Tom Eaves and Brando steal the show at Ayr –
Trainer Kevin Ryan enjoys more success in Ayr Gold Cup as 11-1 shot stays strong to hold off challenge from favourite Growl. Gary McDaniel reports
NORTH Yorkshirebased trainer Kevin Ryan can lay claim to being the Godfather of the William Hill Ayr Gold Cup after Brando impressively triumphed in Scotland’s premier flat race. It was the fourth time Ryan has won Britain’s richest sprint handicap, his first success coming in 2007 with Advanced.
A bumper crowd had packed into the Ayr stands to witness the 11-1 shot keep on strong in the final furlong to hold off a challenge from the hot favourite Growl. The other places were filled out by Hoof It in third and the wellbacked G Force in fourth.
Brando’s win was a family affair, as winning jockey Tom Eaves is the fiancee of Ryan’s daughter Amy who was once a jockey herself. Eaves punched the air with delight after crossing the line.
“This is the big handicap we all want to win up here,” Eaves said. “Brando was the class horse in the race, but you always need a bit of luck to win an Ayr Gold Cup.”
At Thursday’s draw, Ryan was the only trainer to select a low to middle stall number. Ryan explained it was owner Angie Bailey who picked stall eight, which had previously provided Ryan with success in 2012 with Captain Raimus. It was also the stall of last year’s winner Don’t Touch.
“Angie said to draw stall eight if Brando came out early enough. It was her choice,” Ryan said. “I’m so thrilled for Angie, she has always wanted to win this race.”
The four-year-old was the first to carry 9st 10lbs to success since Coastal Bluff’s victory in 1996. The Pivotal gelding won a Group Three at Sandown in July and he is likely to step back up to pattern company after his Gold Cup success.
Connections of Hoof It, who finished a gallant third, were delighted with his run. The horse is co-owned by Ryder Cup golfer Lee Westwood and his agent Chubby Chandler.
The latter beamed: “It’s just brilliant to be involved in days like this. He ran well and we’ve managed to get two horses placed in the big two sprints, with Hoofalong finishing fifth behind Roudee in the Silver Cup.”
Scotland still has at least another year to wait for a home winner of the big prize, Roman Warrior being the last in 1975.
Uplawmoor trainer Jim Goldie always has the Gold Cup on his radar and Jack Dexter has been targeted for the race since his Bronze Cup success in 2012. He faded in the final furlong yesterday to finish 12th.
That summed up the meeting for Goldie, who failed to have a winner at his local track during the three days. Maybe he will target stall eight next year if he gets the chance. Scotland’s only other runner was the Keith Dalgleish-trained Ascription, who was slowly away and never landed a blow.
There was, though, Scottish success in the opening race when Dumfries-based Iain Jardine trained the two-year-old Now Children to victory as he got up to win by half a length. The Dragon Pulse colt will surely have bigger targets ahead of him.
Scotland’s only group race, the Group Three Firth of Clyde Stakes, was won by Paul Mulrennan aboard the filly Delectation.
Trainer Bryan Smart previously had success in this race with Unilateral in 2007 and Distinctive two years later. The Thirsk maiden winner was an impressive winner, streaking clear by three lengths at the finish.
“She’s a home-bred filly,” Smart said. “She worked well at home and the intention was to send her to Australia. Hopefully connections will leave her with me and we can now have a crack at the 1000 Guineas as I think she will get the trip.”