Tudhope & Goldie the men to follow on Friday
Steve Hughes has selections from two races at Ayr on Friday
The Western Meeting continues at Ayr and the action goes up a gear with a couple of listed races and two cracking handicaps. It is the two handicaps that I am concentrating on including the Bronze Cup which might give us an indicator on any draw bias for the Gold Cup itself on Saturday.
Ayr 3.45: Look Out Louis & Tommy G
Two against the field for this cavalry charge.
Look Out Louis got off to a flyer this season, winning back to back races at Haydock and Thirsk in the spring. He was prominent throughout in those races, displaying the sort of high cruising speed necessary for these types of contests. He probably reached the limit of his ability rating wise after that and seemed to lose a bit of heart for a couple of races after that. However he is drifting back down the weights now and he did a lot better at York last time when fifth. That should set him up nicely for today.
The alternative is the older Tommy G, a four times course winner at his local track. Three of those wins have been at 7f, but a strongly run 6f does seem to bring out the very best in him. That was certainly the case when a fine third in the Stewards Cup consolation at Glorious Goodwood last month. He did better than seventh would suggest when given too much to do by an inexperienced amateur at Doncaster last week. Danny Tudhope ought to be more effective on the gelding today.
Ayr 4.20: Theglasgowwarrior
Although trainer Jim Goldie has not tried Theglasgowwarrior too often at 2m and beyond, he has done nothing wrong and on drying going can be expected to last home this afternoon over 17f.
Since joining his current trainer he has run just three times at 2m or more. Last year he was a fine fifth in the Cesarewitch, showing no signs of stopping close home. He filled the same position in the Northumberland Plate consolation this summer and most recently was second in the Shergar Cup stayers event over 2m.
He also ran well to be third at the Doncaster Leger meeting last week and this race represents a slight drop in grade. He will get his favoured good going with another dry day expected and rates good each-way value.
Recommended bets:
0.5pts each-way – Look Out Louis – 3.45 Ayr – 50/1 Bet365 (¼ odds 1st 5)
1pt each-way – Tommy G – 3.45 Ayr – 7/1 general Bet365 (¼ odds 1st 5)
0.75pts each-way – Theglasgowwarrior – 4.20 Ayr – 8/1 general
Next column – Saturday 21st September – Ayr final day
