Racing fans raise a glass to Gold Cup date
O’Meara enters Ayr Gold Cup with a strong hand
Regulars at one popular pub are already under starter’s orders for next month’s big racing festival.
The Ayr Gold Cup will see thousands pour into town for three days of high- class racing.
And the famous old trophy went on display at the Tam O’Shanter boozer, where thirsty customers lined up for a picture opportunity.
The festival gets underway on September 19.
Richard Fahey’s six yearold Mr Lupton has been allocated top weight in this year’s William Hill Ayr Gold Cup.
But I very much doubt we will see the horse in action at the track next month as it is 15 months since he last contested a handicap and has Group 2 and Group 3 wins to his credit.
Also high up in the weights is Dakota Gold who I highlighted last week after he’d won the Great St Wilfrid at Ripon.
Here appeared last Wednesday to win the Sky Bet and Symphony Group Handicap at York and his trainer Michael Dods has officially stated that Ayr is now his prime target.
Now rated 109, Dakota Gold will certainly take all the beating at Ayr and what a fairytale it would be for his rider Connor Beasley if he was to win.
Connor rode his first ever winner at Ayr on the Friday of the William Hill Ayr Gold Cup Festival back in 2012 and was presented with his prize by Prince Charles.
The course has always been special to Connor and he would like nothing better than to win the Ayr Gold Cup.
I don’t want to put anyone off the 10- 1 favourite but I think David O’Meara holds the key to this year’s £ 200,000 William Hill race.
His Summerghand was second to Dakota Gold at Ripon while another of his horses, Arecibo, was beaten less than a length by the Dods horse in finishing third at York.
Of the two the latter could be the one to be on as he will be receiving 9lb from Dakota Gold on September 21 which makes him 3lb better off than he was last Wednesday.
He is currently 20- 1 with Hills.