This Saturday Ayr racecourse hosts one of its biggest race days with the Virgin Bet-sponsored Ayr Gold Cup the showcase event on an 8-race card. We can expect another big field of 20+ horses heading to post on Saturday at 3:35pm, one of which will be the 2022 winner and veteran sprinter Summerghand – who will be hoping to end a 92-year Ayr Gold Cup stat.
Summerghand Looking To End 92 Year Ayr Gold Cup Stat
Last year, Summerghand, who is trained by David O’Meara, won the 2022 Ayr Gold Cup (watch below) aged 8 year-old, and despite having another year on his back returns to the Scottish venue for the first time since that win on Saturday.
Yes, now aged 9 years-old he’s back for more and will be trying and become the first back-to-back horse to land the big sprinting handicap since Heronslea in 1930 and 31 – 92 years ago.
Summerghand’s win in the race 12 months ago was also supplying trainer David O’Meara his second in the race after winnning in 2014 with Louis The Pious.
But, it’s the Kevin Ryan camp that has the best Ayr Gold Cup record in recent years – with 5 wins since 2007.
One of those Ryan successes came only two season’s back (2021) with Bielsa and, just like Summerghand, could also be running again this Saturday.
Another Ayr Gold Cup Past Winner Returns
Bielsa is now an 8 year-old and if he can wrestle back his Ayr Gold Cup crown, he’ll repeat what the Dandy Nicholls-trained Funfair Wane did back in 2004 and 2006.
This season, Summerghand has returned in great order too – having run 11 times in 2023 – and of those outing also took a nice York handicap sprint over 6f just last month.
While, he’ll also head to Ayr on Saturday having hit the top four in all his last last quartet of races.
In addition, Summerghand will be the top-rated horse in Saturday’s Ayr Gold Cup with a mark of 105 and, as a result, is set to carry a hefty weight (10-1). That said, he’s still only rated 3lbs higher than his win in 2022.
The best UK horse racing betting apps give both recent winners a big chance, with Summerghand @ 10/1 and Bielsa @ 14/1, just behind the current Ayr Gold Cup favourite Orazio @ 8/1 – trained Charles Hills, who feels this horse is still capable of turning into a Listed or Group race performer.
The betting odds listed are offered by the Ayr Gold Cup race sponsor Virgin Bet – where you can bet £10 to get a £20 free bet (Ts&C’s apply)
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WATCH: Summerghand Landing The 2022 Ayr Gold Cup
2023 Ayr Gold Cup Race Info
🕙Time: 3:35pm
📅Date: Saturday 23rd Sept 2023
🏇Racecourse: Ayr
💰: Winner: £92,772
📺 TV: Racing TV / ITV4
🎲 Odds: Orazio 8/1 | Significantly 10/1 | Summerghand 10/1 |
Ayr Gold Cup Betting Odds
See the latest Ayr Gold Cup betting odds from race sponsors Virgin Bet
- Orazio 8/1
- Significantly 10/1
- Summerghand 10/1
- Aleezdancer 11/1
- Juan Les Pins 12/1
- Rohaan 12/1
- Albasheer 14/1
- Bielsa 14/1
- 16/1 Bar
Note: Odds are subject to change and others on request
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Andy Newton is a well-known horse racing and sports betting writer that specialises in using key trends and stats to help find winners and unique betting approaches. Over the years, Andy has built up many industry contacts, including with some of the leading horse racing stables in the UK with his time running the Trainers-Quotes site and has also ghost-written for former top jockey Richard Dunwoody. Andy is also the former sports betting editor of odds comparison site Easyodds and JuiceStorm and appeared on many betting podcasts for MatchBook and BetBright. You can also find his views via his monthly Racing Ahead magazine column, which he’s held a slot for over 10 years. Now a regular on Bettingsites.co.uk too giving his views, trends and tips mainly on horse racing and football - so if there's a stat to be unearthed and it's a sport, Andy is sure to find an interesting betting angle. Here’s a look at a sampling of where Andy’s expertise has been mentioned: Racing Ahead Magazine Trainers-Quotes JuiceStorm GeeGeez
