Gold Cup’s big guns stand tall
Bookies see cash for Johnny Barnes
At Tuesday noon there was a scratchings stage for the William Hill Ayr Gold Cup.
But I’m glad to report that most of the big guns stood their ground and it’s becoming more and more likely this will be one of the classiest renewals of the famous race.
The latest horse to attract a bit of support in the betting market is the John Gosden trained Johnny Barnes, an impressive winner of the £ 100,000 Class 2 Grosvenor Handicap at Goodwood on Saturday.
Ridden by young Robert Tart, this five- year- old got a dream run through on the inside to lead at the furlong pole and win cosily by a length from Burnt Sugar.
Saturday’s race was over seven furlongs but Johnny Barnes ran a blinder in last year’s Gold Cup when he ran into all sorts of trouble a furlong and a half out and then again inside the final and he finished eighth of 25 that day behind Brando.
John Gosden fancies another crack at the £ 200,000 Ayr race and sponsors William Hill have cut the horse to 14- 1 outright second favourite behind the 12- 1 chance Shanghai Glory from the Charlie Hills yard.
There’s also been significant support for the David O’Meara trained Edward Lewis who ran a big race at York last week to finish second behind Desert Law in the £ 70,000 Symphony Group Handicap.
Interestingly, Danny Tudhope took the mount for the first time – the horse is normally ridden by stable apprentice Josh Doyle – and I am hearing he will most certainly be in the plate come September 23. The fouryearold is generally available at 16- 1.
No Irish horse has won the Ayr Gold Cup in living memory but three of the highest rated horses in the race are all trained in the Emerald Isle. They are Gordon Lord Byron from Tom Hogan’s yard, Jonjo Stack’s Son Of Rest and the Ger Lyons trained Ardhoomey.
And the Charlie Hills camp report that Magical Memory will run in the Group 1 32Red Sprint Cup at Haydock on September 9.
If performing well, he will then proceed to Ayr for the William Hill Ayr Gold Cup for which he has a BHA rating of 110.
It’s worth noting that at this stage 41 horses still standing their ground hold a rating of 100 or higher.
Other tit bits for you in the build- up to the Gold Cup Festival include the shrewd Malton trainer John Quinn lining up Sunday’s Beverley winner Shaheen for the nursery handicap and don’t be surprised if Iain Jardine gives Hibou, a shade disappointing at the Curragh on Sunday, a run in the Listed William Hill Doonside Cup.
To book tickets for the Gold Cup, go on line at www. ayrgoldcup. co. uk or phone 01292 264179.