Ayr Gold Cup Betting: Can Summerghand Defend His Ayr Crown?

Ayr racecourse stages one of its biggest race days this Saturday with the Virgin Bet-sponsored Ayr Gold Cup the feature on the 8-race card. It was also a prize the veteran sprinter Summerghand won 12 months ago and he’s back to try and defend his crown.

Summerghand Hoping To Become First Back-to-Back Ayr Gold Cup Winner Since 1931

12 months ago, the David O’Meara-trained Summerghand landed the 2022 £90k Ayr Gold Cup (watch below) as an 8 year-old, but despite being another year older returns to the Scottish venue this Saturday at 9 years-old to try and become the first back-to-back horse to win the big sprinting handicap since Heronslea in 1930 and 31.

Summerghand’s win last year was also giving trainer David O’Meara his second success in the race after taking the pot in 2014 with Louis The Pious too.

However, it’s the Kevin Ryan yard in recent years that holds the best Ayr Gold Cup record – with 5 wins since 2007.

One of those Ryan victories came just two years ago (2021) with Bielsa, who is another past winner that’s expected to run this Saturday too.

Now an 8 year-old, Bielsa will be hoping to do what Funfair Wane did and win two Ayr Gold Cups within three seasons – he landed the prize in 2004 and 2006.

Summerghand has returned this season in fine fettle too – running 11 times in 2023 – and won a decent York handicap sprint over 6f just two races ago.While his last quartet of races have seen top-four each time.

He’s also the top-rated horse in the field at 105 and is set to carry a big weight (10-1) as a result, but is still only rated 3lbs higher than his win in the race last season.

The best UK horse racing betting sites give both recent winners a leading chance too, with Summerghand @ 10/1 and Bielsa @ 14/1, just behind the current Ayr Gold Cup favourite Orazio @ 8/1, who is trained by Charles Hills.

Prices listed are offered by the Ayr Gold Cup race sponsor Virgin Bet – where you can bet £10 to get a £20 free bet (Ts&C’s apply)

WATCH: Summerghand Winning The 2022 Ayr Gold Cup

2023 Ayr Gold Cup Details

🕙Time: 3:35pm
📅Date: Saturday 23rd Sept 2023
🏇Racecourse: Ayr
💰: Winner: £92,772
📺 TV: Racing TV / ITV4
🎲 Odds: Orazio 8/1 | Significantly 10/1 | Summerghand 10/1 |

Latest Ayr Gold Cup Betting Odds

See below the latest Ayr Gold Cup betting odds from sponsors Virgin Bet

Orazio 8/1
Significantly 10/1
Summerghand 10/1
Aleezdancer 11/1
Juan Les Pins 12/1
Rohaan 12/1
Albasheer 14/1
Bielsa 14/1
16/1 Bar

Note: Odds are subject to change and others on request

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Andy Newton

Betting Expert

Sports betting journalist that enjoys using key stats and trends to hunt for winners - mainly on horse racing and football, plus highlight new betting angles for readers. Andy Newton has many top industry contacts, including with some of the leading horse racing yards in England and Scotland through his long association with FromTheStables and TrainersQuotes. Has written for GeeGeez and BetBright too, plus was the former editor of odds comparison site Easyodds. Has also featured on betting podcasts for the betting exchange MatchBook and has appeared in the Weatherbys Cheltenham Festival Guide. Andy's ghost written for former jockey Richard Dunwoody too and has had a monthly column in the Racing Ahead horse racing magazine for over 10 years. Now a regular on SportsLens, giving his views, trends and tips on horse racing (US & UK) and football (soccer), plus specializes in long form SEO sports betting content for news, tips and all things betting on any sport. If there's a trend to be explored and it's a sport, Andy will find a stats-based betting angle.

View all posts by Andy Newton

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