Jordan Electrics will bid to cap off an incredible season when facing a maximum 24 rivals in the prestigious Ayr Gold Cup this weekend.
The eight-year-old gelding has racked up seven victories to rise by 30lbs in the handicap over the course of 2024, although there will be a new jockey in the saddle for Saturday’s 15:35 as Daniel Tudhope takes over from regular partner Paul Mulrennan.
Mulrennan is instead booked to ride another leading fancy, American Affair, who has also enjoyed a fruitful year and carries a penalty for last weekend’s success in the Portland at the St Leger Festival.
The runner-up of last season’s renewal, Ramazan, races off a 5lbs higher mark compared to 12 months ago despite failing to get on the scoreboard this term.
Commanche Falls is the only runner to carry more weight and the seven-year-old will be looking to make amends for a near miss in the 2022 edition.
The latest Ayr Gold Cup odds are on the Paddy Power website and Paddy Power app, otherwise Timeform’s guide to the runners as well as betting tips from the racing boffins can be found below.
Ayr Gold Cup verdict
Timeform: This is wide open as usual but AMERICAN AFFAIR did remarkably well to land the Portland at Doncaster last week having suffered a poor run and can make light of a 5 lb penalty.
The handily-weighted Rohaan hinted at a revival when an eye-catching Ascot third last time and could emerge as the main danger to Jim Goldie’s much-improved sprinter.
Last year’s runner-up Ramazan can also have a say along with Northern Express, Jordan Electrics and Room Service in an ultra-competitive Ayr Gold Cup.
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
Ayr Gold Cup 2024 runners and riders
The following horses have been declared for the Ayr Gold Cup 2024.
Commanche Falls
Trainer: Michael Dods Jockey: Connor Beasley Age: 7 Weight: 9st 12lbs Draw: 12
Has yet to score in 2024 but comes here in decent nick, a never-nearer fourth of 7 to Democracy Dilemma in listed race at Beverley (5f, good to firm) 21 days ago. This C&D winner needs considering back up in trip.
***
Northern Express
Trainer: Michael Dods Jockey: David Egan Age: 6 Weight: 9st 11lbs Draw: 23
A real credit to connections who resumed winning ways in first-time cheekieces in 18-runner Ascot handicap (7f) in July. This course winner should be thereabouts after a break with headgear again sported.
****
Ramazan
Trainer: Richard Fahey Jockey: Oisin McSweeney Age: 4 Weight: 9st 11lbs Draw: 14
Runner-up in this 12 months ago and he comes here on the back of a very good second of 17 to Dare To Hope in Great St Wilfrid at Ripon 35 days ago, first home in his group. A player once more.
****
Korker
Trainer: K. R. Burke Jockey: Jason Hart Age: 5 Weight: 9st 9lbs Draw: 24
Dual winner last autumn but his issues at the stalls have stopped him fulfilling his full potential, doing well to finish third in 6f York listed event 13 days ago having typically missed the break. No forlorn hope.
***
Orazio
Trainer: Charles Hills Jockey: Billy Loughnane Age: 5 Weight: 9st 8lbs Draw: 3
Good third in Wokingham at Royal Ascot, but weakened quickly in final 1f when last of 18 in International Stakes back there 50 days ago. Only 11th when favourite for this 12 months ago, but he’s capable of getting involved back down in trip after a break.
***
Room Service
Trainer: Kevin Ryan Jockey: Tom Eaves Age: 3 Weight: 9st 8lbs Draw: 22
Low-mileage sort who resumed progress on just his second handicap start at Pontefract (6f) in July. Since undergone breathing surgery and he’s an interesting contender for a yard with an excellent record in this event.
****
Lethal Levi
Trainer: K. R. Burke Jockey: Clifford Lee Age: 5 Weight: 9st 7lbs Draw: 20
Revived by blinkers this summer, making all for a second time over 6f at Newbury last month. In the frame in the Wokingham at Royal Ascot (6f) and Bunbury Cup at Newmarket (7f) in between so he ought to be thereabouts.
***
Jordan Electrics
Trainer: Jim Goldie Jockey: Daniel Tudhope Age: 8 Weight: 9st 6lbs Draw: 17
Is enjoying a phenomenal summer, especially at Hamilton, making it 5 wins in a row at the track last month. Very good second of 22 in handicap at York (5.4f, good to firm) last time so must enter calculations again.
****
Mostabshir
Trainer: John & Thady Gosden Jockey: Jim Crowley Age: 4 Weight: 9st 5lbs Draw: 15
Smart handicapper who performed with credit dropped to a sprint trip for the first time when fourth of 25 in Stewards’ Cup at Goodwood last month. Not taken lightly eased 1 lb.
***
Silky Wilkie
Trainer: K. R. Burke Jockey: Sam Feilden Age: 5 Weight: 9st 4lbs Draw: 19
It’s now 20 starts since his last win in 2023 but he arrives in good nick, not best drawn when eighth of 22 in Portland at Doncaster 7 days ago. Shortlisted with visor added.
***
Fivethousandtoone
Trainer: Andrew Balding Jockey: P. J. McDonald Age: 6 Weight: 9st 4lbs Draw: 10
Improved for the application of a visor when landing back-to-back AW handicaps earlier in the year. However, highly tried since and has often struggled. Needs to take a step forward.
***
Coachello
Trainer: Mark Loughnane Jockey: Callum Rodriguez Age: 6 Weight: 9st 4lbs Draw: 16
Smart ex-Irish 6f/7f scorer who has shown some promise for his new yard, a lot to do when 12th in 6f York handicap last time. Possibilities off a reduced mark.
***
Pilgrim
Trainer: David & Nicola Barron Jockey: Joe Fanning Age: 3 Weight: 9st 3lbs Draw: 25
Much improved this summer and he impressively landed Palace of Holyrood House Handicap at Royal Ascot in June. Poorly drawn when 15th at York (5.4f, good to firm) since so remains one to consider.
***
Glenfinnan
Trainer: Michael Dods Jockey: David Nolan Age: 4 Weight: 9st 3lbs Draw: 11
Is enjoying a very good season for his new yard and he bagged a second success at Sandown (7f) three weeks ago. Not discounted under a 5 lb penalty.
***
Aleezdancer
Trainer: Kevin Ryan Jockey: Sean Levey Age: 5 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 7
Capitalised on a falling mark to notch a sixth success at York (6f) in May but he beat only one in 6f Epsom handicap on Derby Day. Needs to bounce back and suspect he needs rain to come.
***
American Affair
Trainer: Jim Goldie Jockey: Paul Mulrennan Age: 4 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 4
The most progressive sprinter who garnered his third victory of 2024 in Portland at Doncaster a week ago, doing extremely well to get up on line having been badly hampered 2f out. Big shout under a 5 lb penalty.
*****
Rohaan
Trainer: David Evans Jockey: Tom Queally Age: 6 Weight: 9st 1lbs Draw: 8
Smart sprinter who scored at Ascot last autumn. Hasn’t hit the same heights this season but he caught the eye when third of 7 there two weeks ago, caught further back than ideal. Merits serious consideration off a potentially very handy mark.
****
Billyjoh
Trainer: Michael Appleby Jockey: Alistair Rawlinson Age: 4 Weight: 9st 1lbs Draw: 18
Back-to-back winner on AW in February and has remained in excellent order since until coming in only 16th at York last time. The sort to bounce back though.
***
Aramis Grey
Trainer: Rae Guest Jockey: Callum Shepherd Age: 7 Weight: 9st 0lbs Draw: 13
Her losing run is mounting up but she arrives in good form, third of 16 in handicap at Windsor (6f) 40 days ago. Likely to give another good account.
***
Dare To Hope
Trainer: Richard Fahey Jockey: Connor Murtagh Age: 4 Weight: 8st 13lbs Draw: 21
Built on an earlier promise to land Great St Wilfrid at Ripon in August but ridden more forcefully when a below-par seventh of 19 in handicap at York (6f) since. No surprise to see him bounce back here.
***
Jehangeer
Trainer: Kevin Ryan Jockey: Shane Gray Age: 3 Weight: 8st 13lbs Draw: 2
Resumed winning ways at Thirsk in July but below that level since, ninth of 19 in handicap at York (6f, good to firm) 28 days ago. This C&D scorer needs to take a step forward.
***
King’s Lynn
Trainer: Andrew Balding Jockey: William Carver Age: 7 Weight: 8st 13lbs Draw: 1
It’s now 21 starts since his last win in 2022 but he is knocking on the door, second of 9 in handicap at Doncaster (6.5f) 6 days ago. Possibilities.
***
Sergeant Wilko
Trainer: Kevin Ryan Jockey: Kevin Stott Age: 3 Weight: 8st 13lbs Draw: 9
Improving sprinter who completed his hat-trick in a 7-runner handicap at Goodwood (6f, good to soft) 27 days ago. Carries a 5 lb penalty but this game front-runner demands plenty of respect once again.
***
Strike Red
Trainer: Richard Fahey Jockey: Billy Garritty Age: 6 Weight: 8st 12lbs Draw: 6
Yet to strike this season but he comes here in good order, not ideally drawn when ninth of 25 in handicap at the Curragh (6f) 6 days ago. One to consider.
***
Tinto
Trainer: Michael Dods Jockey: Rhys Elliott Age: 8 Weight: 8st 12lbs Draw: 5
Improved on recent efforts under more patient tactics to win a 9-runner handicap at Thirsk (6f) 22 days ago. Carries 5 lb penalty but still needs considering.
***
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