Brando poised for double win
Ayr Gold Cup star can strike again
All eyes will be on Haydock Park this weekend when the mighty sprinter Brando attempts to land back to back Group 1 victories in the 32Red Sprint Cup.
Last year’s William Hill Ayr Gold Cup winner is reported to be in good health by his trainer Kevin Ryan and I know from speaking to jockey Tom Eaves recently just how much the Ryan camp think of this five- year- old.
In winning at Ayr last September under a BHA rating of 110, he became the highest rated horse ever to win the coveted prize. He recently won the Group 1 Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville and since then the valuable Haydock race has been the target.
Owners Angie Bailey and Pete Tingey have had the honour of owning many fine horses I think Brando is the best of these and will prove it again on Saturday afternoon.
He won’t have it all his own way with Godolphin’s speed machine Harry Angel the ante post favourite. However, the rain which was falling earlier in the week and forecast to continue certainly won’t do the Clive Cox trained horse any favours while Brando won’t mind that at all.
Another horse likely to enjoy the predicted underfoot conditions is Tasleet while other contenders include The Tin Man and Limato.
As I write this, Brando is a best priced 9- 2 and I’ll be on. Kevin Ryan reports that although he is a five- yearold he is improving, unexposed at Group 1 level and still on the upgrade.
In a bullish statement, he added: “It’s a Group 1 and it’s far from a two horse race. But if Brando puts up the same sort of performance as he did in France he should be there or thereabouts.”
What a way to frank Ayr Gold Cup form a win at Haydock would be.
And turning to Ayr’s big race which is just over two weeks away remember one of Brando’s opponents in the Sprint Cup is Magical Memory who finished fourth in the Prix Maurice de Gheest, has group winning form and who is set to head to Ayr if giving a good account of himself on Saturday.
Other horses with entries in the £ 200,000 contest include Richard Fahey’s Kimberella who ran well enough in the Beverley Bullet on Saturday but I’m far from certain Richard would think that run good enough to plan an Ayr raid on the back of it. The same trainer could decide to run the Godolphin’s owned Toscanini who is running into a bit of form and as he will likely have several runners in the race it would be wise to wait until nearer the time and see which one stable jockey Paul Hanagan chooses and have a punt on that.
In total, this year’s William Hill Ayr Gold Cup Festival has a prize fund of £ 715,500 which is the highest ever and as a direct result of that huge financial investment by the Ayr executive expect to see some wonderful races featuring really high class runners.
On the Saturday alone there is £ 430,000 in prizemoney and over the three days no fewer than four Class 1 contests including Scotland’s only Group race, the William Hill Firth Of Clyde Stake.
With the Saturday having been a sell- out the past couple of years it would be advisable to book in advance by going online at www. ayrgoldcup. co. uk or by calling 01292 264179.
I am heading to Galston on Sunday to attend Mike Smith’s open day and I must admit I am looking forward to it .
Mike had gradually built up his string over the years and now has 27 horses in training including stable stalwarts Sophie P and Gworn. I’ll report back next week on my visit.