August 09 / 20.12 Ayr

20.12

Good

Book The Ladbrokes Ayr Gold Cup Handicap

  • Prize money: £4187.2
  • 0m 7f 50y
  • Class 5
  • 8 runners
RTV
View Course
Book The Ladbrokes Ayr Gold Cup Handicap

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Rain

Form: -70098 CD

Last run: 18 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
First of four career wins to date came in this race in 2022 (good), and he was deprived of further success close home no fewer than five times last year; can't approach confidently right now for all that, however, having beaten only one home across his four latest starts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

10

(1)

12th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

19:15 Newcastle (AW)

Judgment Call

9st 3lb

J: David Allan

T: Linda Perratt

Has been kept busy since winning over C&D off a 2lb lower mark in December; went in again at Southwell on Tuesday evening and needs respect.

8/1

1st

4

(2)

10th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 5

20:15 Southwell (AW)

Judgment Call

9st 9lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Linda Perratt

Not the most consistent but still capable on his day, as when winning a 6f handicap at Newcastle in December (2lb higher today); handy draw and no surprise to see him show up well.

14/1

7th

6

(2)

20th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

16:26 Southwell (AW)

Judgment Call

9st 6lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Linda Perratt

Sole win from 18 starts on the AW came at Newcastle (6f, AW) in December and bounced back to form when runner-up there ten days ago; makes each-way appeal returned to 7f off a 2lb lower mark (4lb well in).

8/1

Form: 3-8443

Last run: 30 days

W: 10st 1lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Still above his highest winning mark despite a 15-race losing streak, once again running too well in defeat at Carlisle latest (7f) to be afforded any respite; solid place option, and won't mind any rain.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

8

(1)

28th Oct 2025

Soft

0m 5f 212y

Class 4

15:40 Catterick

Keep Warm

9st 3lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Michael & David Easterby

Awarded the Pontefract handicap last month in which Valentine Catcher passed the post first; not so good in either run since, the latest at Doncaster on Saturday, and others appeal more.

12/1

8

(1)

28th Oct 2025

Soft

0m 5f 212y

Class 4

15:40 Catterick

Keep Warm

9st 3lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Michael & David Easterby

Awarded the Pontefract handicap last month in which Valentine Catcher passed the post first; not so good in either run since, the latest at Doncaster on Saturday, and others appeal more.

12/1

7th

13

(9)

25th Oct 2025

Heavy

0m 7f 6y

Class 4

17:00 Doncaster

Keep Warm

9st 5lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Michael & David Easterby

All three wins over 6f at Pontefract on good and good to soft, most recently when awarded a race last month, but he was never involved in a higher grade there since and recent 7f attempts suggest others will have the legs of him late on.

20/1

Form: 75-083 D

Last run: 50 days

W: 9st 13lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Yet to rediscover 2024's peak form, but June's Down Royal 7f third (good) was a decent way to sign off for Kevin Thomas Coleman and he's on the same mark here; joined new connections for 17,000gns; ground slower than good would ask a new question.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

(4)

18th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 195y

Class 5

17:10 Carlisle

Black Storm

9st 4lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: Katie Scott

AW scorer in Ireland; has made the frame in four of his five starts for current yard, gelded prior to fourth at Musselburgh (7f) on reappearance latest; in the mix.

13/2

4th

6

(7)

29th Apr 2026

Good

0m 7f 15y

Class 5

15:50 Musselburgh

Black Storm

9st 4lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: Katie Scott

7f maiden win at Dundalk when trained by Kevin Coleman; placed on three of four starts for Katie Scott last August/September, including over C&D (good to soft); has had wind surgery ahead of this first start for seven months.

12/1

10th

7

(4)

28th Sep 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

14:13 Newcastle (AW)

Black Storm

9st 9lb

J: Oisin McSweeney

T: Katie Scott

7f maiden win at Dundalk when trained by Kevin Coleman; three runs for Katie Scott have yielded two seconds and a third; involved once again.

6/1

Form: 1-9753 D

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 11lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Beaten under 1l when fourth in this race off 1lb higher last year (good to soft), and gradual return to that form level this summer led to last month's third back here (1m); feels as if turn is nearing again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(7)

30th Sep 2025

Soft

0m 7f 50y

Class 6

16:00 Ayr

John L Sullivan

10st 0lb

J: Cian Horgan

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Record is 2-18; best efforts this season when third at Ayr in July/August; filled same position in this contest last year; likely player if back in similar form.

7/1

138

19th Sep 2025

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:40 Ayr

John L Sullivan

8st 3lb

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

2

(13)

18th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 50y

Class 6

16:45 Ayr

John L Sullivan

9st 12lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Unsuited by drop to 6f last time; gradually back to form otherwise this term, close third at Ayr (good) in most recent 7f attempt; possibilities off last winning mark, provided he takes to added cheekpieces.

10/1

Form: 625967

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Yet to build on May's Doncaster second (1m, good), hindered the last twice by a refusal to settle mostly absent from his earlier runs this term; assessor starting to ease off a bit, but case still not compelling.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

15

(3)

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 182y

Class 3

14:00 Carlisle

Native Honey

8st 4lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Jim Goldie

Both wins have come over 7f at Ayr, and he surged back to form when scoring there ten days ago; still lightly raced, in excellent hands, and should be at least as effective over this trip on a stiff track; a danger to all at the foot of the weights.

12/1

1st

3

(5)

20th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 50y

Class 5

16:42 Ayr

Native Honey

9st 7lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

Down the field over about 1m at Musselburgh and Hamilton on his two starts this season; however, his sole win came over this C&D last August and it's possible the return to Ayr and drop back to 7f will trigger a revival.

6/1

7th

5

(3)

3rd May 2026

Good

1m 0f 68y

Class 5

15:53 Hamilton

Native Honey

9st 5lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

Had some high points last season on which he's realistically treated but his return last week at Musselburgh was underwhelming.

10/1

Form: 5-3375

Last run: 37 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Wouldn't settle on her final start for Richard Hughes, so any benefits of the preceding wind surgery remain undetermined; sold for 14,000gns since; out of a 7.5f winner, but hasn't shaped as if in need of further than sprint trips this term.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(4)

9th Aug 2025

Good

0m 7f 50y

Class 5

20:12 Ayr

Pouting

9st 7lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Daragh Bourke

Wouldn't settle on her final start for Richard Hughes, so any benefits of the preceding wind surgery remain undetermined; sold for 14,000gns since; out of a 7.5f winner, but hasn't shaped as if in need of further than sprint trips this term.

14/1

5th

3

(5)

3rd Jul 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

19:33 Kempton (AW)

Pouting

9st 8lb

J: Finley Marsh

T: Richard Hughes

Nine-race maiden but she had been reliable prior to a lacklustre effort in a Lingfield handicap 30 days ago (6f, good); she's undergone wind surgery since so a return to form would be no surprise.

8/1

2

(4)

3rd Jun 2025

Good

0m 4f 217y

Class 5

20:15 Lingfield

Pouting

9st 8lb

J: Finley Marsh

T: Richard Hughes

Yet to win in eight starts and beaten at short odds on her last two; has shown clear winning potential though and she's one to be interested in back in handicap company.

13/2

Form: 58-907

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 58

Form & Verdict
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.
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

66/1

Form: 679070

Last run: 19 days

W: 8st 12lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 52

Form & Verdict
Faring no better than stablemate Yellow Pages latterly, the tactic of pressing the leader once again finding him out here latest (6f); beat nothing home on the last two occasions cheekpieces were deployed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

10

(8)

20th Jan 2026

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

14:13 Newcastle (AW)

Chiefman

8st 4lb

J: Amie Waugh

T: R Mike Smith

Course winner (1m2f) when trained by Archie Watson; struggled for this yard in 2025 and the addition of a tongue tie and return of cheekpieces aren't enough to tempt.

50/1

9th

6

(9)

22nd Sep 2025

Soft

1m 0f 68y

Class 6

13:48 Hamilton

Chiefman

9st 2lb

J: Andrew Breslin

T: R Mike Smith

Has dropped down the weights and his trainer is among the winners; however, he's struggled in the main this season and has been beaten 16 times since his sole win in March 2024.

16/1

9

(3)

14th Sep 2025

Good

0m 7f 15y

Class 6

17:43 Musselburgh

Chiefman

9st 0lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: R Mike Smith

Sole win came for previous trainer Archie Watson over 1m2f at Newcastle (11-8 favourite) in March 2024; 0-11 for this trainer and continues to slide in the weights; has plenty of work to do with Monhammer and Ahamoment on recent C&D evidence.

25/1

Non-runners

Al Muqdad, Beechdale

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £10.20
Straight Forecast £8.57
Tricast £18.72
Trifecta £26.50

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Al Muqdad

POSTDATA:

Keep Warm

The Times:

Native Honey

Daily Record:

Black Storm

D Express:

Native Honey

The Guardian:

Keep Warm

Daily Mirror:

Keep Warm

RP RATINGS:

Al Muqdad

Telegraph:

Al Muqdad

Daily Mail:

Al Muqdad

The Sun:

Al Muqdad

The Star:

Al Muqdad