Having wisely resisted the temptation to get involved in the first two days of the Ayr Western meeting, Saturday’s card provides some top quality racing. There are also excellent betting opportunities at Newbury and Newmarket on what promises to be a very entertaining weekend.
The first horse that I want to be on at Ayr is the two-year-old Braidley in the opening nursery. He won so easily at Doncaster that even a hefty 10lbs rise doesn’t put me off. You wouldn’t want to take too short a price but I’m happy with the opening 4-1.
The Firth Of Clyde Stakes brings together Valonia and Coral Mist, first and second at Goodwood last month. That was Coral Mist’s first outing and she showed the benefit of the experience when winning impressively next time. Qatar Racing have moved in to purchase Valonia and are hoping that she can prove good enough to justify an entry in the Rockfel Stakes. Remember You is the form horse if Great White Eagle is as good as his Guineas price says but I’m siding with Coral Mist at 7-1.
I haven’t dabbled in the ante-post market for the Ayr Gold Cup. Over 200 entries was just too mind-blowing even for me! I’m inclined to stick with Richard Fahey’s Baccarat after the way he mowed down Spinatrix at Ripon. His trainer has admitted that he has a slight concern over the soft ground but he’s one of the few runners with pretentions of class and looks a reasonable bet at 12-1.
Fahey is also confident of a bold run from Supplicant in the Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury. Richard Hannon’s Shamshon is the obvious threat if he sees out the extra furlong but an each-way bet on Supplicant surely can’t be far off the mark at 5-1 or thereabouts. The Arc Trial may be rather grandly named but there are some decent types turning out including Godolphin’s Kassiano. He won with any amount in hand at Newmarket last time and looks to have his idea trip. I have a healthy respect for Gifted Girl but she is unproven beyond a mile whilst Camborne probably needs further.
According to the official handicapper, Jallota and Wedding Ring should bolt up in their respective £100,000 sales races. They each have upwards of 12lbs in hand on their rivals. Things don’t always work out that way but Wedding Ring is not that far behind Ihtimal whilst Jallota ran in one of the best two-year-old races in Europe when fourth to No Nay Never.
I’m also keen on the beautifully bred Casual Smile in the opener. I thought she would win at Ascot last time but she seemed to get involved in a set-to with a rival when launching her run on the outside and never quite got there. Finally, look out for Yeager in the last. His run in Arlington was brought to an abrupt end when he clipped the heels of a rival but he looked a fast improving sort when winning for us at 20-1 at Ascot. A good run on Saturday will put him in contention for the Cambridgeshire.
Ayr
1.30 Braidley 4-1 William Hill
3.15 Coral Mist 7-1 William Hill
3.50 Baccarat 12-1 888Sport
Newbury
1.50 Kassiano 13-8 William Hill
2.20 Supplicant 5-1 Coral
Newmarket
1.55 Casual Smile 13-8 Betfair
2.30 Wedding Ring 6-4 Bet365
3.05 Jallota 6-4 Paddy Power
5.55 Yeager 6-1 William Hill
Betfair:
Bet on Henrik Stenson to become the BMW PGA Championship Winner.
Paddypower:
Back Australia to take the Ashes home with them.
Betway:
Back Rafael Nadal to become the Mens French Open Winner.
Coral:
Back One For Arthur to win the Grand National.
Bet365:
Back Mexico to win the Confederations Cup.
