ITV Racing Tips: Saturday Each-Way Double from Ayr

In the ITV opener, the Virgin Bet Daily Price Boosts Handicap, I like claims of top-weight KOY KOY (best price 13/2) who has displayed a resurgence in form of late and must have every chance of building on last year’s down-the-field effort on the back of what was a dominant victory at Wolverhampton just over a fortnight ago. 

Trainer George Boughey has been relentless in recent weeks with the continuation of winners and this four-year-old is his only runner on the card. He can be excused for his seventh in this 12 months ago, where he blew the start but finished his race with a flourish, clocking quicker late-sectionals than most of those who finished in front of him. 

He is worse off at the weights with Revich and Redarna who were in front of him last year but he has improved a lot since and some rain will not do him any harm either, as he was a very good second to Safe Voyage at Chester two starts ago. Danny Tudhope is a positive booking, so despite his big weight, he appeals. 

The Group 3 Virgin Bet Best Odds Daily Firth Of Clyde could present the Karl Burke-trained DOROTHY LAWRENCE (best price 5/1) with a great opportunity to gain compensation for her marginal defeat at Salisbury in a Group 3 last time when an unlucky short-head second and reacquaint herself as the one to beat. 

This filly has loads of natural speed and although she only scrambled home in her sole previous start at this course, she has improved since by running well in Group 3 and Group 2 races since, including last-time-out at Salisbury, where she looked for all the world like she was going to turn the race into a procession. 

She skipped a couple of lengths clear with a furlong to go but was unfortunately caught in the final stride by a decent horse in Juniper Berries. Even though she was beaten, that form is worthy of attention, as the useful Soprano was well-held in third, who had previously made the frame in Listed/Group 3 events. 

On a strict reading of that piece of form, she should have the measure of Pretty Crystal, while the likes of Raqiya and Great Generation are upped in grade. Being the only course winner in the field, as well as already establishing herself at this level, coupled with some of the best form in the contest, she’s strongly considered. 

Extra ITV Tips 

Pride Of America and Royal Rhyme arrive into this race in good form but the fact that HELVIC DREAM (best price 11/2) is already a proven Group 1 winner makes him of serious interest in this race despite not matching that career highlight since. 

Noel Meade doesn’t send many across the pond, especially on the Flat, and this six-year-old has primarily been targeted at this race. He wasn’t beaten far in a Group 3 last time when third and is eased in grade, so his sure to find this a lot easier. 

He is down in class whilst the top two in the begging conversely go up in class. His Group 1 win also came over this distance, which is his optimism, and I strongly believe the ratings are misleading in all fairness. He can gain an overdue success. 

Some familiar faces in the Silver Cup and I like two runners against the field. The first one is the very capable APLOMB (best price 12/1) who is eight pounds lower than when sixth in this race last year under a big weight and he can instinctively carry much less weight this time around.

He has often threatened to land a valuable pot throughout his career and his last couple of outings have been very encouraging to say the least. There’s no doubt he would have won both those starts with a clear run and has fundamentally been left on an unchanged mark for this contest.

His last win came off a seven pounds higher mark and mathematically one of the best “well-handicapped horses” in the race. Furthermore, he is Jane Chapple-Hyam’s only runner on the card and should he enjoy a trouble-free passage, this could be the big day he’s been waiting for.

GULLIVER (best price 7/1) looked as good as ever when absolutely destroying his rivals at Southwell last-time-out and given he has contested the last four runnings of the Gold Cup at this meeting, this must be fifth time lucky for him from his reduced mark. 

Even though he is carrying a penalty for that latest success, he remains well-handicapped on the pick of his form. His connections have retained Ben Curtis plus his last four efforts at this meeting in the main event have come off marks of 98, 105, 103 and 98. 

A couple of pounds rise for that latest success is still lenient given he was third in this four years ago and his handler enjoyed a 1-2 in the Bronze Cup earlier. Despite his prohibitive odds, he has plenty in his favour and is the standout each-way bet. 

Last but certainly not least, the Ayr Gold Cup, the big race on the card and I am interested in the credentials of FAST RESPONSE (best price 16/1) who has finished second on three separate occasions this year in Listed events and must hold compelling claims back in a handicap. 

Karl Burke’s filly has so much quality form to her name and split two very good sprinters rated 106 and 105 most recently when an excellent second at Chester. She’s remarkably consistent and in spite of softer conditions seeing her to best effect, she goes well on good to soft. 

Brandon Wilkie can claim a valuable seven pounds, which technically leaves this filly on a very good weight whilst being one of the highest rated in the field with some of the best recent form on offer. She has the class in abundance to be right in the firing line.