, ground fine but hard to fancy on current form.
RUN BOY RUN 3
ON the Run. Dependable sprinter who has repeatedly hit the frame in competitive handicaps. Fourth in Portland last time showed his consistency again. Stays 6f, handles varying ground, wears headgear. Genuine and reliable but may find one or two better treated.
STRIKE RED 3
RED alert. Ran a stormer when second to Two Tribes in Goodwood’s Stewards’ Cup before running better than ninth suggests at York. Effective at 6f and handles cut. Reliable and every chance of making the frame again.
SOLAR ACLAIM 2
SOLAR in shadow. In good heart with wins at Chester and Yarmouth earlier this summer. Well below form latest at Ascot though. Best with cut in the ground but needs more to strike at this level.
BADRI 1
BAD form. Veteran sprinter with Windsor win in July but below form on last two starts. 6f ideal and ground not an issue. Capable when things fall right though recent form puts you off. Needs to turn back the clock to figure.
MILFORD 2
RUN of the Mil. Showed ability when second at Ascot in August before meeting trouble in running at York when well beaten. Stays 6f, handles cut but needs the first-time cheekpieces to work.
GO ATHLETICO 1
GO gone. Irish-trained 7yo who won at The Curragh in July but lesser efforts since including Galway seventh. Stays 6f and the ground holds no fears. Has talent but is 8lb higher than last win and must find more.
FAHRENHEIT SEVEN 3
FAHR to go. Improving sprinter who has been progressive this season with Pontefract and Hamilton wins. Stays 6f well and handles cut. Profile still improving and may not have reached peak yet. Interesting on debut for new trainer Robert Cowell.
BERGERAC 2
BER grilled. Game veteran who ran well again at York last time. Was third in the Silver Cup here last year and that’s probably about his level these days. Likes some cut but likely to find a few too good.
JUBILEE WALK 5
WALK on. Excellent second in a big Ascot handicap latest and continues to progress this year for James Ferguson. Stays 6f and ground no concern. Has run well in big-field events and looks a big price to at least make the frame.
DESERT FALCON 3
FALCON flying. Has done little wrong this season with two wins and a pair of places from just four runs. Arrives here fresh and likes this trip. Soft ground is a worry but he’s in the form of his life.
KODI LION 3
LION roars. Started the season well with a win at Haydock in decent company and he’s run well without winning a couple of times since. Likes soft ground and dropping back to 6f looks a wise move. Yet another who could be in the places.
Templegate’s Ayr Gold Cup and 1-2-3 prediction
JUBILEE WALK loves a big field as he showed when going mighty close at Ascot last time for trainer James Ferguson. The handicapper has left his mark alone and these conditions should be ideal.
1st Jubilee Walk
2nd Northern Ticker
3rd Two Tribes
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