Baron Bolts up to claim a dead-heat at Gold Cup
Son Of Rest and Baron Bolt dead-heated in a thrilling finish to yesterday’s William Hill Ayr Gold Cup.
Fozzy Stack’s Son Of Rest (5-1 favourite) had been antepost favourite all week after finishing second in Group One company only last weekend.
The handicapper had him 10lb ‘well-in’ and when he shot clear under Chris Hayes a furlong out, the gamble looked to have been landed.
However, Paul Cole’s Baron Bolt (28-1) burst out of the pack in the hands of Cam Noble and chased down the Irish raider, with the pair crossing the line together, well clear of the rest.
There was an agonising wait for punters and connections of both horses, but after around five minutes a dead-heat was announced.
Cole said at his Whatcombe base: “It was a thrilling finish, they are two good horses, but I think it’s a great result for the race, a dead-heat – we’d have settled for that before.
“He was a little bit unlucky, but he’s a very nice horse and I think he deserves what he gotthere.”
Noble admitted: “I’d rather share it than get second. I’m delighted, it’s my first ride for Mr Cole and I can’t thank him enough. I’m based with Michael Bell in Newmarket and things are going great for me at the moment.”
Stack said of the first Irishtrained winner of the race: “I thought he’d got back up, but I said to Brian Parker (owner) coming off the stand that I’d settle for a dead-heat.
“We’re thrilled, we’re over the moon and to be the first Irish winner makes it more special.
“It just shows how hard it is, but these guys up here think of nothing else but this race.
“Just maybe – we’ll see how he is and I’ll chat to Brian – but if the ground is in our favour we may just supplement him for Ascot (British Champions Sprint) if the ground was in his favour.”
Hayes, who was fourth aboard G Force in 2016, said: “I knew I was in front too soon, but in fairness to him he keptgoingandgotmeoutof trouble. I thought I was beat, so it’s a bit of a result.”