TV TIPS (SATURDAY)

With nine live races on aITV this Saturday we’ve got an action packed TV Tips which includes the prestigious Ayr Gold Cup, all previewed right here.

13:15 AYR

Kicking off proceedings at the Scottish track and the ever consistent Barley could produce another solid performance.  However with just the one victory since April 2023 it’s likely he’ll find one or two too good but could make the frame.

The lightly raced Khafiz disappointed in a Group 3 last time out but now makes their handicap debut and looks the biggest threat to the selection.

Apiarist gets the vote based on their form on soft going having never finished outside of the top four whenever the ground has been soft or heavy. The downside is he’s only won the once on turf but hopefully he can change that here.

APIARIST (E/W)

13:30 NEWBURY

Rumstar looks to have the best recent form in the book and seems likely to go off as the race favourite but if the rain continues to fall he won’t have his preferred ground and that could be his potential undoing.

One horse who won’t be perturbed by soft conditions is Kevin Ryan’s Grand Grey who, despite not having a stellar season, could produce a better performance.

At similarly large odds the unexposed Queen All Star could prove better than expected if she continues on her upward trajectory but might come unstuck against some of her more experienced rivals.

GRAND GREY (E/W)

13:50 AYR

It might be the obvious choice but with good reason. Almeric has done very little wrong in their short career to date and after winning on softer ground last time out should have conditions to suit.

Liberty Lane and Cerain Lad look best of the feast and the most likely to follow the selection home.

ALMERIC (WIN)

14:05 NEWBURY

A competitive handicap over an extended 1m 5f and it’s hard to split stablemates Castle Cove and Dramatic Star. The William Haggas trained pair have had lighter campaigns than the majority of their opposition and could have a fitness edge over the rest. Based on jockey bookings you’re likely to have the impression that Dramatic Star is the favoured of the two but I think it’s closer than you might be lead to believe. Although the likes of Lieber Power and Majestic Warrior certainly demand consideration the Haggas two look clear of the rest and without being able to split them, both look worthy of punting.

CASTLE COVE (E/W)

DRAMATIC STAR (E/W)

14:25 AYR

As one of just a few course and distance winners Candy looks to have a great chance of repeating that feet after a promising fourth at Ascot lately. Will relish the soft ground and looks to be on an attractive mark.

Silky Wilkie is another for any punters shortlist after previously filling the runners-up spot in last years Ayr Gold Cup. Now off a 14lbs lower mark than he carried last year, and in a lesser race he’s got plenty in his favour.

At a huge price Coachello might outrun their odds. All four of his turf wins have come with soft in the going description and at the time of writing he looks drastically overpriced.

Sergeant Wilko, Dark Thirty and Irish raider Bodhi Bear are also capable of producing a solid performance and cannot be discounted.

Market principles Nariko and Binhareer demand the upmost respect and it’d be somewhat of a shock if neither made the frame but from a punting perspective their current odds just aren’t attractive enough in a race with so many runners.

CANDY (E/W)

SILKY WILKIE (E/W)

COACHELLO (E/W)

14:40 NEWBURY

Defiance has looked a different animal this season with clear improvement made over the winter. Although he’s not come out on top in all three of his starts in 2025 it’s easy to argue that he deserves a victory to his name and connections may have found the perfect opportunity.

Bottom-weight Night Step hasn’t finished outside of the top two in their last four starts and looks a clear threat to the selection.

For punters hunting value then former course and distance winner Due To Henry might fair better than he’s shown of late.

DEFIANCE (WIN)

15:00 AYR

Trainer Roger Varian has his yard going well and he could add to his recent tally with last time out winner Coming Attraction whose win on slow at Chelmsford indicated she could handle todays conditions. The likely favourite but with good reason after back-to-back convincing wins and can make it three on the spin.

The unbeaten India Love deserves a mention having never tasted defeat but this looks a much tougher test.

Catching The Moon went one better than when filling second spot on debut to win last time out, one to be mindful of but might find a few too good.

At much larger odds Come On Eibhlin failed to deliver in a group race last time but in her sole victory hinted that she’d appreciate a step up in trip from six furlongs and although she remains at that trip will get the extended test thanks to the ground.

COMING ATTRACTION (WIN)

COME IN EIBHLIN (E/W)

15:15 NEWBURY

Although, at the time of writing, the unbeaten Into The Sky is the current race favourite I’m not as convinced as the market is that the previous course winner deserves that slot as the betting principle.

Rock On Thunder has far better form in the book and the Godolphin owned runner Words Of Truth proved their win was no fluke when claiming back to back successes. The aforementioned two look clear of Into The Sky and as such are taken to fill the first two spots.

Watcha Snoop looks the most likely of the rest of the field to upset the apple cart and could grab a place.

ROCK ON THUNDER / WORDS OF TRUTH (REV FCAST)

15:35 AYR

It’s the big one, the prestigious ‘cavalry charge’ known as the Ayr Gold Cup and Kevin Ryan looks to have laid out Ain’t Nobody for this race all along. Second in a Group 1 two starts back was a mighty performance however connections are probably somewhat cursing that effort as it’s seen his mark take a drastic rise. If he can overcome his weight he’s got plenty to suggest a big run is on the cards.

Trainer Richard Spencer has had great success in sprint heritage handicaps all season and he could claim another big sprint once again. He has trio of entries and of his three Run Boy Run makes most appeal. He’s been knocking on the door of late and with a previous win on soft ground he’s got conditions to suit.

Former course and distance winner Jordan Electrics always runs well at this meeting and improving three-year-old Northern Ticker cannot be ignored.

AIN’T NOBODY (E/W)

RUN BOY RUN (E/W)

written by Rory Paddock