July 21 / 16.05 Ayr

16.05

Good

Book Ayr Gold Cup Tickets Now Handicap

  • Prize money: £4187.2
  • 1m 0f 0y
  • Class 5
  • 10 runners
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Book Ayr Gold Cup Tickets Now Handicap

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

OUR TIP

Form: 323 BF

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Smart pedigree but unraced for Sir Michael Stoute; similar promising level of form in qualifying runs at about 1m this summer, a shade better than latest defeat at Thirsk as he wasn't persevered with when winning chance had gone; a likely type for handicaps.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

(6)

1st Sep 2026

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 5

17:45 Wolverhampton (AW)

Forest Caper

9st 10lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: David O’Meara

0-19 but has been placed ten times; returns from a break and is down to a career-low mark; hood worn on recent starts is left off; more exposed than the opposition and vulnerable to an improver.

13/2

10th

10

(2)

24th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 5

15:55 Southwell (AW)

Forest Caper

9st 4lb

J: Jason Watson

T: David O’Meara

0-18 but has shown ability as when second of nine at Newcastle (1m2f, Tapeta) ten days ago; return to this trip not a problem and he holds each-way claims again.

7/1

2nd

1

(4)

14th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 5

16:25 Newcastle (AW)

Forest Caper

9st 9lb

J: Jason Hart

T: David O’Meara

0-17 but he got right back on track when fourth of 11 in 1m Southwell handicap nine days ago, doing best of those held up off a steady pace; he's effective at this longer trip and is one for the shortlist.

6/1

Form: 763025 CD

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 8lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
All four wins at about 1m (on good and good to firm), most recently this race in 2024 when 3lb higher; looked as though he was about to strike again when close up at Doncaster in June but he wasn't in the same form there next time; still well worth considering.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

7

(5)

8th Aug 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

19:00 Ayr

Hale End

9st 4lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Michael Dods

Kept on well for a seventh career success over C&D 19 days ago but he's gone back up 5lb and has never won anything better than a Class 5; others preferred.

13/2

1st

1

(1)

20th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:00 Ayr

Hale End

9st 9lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Michael Dods

In good form in the spring, winning at Wetherby (1m, good to firm) before near misses at Thirsk and over C&D; not at his best on his last two starts but this is an ease in class and he's a major player in his bid to win this race for a second time (successful in 2024).

7/2

Form: 39-703 CD

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 6lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Both wins over C&D, on heavy and good ground; has mostly struggled for form since last summer but he's favourably treated now and did some good late work into third of six at Pontefract in June; one of three for the yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(6)

4th Oct 2025

Good

0m 7f 219y

Class 2

16:30 Redcar

Boy Douglas

9st 1lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

In prime form in July, winning twice (7f/1m) at Ayr, but the wheels seem to have come off since and he beat only one home on the same course last time; others preferred.

16/1

10th

2

(13)

20th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 50y

Class 4

16:40 Ayr

Boy Douglas

9st 12lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

Back in prime form in July, winning twice here (1m/7f), but two slightly disappointing efforts have followed and he probably needs to rebound with a career-best performance; effective on all ground.

9/1

7th

4

(5)

6th Sep 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:35 Thirsk

Boy Douglas

9st 9lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Michael Dods

Effective on fast and heavy ground; got back in the groove when winning twice at Ayr (1m/7f) in July but he was disappointing in hat-trick bid there last month; bit to prove again after that and he needs to bounce back near best.

9/1

Form: -38680 D

Last run: 26 days

W: 9st 6lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Multiple wins at 1m-1m1f; ended 2024 with some heavy defeats and, after an encouraging reappearance at Ripon in April, he's rather trod water since; yard's other runner Forest Caper is more interesting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

(1)

9th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

17:19 Leicester

Pisanello

10st 1lb

J: Conor Whiteley

T: David O’Meara

Won two in a row at Redcar (1m1f/1m, good to firm) last month and completed hat-trick at Hamilton (1m1f, good) last Saturday; he's 6lb higher than last time and has never won over this far, but he's finished strongly for his recent wins and there's still plenty of mileage in his mark on old form.

2/1

1st

2

(1)

1st Aug 2026

Good

1m 1f 35y

Class 6

21:00 Hamilton

Pisanello

9st 12lb

J: Conor Whiteley

T: David O’Meara

Bids for a hat-trick after two wins on good to firm ground at Redcar, the latest in an apprentice handicap over 1m under Conor Whiteley on Wednesday; can race off 1lb lower and shouldn't have an issue with stepping back up trip, while rain would also be no problem; major claims.

5/6

1st

5

(7)

29th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 219y

Class 6

16:50 Redcar

Pisanello

9st 5lb

J: Conor Whiteley

T: David O’Meara

Ended a two-year losing run when winning here over 1m1f on good to firm ten days ago, beating seven rivals; still well treated on his old form under a 4lb penalty and commands respect.

5/1

Form: 7-1838 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
AW winner at 7f; came from way back when winning over 1m at Musselburgh (good) on reappearance in April; has raced over different distances from 7f to 1m3f since but the return to this trip makes him interesting again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

6

(14)

31st Aug 2026

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 6

15:17 Southwell (AW)

Izzari

9st 7lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Iain Jardine

Newcastle win this time last year came off a 7lb higher mark; well backed on the drop to this company at Carlisle a few weeks ago, when faring much better, and is one to consider (likely to be dropped in as usual from the outside stall).

5/1

2nd

3

(6)

11th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 173y

Class 6

14:45 Carlisle

Izzari

10st 0lb

J: Cara Tuke

T: Iain Jardine

A dual 1m/1m2f winner in 2025; largely below par this season though and only ninth of 12 in 1m Newcastle handicap last time; others appeal more.

10/1

9th

12

(14)

25th Jul 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 5y

Class 4

16:00 Newcastle (AW)

Izzari

8st 11lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Iain Jardine

Dual winner (including here) in 2025 but his more recent turf form is much less encouraging; needs to bounce back returned to Tapeta.

40/1

Form: 238546 D

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Both wins and best form on AW but he does act on turf and a repeat of a close third at Hamilton (about 1m, good to firm) in May would make him of some interest; others higher up the list for win purposes, though.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

(6)

11th Aug 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 68y

Class 5

19:30 Hamilton

Quiet Resolve

10st 1lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Alan Brown

Patchy for Richard Fahey last year and has reverted to type for his new yard this time, having kicked off with a C&D win off 2lb lower in May; does like it here though, and this a bit easier, having been said to have hung right at Chester last time.

8/1

6th

4

(5)

25th Jul 2026

Good

0m 7f 127y

Class 4

14:28 Chester

Quiet Resolve

9st 9lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Alan Brown

No further progress since his successful yard debut over Hamilton's extended 1m in May and others look on better terms with the handicapper.

12/1

4th

3

(5)

11th Jul 2026

Good

1m 0f 68y

Class 4

19:50 Hamilton

Quiet Resolve

9st 9lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: Alan Brown

Ended a long losing sequence (on his yard debut) over C&D in May but comes here on the back of a below-form sixth at Newcastle (1m) last month; needs to get back on track.

9/2

Form: /197-0

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 1lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Back from a layoff when winning 6f novice at Pontefract (heavy) in 2024 but he hasn't looked well treated in handicaps at up to 1m since, most recently in June after a year off; probably other days.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

(2)

12th Aug 2025

Good

0m 5f 182y

Class 5

14:45 Carlisle

Close Connection

9st 8lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

Two poor efforts this summer, back from a year off, and goes in first-time headgear today; run poorly all starts aside from his heavy-ground novice win last spring and is hard to enthuse about.

25/1

9

(3)

21st Jul 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:05 Ayr

Close Connection

9st 1lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: Michael Dods

Back from a layoff when winning 6f novice at Pontefract (heavy) in 2024 but he hasn't looked well treated in handicaps at up to 1m since, most recently in June after a year off; probably other days.

25/1

6

(3)

27th Jun 2025

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 4

18:30 Newcastle (AW)

Close Connection

9st 9lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

Won Pontefract novice last April on 3yo return so first time up may be the time to catch him; however, he was down the field last May and June in his two handicaps and has something to prove on this first run since.

16/1

Form: 715331 CD

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 0lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 61

Form & Verdict
Tough mare who handles most ground; stays further than 1m but she's won her last two starts at the trip, most recently over C&D last week; effectively 8lb higher today but she can be in the thick of it.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

(6)

2nd Sep 2026

Soft

1m 0f 68y

Class 6

19:20 Hamilton

Penelopes Sister

9st 10lb

J: Shay Farmer

T: Jim Goldie

Course winner (1m3f) whose latest success was over 1m of soft ground off 9lb higher at Ayr last September; hasn't run as well since; not out of it.

6/1

5th

6

(3)

10th Aug 2026

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

16:15 Ayr

Penelopes Sister

9st 10lb

J: Shay Farmer

T: Jim Goldie

Won three times over 1m here last season; yet to hit top gear this year but was placed over C&D (good to firm) a fortnight ago and remains well handicapped; dangerous to ignore.

7/2

3rd

2

(3)

27th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

17:20 Ayr

Penelopes Sister

9st 9lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

Triple course winner who made all over 1m at this track last September; has generally struggled since but she showed signs of a revival here (fourth of 12) three weeks ago and is now 6lb lower than for her last success; could be dangerous back up in trip and she's versatile ground-wise.

9/1

Form: 9-2425 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 8st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Has been running well all year and he put on a late spurt into a close fifth of 12 over C&D (good to soft) a fortnight ago, after suffering some interference; weighted to go well again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

9

(10)

24th Jan 2026

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 6

16:05 Newcastle (AW)

Harswell Duke

9st 2lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Liam Bailey

Third over C&D in November and that was off a 4lb higher mark; two lesser efforts have followed and his long losing run looks set to continue.

12/1

5th

9

(1)

23rd Oct 2025

Soft

1m 0f 75y

Class 6

15:30 Nottingham

Harswell Duke

9st 6lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Liam Bailey

Runner-up at Carlisle (1m1f, soft) in June and now 4lb lower; however, his subsequent form has been patchy and his long losing run continues; the first-time visor needs to spark something.

16/1

Form: 9258-9

Last run: 14 days

W: 8st 11lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
Had a close call at Ffos Las (extended 7f, good to soft) in June 2024 but much less to show for subsequent handicap runs, most recently here this month when back from an absence; one to watch for now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

(5)

9th Aug 2025

Good

0m 7f 50y

Class 5

20:12 Ayr

Yellow Pages

9st 4lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: R Mike Smith

Wheels have come off since last summer's Ffos Las near-miss (7f, good to soft), including on all four starts for current handler; drop to another career-low mark isn't sufficiently enticing.

66/1

2

(3)

28th Jul 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

15:30 Ayr

Yellow Pages

10st 0lb

J: Shay Farmer

T: R Mike Smith

Ex-Archie Watson; 11-race maiden and hasn't run well enough this season to suggest he can take this.

33/1

12

(11)

21st Jul 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:05 Ayr

Yellow Pages

8st 11lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: R Mike Smith

Had a close call at Ffos Las (extended 7f, good to soft) in June 2024 but much less to show for subsequent handicap runs, most recently here this month when back from an absence; one to watch for now.

50/1

Non-runners

Bowood, Shaladar

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £29.40
Straight Forecast £25.13
Tricast £119.25
Trifecta £170.90

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Forest Caper

Telegraph:

Penelope's Sister

TOPSPEED:

Quiet Resolve

Daily Mail:

Bowood

RP RATINGS:

Harswell Duke

POSTDATA:

Quiet Resolve

The Times:

Forest Caper

Daily Mirror:

Forest Caper

The Sun:

Forest Caper

The Star:

Forest Caper

The Guardian:

Penelope's Sister

D Express:

Penelope's Sister

Daily Record:

Penelope's Sister