Steve Ryder previews the Ayr Gold Cup, providing a runners guide and early pick.
Ayr Gold Cup
The Ayr Gold Cup was first run in 1804 and became a handicap in 1855. It was relocated and reduced to this 6 furlong trip in 1908 and is one of the most hotly contested sprint handicaps of the season.
There is a maximum field of 35 with both the Silver Cup and Bronze Cup ran as consolation races at the meeting.
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Ayr Gold Cup Winners, Trends & Stats
According to the records, Dazzle won this race three years in a row between 1889 and 1891 but more recently Funfair Wane became a multiple winner in 2002 and 2004.
- 19 of the previous 24 winners had won three or more times
- 18 of the previous 24 winners had failed to win their last race
- 17 of the previous 24 winners had carried 9-1 or more
- 17 of the previous 24 winners came from Stall 10 or higher
- 15 of the previous 24 winners were rated between 90 and 101
- 15 of the previous 24 winners were aged 4 or 5
- 15 of the previous 24 winners had finished in top four last time out
Ayr Gold Cup Runners Guide
Ain’t Nobody
Kevin Ryan trained runner who put in a huge career best in first time cheekpieces when 2nd in the Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes at York a month ago. Could only finish 13th beaten 8 ¾ lengths in the Sprint Cup last time back over 6f but he runs from 13lbs “well in” at the weights dropped into a handicap for the first time. Has to overcome Stall 1 though.
Northern Ticker
Lightly raced three-year-old who won a competitive 6f handicap at York off a mark of 99 last time by a head. The handicapper has only raised him 3lbs for that success but he runs here under a 5lb penalty meaning he is 2lbs “wrong” at the weights. He is clearly progressive though and could prove ahead of his revised mark.
Two Tribes
Won two valuable handicaps already this season at Ascot and Goodwood and was only beaten ¾ length at York when fourth behind the re-opposing Northern Ticker. He gets to run here off the same mark so he gets a 5lb swing in the weights with that rival.
Flash Harry
Progressive three-year-old who is yet to finish out of the top three in his career. Won a 6f handicap at Goodwood last time by 1 ½ lengths off a mark of 95 and is 2lbs “well in” at the weights under a 5lb penalty rather than his revised rating of 102.
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Hammer The Hammer
Had won three races in a row this season until finishing 2nd at Royal Ascot in the Palace Of Holyroodhouse off a mark of 100. He finished a well beaten 15th when sent off favourite at Goodwood in the Stewards’ Cup behind Two Tribes and is off the same mark in this race.
Alfa Kellenic
Completed a six-timer last season when justifying favouritism in the Silver Cup at this meeting last season. She then finished 5th in a listed race at Newmarket but hasn’t been seen since and has moved from Craig Lidster to Ivan Furtado.
Purosangue
It is surprise that he hasn’t won since his final start as a juvenile because he has shown more ability than a record of 2-19 suggests. The Andrew Balding trained four-year-old ran well to finish 6th beaten only 1 ¼ lengths at Doncaster last time off this mark of 96 and connections now reach for first-time cheekpieces.
Strike Red
Finished 7th in the 2021 Silver Cup, 18th in the 2022 Silver Cup and 10th in this race last season but he ran well at Goodwood on his penultimate start when only beaten 2 ¼ lengths by Two Tribes. Only 9th behind Northern Ticker at York last time, he needs to step forward to reverse those two pieces of form.
Twilight Calls
Finished 2nd in both the Group 2 Temple Stakes and Group 1 King’s Stand Stakes in 2022 and has gradually dropped down the ratings since joining Richard Spencer from Henry Candy. Finished 5th behind Two Tribes at Goodwood before finishing 10th behind Northern Ticker at York.
Aramram
Last year’s Silver Cup runner-up behind Alfa Kellenic when only beaten 1 ¾ lengths. He has been running consistently well this season improving from a rating of 89 up to 98 including five placed efforts and a victory at Newbury. He was 3rd beaten only a length at Kempton last time off this mark and is well drawn in Stall 13.
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Ayr Gold Cup Trainers & Jockeys To Watch
Kevin Ryan is the most successful trainer in this race in recent years with five victories. Advancing (2007), Our Jonathan (2011), Captain Ramius (2012), Brando (2016) and Bielsa (2021) all won.
Richard Fahey (Fonthill Road in 2006 and Don’t Touch in 2015), David O’Meara (Louis The Pious in 2014 and Summerghand in 2022) and Andrew Balding (Highland Colori in 2013 and Donjuan Triumphant in 2017) have all won the race twice.
There hasn’t been a jockey who has won the race multiple times since Frankie Dettori in 2009 and 2010 but both Paul Mulrennan (13 rides without a winner) and David Allen (12 rides without a winner) will be hoping for a change in fortune.
Ayr Gold Cup 2025 Tips
The Richard Hannon trained ARAMRAM (best priced at 20/1) finished runner-up in the Silver Cup last season and should hold strong claims of going one better in the main event this year. The progressive four-year-old has been running consistently well all season with one win and five placed efforts from nine runs.
Aramram was beaten less than a length on his previous two starts over this 6f trip off this mark of 98 and he hits the six main trends highlighted in the article above. Four places antepost is acceptable and I expect him to shorten for the race throughout the week.
