Neil Morrice tells us his best bets and tips for Day 3 of the Ayr Gold Cup Meeting, as well as tips for Newbury and Wolverhampton on 18/09/2021.
AYR – 18/09/2021
Race 3 No7 BOARDMAN (Each Way)
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: Paul Hanagan
Easterby is a master at getting one ready for the big northern festivals and BOARDMAN can prove a case in point. The gelded son of Kingman indicated with a much improved effort to trouble the judge at Chester that he can soon relive the form that notched him a hat-trick back in the spring.
Race 5 VIRGIN BET AYR GOLD CUP HANDICAP
No2 GREAT AMBASSADOR (Each Way)
Trainer: Ed Walker – Jockey: Richard Kingscote
Scotland’s most famous Flat race can go to the bang-in-form GREAT AMBASSADOR, whose upwardly mobile progression since coming back from a mid season break has been a joy for his connections to behold. His recent triumphs at Newmarket and York have been gained with telling authority, suggesting there could still be a lot more to come from the chestnut. Stablemate Popmaster must also be given a serious chance on the back of a convincing Ascot win, and this improving grey receives a bundle of weight from the selection. Just Frank could have more to give as a handily weighted three-year-old that goes to war having trotted up at Thirsk while if there’s a joker in the pack BIELSA jumps out, as he’s probably been trained with this one race at the top of his agenda.
NEWBURY – 18/09/2021
Race 2 No10 IL BANDITO
Trainer: Charles Hills – Jockey: William Buick
IL BANDITO forms part of a Hills entry but can emerge as a stronger force than stablemate Dulas. The ultra consistent son of Acclamation has the jockey who last won on him back in the irons, which is a tip worth taking.
Race 4 Dubai Duty Free Legacy Cup (Group 3)
No2 SOLID STONE
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute – Jockey: William Buick
Al Aasy will be a hot property with professional backers but his latest defeat shows he’s vulnerable to an improver such as SOLID STONE. First time cheek pieces assisted the selection when he gamely landed the Winter Hill Stakes at Windsor, and he looked in tip top order blowing out for this in Newmarket earlier in the week.
Race 6 Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes (Group 2)
No2 FEARBY (Each Way)
Trainer: Ed Bethell – Jockey: PJ McDonald
Yorkshire raider FEARBY can take home a cheque in a race that remembers one of the greats of the post War era. The son of Havana Gold had to play second fiddle to Armor in the Molecomb at Goodwood but when stepping up to this six furlongs went down by just two and a half lengths to Lusaka in the Gimcrack at York. In a race where it’s hard to strike your pen through any of the runners, he can again be competitive.
Race 8 No6 WHITEHAVEN
Trainer: Hughie Morrison – Jockey: Ron Hornby
WHITEHAVEN comes here searching for better ground after being scratched from an engagement earlier in the week. He’s progressing with each run and is on the cusp of rediscovering the form that enabled him to complete a fine hat-trick at this time last year.
WOLVERHAMPTON – 18/09/2021
Race 1 No5 MASHAAER
Trainer: Richard Hannon – Jockey: Dane O’Neill
The Hannons do well with their juvenile runners at HQ, lending weight to the claims of MASHAAER on second career start. The son of champion sprinter Muhaarar shaped well on his Ascot introduction to chase home Bouquet, and is going to know a lot more against the penalised Mystic Wells and fellow maiden Mellow Yellow.
Race 2 No3 ANGHAAM (Nap)
Trainer: Richard Hannon – Jockey: Dane O’Neill
ANGHAAM can help towards a great start for her trainer by taking out this fillies’ handicap. The grey daughter of Frankel knows her way around Newmarket and was a game all the way scorer on the July course in June. She didn’t appear to enjoy switching to the Polytrack last time, but had scored on her previous outing at Goodwood, and can make this a third triumph from her last four starts on turf.
Race 3 No10 FANGORN (Each Way)
Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: David Egan
The giant FANGORN is still developing into his frame, but after excelling in his work earlier in the week gets the chance to show a recent flop at Newbury was all wrong. He started a heavily supported favourite for what was hopefully an off day, and can bounce back.
Race 7 No5 GEELONG (Each Way)
Trainer: Paul Cole – Jockey: Shane Kelly
Australia colt GEELONG may be good enough for a race begging to fall to one of the newcomers. He’s shown up well in his work at Whatcombe and from a good draw on the fence can reward win and place support.
Bet on horse racing at www.hollywoodbets.co.uk or www.hollywoodbets.ie
