The William Hill Ayr Gold Cup (3.45) on Saturday is as competitive as ever, but it’s hard ante post favourite Growl (6/1), who was denied a clear run at a crucial stage in the Stewards’ Cup at Goodwood seven weeks ago. Richard Fahey’s 4-year-old eventually snatched fourth, 1½ lengths behind the winner, Dancing Star, but the way he quickened in the last half a furlong suggested that he would have gone very close to winning granted an uninterrupted passage.
Even if taken at face value, the form is smart and, off a 2lb higher mark, Growl makes no little appeal, especially as he has winning form on soft going. The Oasis Dream gelding wasn’t ideally drawn, in stall 26, at Goodwood but, provided he fares better in that respect this time, he must have every chance of winning a third Ayr Gold Cup for the Musley Bank trainer, after Fonthill Road in 2006 and Don’t Touch last year.
Selection: Ayr 3.45 Growl (6/1 generally available) to win