Richard Fahey turns up heat in Gold Cup

The racing is devilishly difficult this Saturday. Big handicaps are on show at the Curragh and Newbury, however it is the feature handicap, the Ayr Gold Cup that we take aim at today.

Richard Fahey won this race with the 3yo Don’t Touch back in 2015. He can repeat that win with Ramazan who has improved throughout the summer as he matures. He won over 7f on fast ground at Haydock. Ascot doesn’t seem to suit and he finds the stiff finish too much of a stamina test from 7f to a mile.

I liked the way he bounced back with an easier win than the official distance over 7f at Chepstow in the racing league. Oisin got there plenty early and didn’t have to be overly hard on Ramazan to win. The handicapper has raised him 3lbs to 101 which if fine and he has a good draw in stall 12.

Probe has the ability to win an Ayr Gold Cup if behaving himself at the start. His early season form at Newmarket has worked out very well. Probe finished a length second to Orazio (12lbs higher here) and then came clear of the field to beat Chairmanoftheboard over six furlongs on good to soft ground.

A couple of runs on fast ground didn’t work out and then he blew the start in the Bunbury Cup over 7f at the July Festival. A stiff six furlongs with some cut in the ground looks his ideal conditions. Top 3lb claimer Frederick Larson rides leaving Probe carrying only 9 stone. Trainer Jennie Candish has freshened him up since his Bunbury Cup run and I can see him run a big race.

Orazio looks a danger if overcoming his flop on heavy ground in the Stewards Cup at Goodwood in August. Northern Express will be staying on strongly when others have cried enough dropping down from a mile to six furlongs.

Ayr 3:35

0.5 point each way Ramazan 14/1 generally, 6 places.

0.5 point each way Probe 18/1 generally, 6 places.