A HIGH draw looks essential in the totesport Ayr Gold Cup (3.10) today, with Cardinal Venture getting the vote. He looked better than ever in the summer, following a five-length win at Haydock in June with a close eighth, despite the firm ground being against him, behind Lafi in the Wokingham Handicap at Royal Ascot.
He was probably still feeling the effects of that effort when disappointing in the Bunbury Cup at Newmarket the following month and should have been freshened up by a subsequent ten-week break. His ability to stay seven furlongs should stand him in good stead in the prevailing testing conditions and he will be difficult to peg back if able to get to the lead on the favoured stands’ rail early on.
Dandy Nicholls saddled the winner of this three years in a row from 2000 and again holds a strong hand with five runners. The pick of them may be Continent, winner of this in 2001. He showed that he retains plenty of ability when winning a hot conditions race at Nottingham last month and should be forgiven a poor run last time as he found five furlongs on fast ground at Leicester too sharp.
Of the remainder, last year’s winner Quito is 14lb higher in the ratings but has the class to go close, while the pick of those drawn low is King’s Caprice, who should relish the underfoot conditions.
Nufoos has solid claims in the TSG Firth of Clyde Stakes (2.00). She disappointed when eighth in the Cherry Hinton at Newmarket in July, but returned from a seven-week break with a comfortable win in a nursery at Beverley and can cope with this return to pattern company.
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Airwave has been a frustrating filly to follow for the past two seasons, but she can reward her supporters by landing the Dubai International Airport World Trophy (2.20) at Newbury. She was too close to the early pace when a below-par sixth to Bahamian Pirate in the five-furlong Nunthorpe Stakes on her penultimate start and was again ridden too prominently when only eleventh over a furlong farther in the Sprint Cup at Haydock last time.
At her best when held up in a strongly-run race over five furlongs, she should have her ideal conditions and looks sure to go close. Her trainer, Henry Candy, has his runners in terrific form and Airwave rates excellent value at 8-1 with Ladbrokes.
The progressive Galeota can land the Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes (3.25). Always held in high regard by Richard Hannon, his trainer, Galeota was stepped up to group two company after winning his maiden at Windsor, finishing a fair fifth to Tony James in the Gimcrack Stakes at York. He disappointed next time out at Kempton, but bounced back to form when impressively beating Rajwa at Doncaster last time. With that confidence-boosting success under his belt, he can take this.
Gatwick looks sure to go close in the John Smith’s Handicap (4.00). Highly tried earlier in the year — he finished tenth in the Derby — he showed himself to be a classy handicapper when winning a competitive contest at Beverley last time, staying on strongly to collar the front-running Invasian despite twice being hampered. He can make light of a 5lb penalty and should be backed at 13-2 with Coral.
The valuable Watership Down Stud Sales Race (2.50) has attracted a large field but Salamanca stands out. She beat Halle Bop (good winner since) over six furlongs here on her debut despite meeting trouble in running and, with this slightly longer trip sure to suit, can follow up.
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SCOOP 6
Leg 1: Airwave
2.20 Newbury
Leg 2: Harry Potter
2.35 Ayr
Leg 3: Cardinal Venture
3.10 Ayr
Leg 4: Galeota
3.25 Newbury
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Leg 5: Gatwick
4.00 Newbury
Leg 6: Looks Could Kill
4.15 Ayr
Bonus: £269,028 carried forward