Ramazan has looked a strong candidate for this race all year and while a 3lb rise for finishing second at Ripon last month isn't ideal, he still looks sure to make a bold bid. His stablemate Strike Red, who ran so well at the Ebor meeting, would have been even higher on the shortlist had he not failed to fire at this meeting twice previously. There hasn't been a Scottish-trained winner of the race since 1975 but Jim Goldie saddles two major contenders in Jordan Electrics and American Affair (second choice), both of whom have made giant strides this year while showing no sign of their progress coming to a halt. Rohaan and Mostabshir also have claims but the dark horse in the field is ROOM SERVICE (nap). His two standout efforts have come on soft ground but he's shown clear promise on a sound surface and he was well on top at the finish when winning at Pontefract in July. This test should suit him well, he's had a wind op since last in action and he can provide Kevin Ryan with a sixth Ayr Gold Cup.[Paul Smith]
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Seeking his first win of the campaign but this two-time Stewards' Cup hero retains serious ability, as evidenced by his close third at the Ebor meeting (6f, good to firm; blinkered first time); wouldn't judge him too harshly on his latest Beverley fourth (5f); while he's lumbered with top weight, he finished second in this race two years ago off a 2lb higher mark; should run his race but minor money perhaps his best hope.
Better known for his exploits over further and he was tapped for speed at a crucial stage in this race 12 months ago; he's better than ever as a 6yo, placed in competitive 1m handicaps at York before a dominant all-the-way success in a valuable Ascot handicap in July (7f, good to firm; cheekpieces for the first time); 4lb rise less of a concern than the trip.
Tough handicapper who was pipped at the post by Significantly here 12 months ago; better than ever when again collared in the shadow of the post in the Victoria Cup in May; found stablemate Dare To Hope just too strong in the Great St Wilfrid five weeks ago, doing best of the smaller far-side group; the 3lb rise for that effort could just scupper him but he looks rock solid to run well.
His ability isn't in question but his habitual slow starts make life demanding; comes here on the back of three good runs at York but not sure this stiffer 6f will prove optimal.
Looked a strong candidate for major sprint handicap honours last spring but he came up short when favourite/joint favourite in the Wokingham/Stewards' Cup/this race in 2023; two of his four runs this year bring him right into the reckoning, notably his third in the Wokingham, but he's 3lb higher today and others appeal more.
Progressive as 2yo, running well at the Ebor meeting before powering clear in a sales race at Doncaster's St Leger meeting (6.5f, soft); came up short in Group 3 and Listed events at Newbury in the spring but he made light of a BHA mark of 100 when dropped back into handicap company at Pontefract in July, strong at the finish and looking to have more in the tank; that run, as well as the peak 2yo effort, was on soft ground but he has form on a faster surface; has had a wind op since Pontefract; this is likely to have been the plan for a while and he's a major player.
Front-runner; only ninth in the race 12 months ago off a 6lb lower mark; revitalised by the addition of blinkers this summer, winning 6f/7f handicaps at Newbury and placed in the Wokingham and Bunbury Cup; should make a bold bid but could be a sitting duck late on.
He was well backed when winning a small-field C&D handicap in May but even his most fervent supporters would have struggled to envisage the progress that has followed this summer, adding six more sprint handicaps and soaring up the weights; better than ever when second at York's Ebor meeting (5.5f, good to firm) last month, form that has been well advertised since; races off the same mark today and he is one of two good chances for Jim Goldie.
Perhaps hasn't hit the heights his novice form threatened but he's still a smart performer and he acquitted himself with great credit in the Stewards' Cup seven weeks ago on his first crack at sprinting; travelled strongly on that occasion but just lacked a change of gear at a crucial stage and this track may prove a better fit; contender.
Losing run stands at 20 and he's not been at his best in his last three starts; even this year's best needs bettering and he looks vulnerable; visor tried for the first time (well held in one run in cheekpieces).
Sufficient evidence to suggests he's better on AW now and unplaced in three major turf handicaps this summer; ended up last of six, beaten 11l, in a 7f Group 2 at York four weeks ago but that doesn't tell the whole tale as he tanked through the race and traded as short as 3-1 in running at one stage before weakening; not easily recommended but the talent is there.
Drawn on the wrong side when unplaced at York last month but he'd won his two previous starts in good style, notably the big 5f handicap at Royal Ascot; stays 6f and couldn't rule out further progress after just ten runs.
2-7 for Michael Dods this year, displaying further progress at Sandown three weeks ago (7f, good); 5lb higher mark in a deeper race looks likely to find him out, though.
Beaten 3l when finishing in midfield in the corresponding event last year; showed he wasn't dependent on slow ground when impressing at York's Dante meeting in May (6f, good); Epsom wasn't to his liking when last seen; drying conditions not sure to suit though.
Ended his 2023 campaign with a third of 20 in a 5f handicap at this meeting; he's made giant strides as a 4yo, winning 5f handicaps on good to soft at Musselburgh and Thirsk in the first half of the year before taking his form to a new level with a last-gasp win in the Portland last week (5.5f, good); 3lb wrong under his penalty but he overcame adversity at Doncaster and his style of racing means it is hard to gauge where his ceiling lies; one of two good chances for Jim Goldie.
He wasn't beaten far in this race 12 months ago when rated 8lb higher; this campaign has blown hot and cold but a visor has perked him up a bit the last twice, his efforts in the Stewards' Cup (not well drawn) and at Ascot (slowly-run race wholly unsuitable) both in need of upgrading; each-way shout.
Series of good runs in competitive handicaps this year, including a second at Royal Ascot and third in the Stewards' Cup; last time can be ignored (bad draw) and he's one to consider.
Consistent mare who ran well for third in a valuable series final at Windsor six weeks ago (6f, good to firm); no reason why she wouldn't give her running but others look stronger for win purposes.
Strong at the finish when repelling stablemate Ramazan in the Great St Wilfrid five weeks ago; no obvious excuse when midfield at York off this mark one week later; stable may have stronger claims elsewhere.
C&D win as a 2yo; returned from wind and gelding operations to win a Thirsk handicap (6f, good to soft) in July; not so good twice since and yard have stronger claims elsewhere.
On a long losing run; several good runs this year, including a second of nine at Doncaster (6.5f, soft) last Sunday, but this looks too competitive for him now.
2yo campaign rather fizzled out after a promising start but he's turned a corner, and in some style, this year, winning four of his five starts (all at 6f, the defeat over 5f); quite possible this mark is still in range but slower ground would probably be preferable.
2lb lower than for his win in Ireland last summer; 0-7 this year but his penultimate second at York (6f, good to firm), where he travelled exuberantly before succumbing to a rapidly improving 3yo late on, was a run that suggested he was primed to strike; not well drawn in Ireland last time and ran creditably in the circumstances; would be of serious interest had he not failed to fire at this meeting in either 2021 or 2022.
Two wins at Thirsk this season and he ran a stormer for second in last year's Silver Cup; might have had a better chance of defying a big weight in that race rather than getting in here under a penalty.
1/5 Odds Place 1,2,3,4,5,6
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )
