Last week’s Doncaster winner shooting for swift handicap double.
The atmosphere at Ayr is buzzing with excitement as the stage is set for the Ayr Gold Cup, Scotland's prestigious equivalent of the Royal Ascot Gold Cup. All eyes are on Jim Goldie, whose star sprinter is poised to potentially end Scotland’s 49-year drought in the Gold Cup. The four-year-old contender has been on a meteoric rise this season, consistently finishing in the money in all seven starts over five to five and a half furlongs. With a career-best performance just last weekend at Doncaster, hopes are high.
In a year where his handicap mark has climbed from 70 to a formidable 94, the sprinter, under the skillful guidance of Paul Mulrennan, is carrying a 5lb penalty for his last win. This brings his total weight to 9st 2lb for the 25-runner event. For Mulrennan, this could be the culmination of a long-standing dream.
"I’m really looking forward to riding him," Mulrennan said with enthusiasm. "He was brilliant in the Portland, and a change of tactics worked perfectly for him. He’s a sprinter on the upgrade, and he’s done nothing but improve all year. It’s a race I’ve always wanted to win. It’s our Royal Ascot—the Gold Cup up here. It would be great to win it."
Mulrennan’s determination is more than personal. It’s also for Jim Goldie, a trainer he has worked closely with, who will miss the event while recovering from a hip operation. "Jim’s a real character, a brilliant trainer, and we had a couple of winners on Thursday, so the horses are in form," Mulrennan added. "It would be incredible to win it for Jim. He’s recovering at home, so it would be even more special."
Drama at @DoncasterRaces!
American Affair denies Apollo One right at the last in the Portland Handicap for @PMulrennan and @JimGoldieRacing…
— Sky Sports Racing (@SkySportsRacing) September 14, 2024
If the Scottish sprinter pulls off the victory, he will become the first Scottish-trained winner since Roman Warrior took the trophy in 1975. And for Mulrennan, who has already won the Silver and Bronze Cups, this would complete the set. "I’ve won the Bronze and the Silver, so the Gold Cup is the one missing from my collection," Mulrennan smiled, hopeful for history to repeat itself in Ayr.
The Competition: Heavyweights Lining Up
The path to victory won’t be easy, with a field of elite competitors standing in the way. One of the biggest threats comes from Mick Appleby’s Billyjoh, a formidable sprinter who has been in excellent form, having finished second in the Buckingham Palace at Royal Ascot and third in the Stewards' Cup at Goodwood. Billyjoh will be ridden by Alistair Rawlinson from stall 18, in what will be his 15th start of an already busy and profitable season.
“The track and trip should suit him, and the ground will be all right for him. It’s a tough race, but he’s in good form, and hopefully, he’ll have a decent chance,” Appleby said confidently. Reflecting on Billyjoh’s past performances, Appleby noted, “When he ran in the Stewards' Cup last year, he finished fifth but actually won his race on his side. It’s frustrating when that happens, but it’s part of the game.”
Poignant Possibilities for Appleby
Appleby is no stranger to Ayr’s winner’s circle, having captured the Gold Cup in 1988 with So Careful. This year, however, there is a deeper emotional connection to the race. “It would be very poignant if Billyjoh won this time, as So Careful’s owner, Tommy Doherty, passed away last week. If Billyjoh wins, I’d like to dedicate the victory to his memory,” Appleby shared emotionally.
He added, “Billyjoh likes bigger fields, and the draw shouldn’t be a problem. He’s got some pace around him, which will suit him well.”
After my hip operation, I won't make the Ayr Gold Cup festival @ayrracecourse for the 1st time in nearly 30 years but it was lovely to have @PMulrennan & @acmulrennan over for a visit! pic.twitter.com/Y7CogjZtHs
— Jim Goldie Racing (@JimGoldieRacing) September 18, 2024
Kevin Ryan’sQuartet: Multiple Shots at Gold
Meanwhile, trainer Kevin Ryan is hedging his bets, entering four horses into the Ayr Gold Cup. One notable entry is Aleezdancer, co-owned by Jack Berry, who is making his third attempt at the race. The five-year-old Aleezdancer would favor a softer surface and is praying for rain to turn the ground in his favor.
“He would have a fair chance, but he likes some give in the ground,” co-owner Jack Berry remarked, as he recalled the horse’s 2023 effort, where Aleezdancer finished only three lengths off the winner despite the ground not being ideal. Berry himself retired from training back in 2000, but his passion for racing remains as strong as ever.
A Race for the History Books
As the gates prepare to fly open at Ayr, the stakes have never been higher. For Paul Mulrennan, a victory would not only solidify his place in Scottish racing history but also deliver a long-awaited victory for Jim Goldie. For Mick Appleby, a win for Billyjoh would honor a beloved owner and add another feather to his illustrious cap. And for Kevin Ryan, his quartet of entries, led by Aleezdancer, could well pull off a surprise in this hotly contested race.
With the rain clouds looming and tension rising, only time will tell who claims the ultimate prize in this year's Ayr Gold Cup. One thing is for certain: it will be a race to remember, full of emotion, excitement, and history in the making.
