Horse Racing: Newbury & Ayr Preview - Saturday

It’s a big day north of the border with the Ayr Gold Cup being the highlight of this Saturday’s racing fixtures.

Meanwhile, down at Newbury, we have 3 group races including the Mill Reef Stakes at 3.25.

So here’s our top tipster with his pick of the televised action.

NEWBURY

13:40
5f World Trophy Stakes (Group 3)

Likely favourite Equilateral is the pick on ratings but he has been a bit below par recently and has failed to fire here at Newbury in the past finishing unplaced on all 3 occasions including in this event.

Tis Marvellous was found a nice opportunity to win a conditions event last time out but has struggled in this grade in the past so this looks a good opportunity for the Godolphin runner Lazuli.

A Listed winner over this trip at Sandown earlier in this season he has since ran respectably in France on his latest start over 6f. The drop back in trip looks the right move and this lightly raced 3-year-old should still have more to offer.

Selection: Lazuli

14:15
1m 2f Handicap (Class 2)

This looks a strong handicap for the grade with a handful of improving 3-year olds mixing it with solid performers for the level.

Maydanny had a valid excuse last time at York with the ground going against him and he still has the potential to go close of this kind of mark based on his Glorious Goodwood victory.

Starcat ran well enough at Doncaster just 10 days ago but does need to step up a little now based on that effort. Ilaraab should have more to give still based on his victory at Beverley on his handicap debut recently.

The William Haggas trained runner looks set to go close once more but is up 6lbs and faces much stronger opponents on this occasion. The John Gosden trained Tenbury Wells has progressed well this season winning 2 of his starts before putting in another good run when finishing 2^nd at Sandown on his latest start.

That was just his 5^th career start so more improvement can be expected still and should be bang there once more today under suitable conditions.

Selection: Tenbury Wells (Next Best)

14:50
1m 3f Legacy Cup Stakes (Group 3)

Just the 4 runners for this Group 3 event but all look to have claims of some sort. With the small field race tactics could be crucial so with that in mind a chance is taken on Elarqam being able to return to somewhere near his best.

He has disappointed in a couple of Group 2s recently but he should be able to dictate matters from the front under Jim Crowley here and if getting a easy time of things should be tough to past based.

Extra Elusive has won his last 2 starts at this level and looks set to put in another bold bid to make it a hattrick under Hollie Doyle.

Selection: Elarqam

15:25
6f Mill Reef Stakes (Group 2)

Rhythm Master looks the one to side with here based on his third-place finish in a Group 1 last time.

He still looked in need of the experience that day so more improvement can be expected if handling the quicker underfoot conditions. Line Of Departure won a valuable sales race recently beating a useful type and could outrun his odds.

The unbeaten Bahrain Pride and Devilwala who ran well in a Group 2 on his recent start are others to consider.

Selection: Rhythm Master

AYR

13:55
1m 2f Doonside Cup Stakes (Listed)

Addeybb has to shoulder a group 1 penalty but is going to find this much easier than some of the races he has been competitive in recently.

He put in another solid performance when 2^nd to Lord North in the Group 1 Prince Of Wales and it`s tough to opposed the William Haggas trained runner based on that effort.

CD winner Euchen Glen showed himself in good heart when winning last time out at Haydock, but will find things tougher at this level. There is little on rating between Fox Chairman and Lord Glitters and they look the main dangers to the selection receiving 7lbs.

Selection: Addeybb

14:30
6f Silver Cup Handicap (Class 2)

As usual a wide-open renewal of the Silver Cup. Rathbone has been running consistently well in handicaps and deserves to get his head in front, he looks to have a live chance from an unchanged mark based on his 2^nd place effort at Ascot.

Atlanta’s Boy was a winner at Goodwood last time but hes up 6lb for that and despite his liking to conditions looks vulnerable this time around.

The Andrew Balding-trained King’s Lynn is one of the likely market leaders and it`s easy to see why this lightly raced 3-year-old will be popular on handicap debut, he has experience in a large field from winning a valuable sales race at 2 and a mark of 93 could underestimate his ability.

Aberama Gold looks to be returning to his best based on a couple of respectable runs in handicaps recently. This is a stronger handicap but he`s a previous CD winner, will handle conditions and could be well suited by how the race plays out, he looks worth taking a chance on at fair odds.

Selection: Aberama Gold (Each Way)

15:05
6f Fillies Stakes (Group 3)

Umm Kulthum will be tough to beat based on her third-place finish in the Lowther Stakes at York on just her second start and looks the one to be with from those towards the head of the market with the likes of Illykato, Scarlet Bear and She’s So Nice all having had more race experience but not hitting the same form has the favourite.

At bigger odds though a chance is taken on Red Fascinator, the Karl Burke runner need to improve once more from her latest start when 2^nd at Ripon but looks adaptable under conditions and should be able to get a nice run of things from the front despite the large field.

Selection: Red Fascinator

15:40
6f Ayr Gold Cup Handicap (Class 2)

The Ayr Gold Cup has been a tough race to win from a low draw in recent years so we will remove those drawn low from our equations along with some last time out winners who are likely to be towards the head of the market and will generally find things tougher off higher marks than last time.

Nahaarr has been in good form this season running well at Royal Ascot before being an impressive winner at Newbury 2 starts back.

He wasn’t beaten that far at Goodwood despite probably not being ideally suited to the course and having been freshened up since that effort looks to hold serious claims back on this more conventional course.

Wise Counsel is a previous course winner and could be more favourable suited to a fast ran 6f than the 7f he ran over last time. The cheekpieces go on for the first time and he looks one to keep on your side.

Selection: Nahaarr (NAP)