Ed content to put his put his faith in Great Ambassador
Ed Walker hopes Great Ambassador can capture the Virgin Bet Ayr Gold Cup before going on to sprinting stardom next summer.
The exciting four-year-old is bound for Scotland, following a smooth success in Listed company at York last Sunday.
That length-and-a-half defeat of Tabdeed in a classy four-runner race confirmed Great Ambassador a gelding of serious promise.
Next is the rough and tumble of the famous Ayr cavalry charge, with Walker determined to land a big handicap then target Group races.
The Lambourn trainer’s best-laid plans for Great Ambassador this season haven’t worked out.
Walker plotted for the Wokingham at Royal Ascot before the heavens opened, and he was withdrawn.
Then rain and a bad draw stymied Stewards’ Cup hopes.
That Goodwood third was a fine effort, however, and Great Ambassador followed up with a Newmarket handicap win before York.
Walker said: “The agonising thing is, given his level of form, he probably could have won both the Wokingham and Stewards’ Cup if things had been a little kinder to us.
“The Ayr Gold Cup has been firmly in mind ever since. York was a bit of a lastminute decision, the race cut up and became a no-brainer that paid off.
“It has, potentially, hindered our chances at Ayr, having a 5lb penalty. But it was a lovely race to win, and he seems to have taken it very well.
“I still think he goes to Ayr well in by
4 or 5lb. This is our chance to bag a big handicap.”
Walker will be on weather watch for the current 6/1 favourite, praying for a sound surface on Saturday – the third day of a cracking meeting.
The six-furlong showpiece itself boasts a prize fund of £150,000, with £77,310 going to the winner.
Walker’s Aeolus finished ninth in 2016, but both Great Ambassador and his other possible runner – the progressive threeyear-old Popmaster – are classier.
The trainer has shown his flair, handling sprint quality by earning Group One success with Starman in the July Cup. A new top performer could be about to emerge.
“Great Ambassador is very exciting for next season,” said Walker. “He’s the best workhorse in the yard, and a pleasure to train.
“The way he won at York suggests he can be competitive at the highest level. I’d imagine Ayr will be his last run this season.
“We could start him off again in Dubai before going for the big summer sprints.
“He’s got form on the July course and at Ascot, over further, when with Ralph Beckett.
“The world’s his oyster, really. He’s going to be a real fun horse for the owners, and our stable.”