Wise play could be to back the Counsel
Clive Cox’s raider set to play a big hand in finish
Tom Marquand was the big story last weekend when he deputised on the St Leger winner Galileo Chrome after regular pilot Shane Crosse tested positive for Covid- 19.
And this week Tom could well be in line for another big Saturday prize as he has been booked to ride the Willie Haggas trained Nahaarr in the QTS Gold Cup.
This four year- old will definitely get a run and has won five of his nine starts and won’t be inconvenienced by the going which is likely to be on the quick side of good come Saturday afternoon.
Given his jockey- trainer connections and the fact he is owned by Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum, who is one of the leading owners in the country, there is sure to be lots of support for this classy colt who is currently 10- 1 joint favourite.
A horse that won a valuable handicap at the Curragh on Sunday also comes into the reckoning.
Richard Fahey’s Mr Lupton has run at the track before and was 20th of 24 in last year’s race but to be fair he was out of form then and has bounced back big time this season and is a 12- 1 chance.
Current joint favourite is the nine year- old Danzeno from the Mick Appleby yard who was runner up to Stone of Destiny in the Portland Handicap at Doncaster on Saturday.
I can find no trace of a nine year- old ever having won the Ayr Gold Cup and I just can’t see him troubling the judge.
One horse I do think will be doing his best work at the business end of the race is Wise Counsel, owned by Clipper Logistics, trained by Clive Cox – he won the Gold Cup in 2009 with Jimmy Styles – and likely to be the mount of Danny Tudhope.
This horse won at the meeting last year although I don’t think he will want the ground too fast.
Others I think could do well include Hey Jonesy from the Kevin Ryan yard who is likely to be partnered by Kevin Stott. Trainer Ryan has won the Ayr Gold cup four times and would love to make it number five this year.
Away from the big race the Jordan Electrics Doonside Cup on Saturday could see Jim Goldie’s Euchen Glen continue his winning ways after his recent win at Haydock.
Also on Saturday the Scotty Brand Firth of Clyde Stakes – Scotland’s only Group race – could go to the Richard Fahey- Paul Hanagan combination with Umm Kulthum. Catch up on four live races from the track on the main ITV channel on Saturday.