It’s September Weekend in Scotland and that means one thing for us; the Ayr Gold Cup.

This six-furlong handicap is a belter once again. Worth £180,000, this is the race so popular with horsemen that it has not one, but two consolation races in the Bronze and Silver Cups.

We have a full field of 25 runners, naturally, and while it’s been busy at Ayr this week, we are expecting lovely, fair ground for all.

Past winners of this race have tended to come from the top 20% or so of the market. Ideally, we’re looking for strong travellers who can race near the front end, drawn high if possible. There’s pace expected from stalls 16, 18, 20, 21 and 24 to name a few so the high draw should be favoured.

We’ve taken all of that into consideration along with general form, ability, potential and handicap marks to come up with this shortlist of six:

Main Contenders

Bielsa

A former winner of this race, Bielsa has been handed gate 1 but that alone won’t stop him from winning again.

He is eight years old now but clearly retains most if not all of his ability. Trained by Kevin Ryan, the gelding’s form figures this season are 2103, his 10^th at Ascot amounting to just a 3-length defeat from the middle of the track.

Having been narrowly beaten on very soft ground the better surface this time should help and he’s in with an each-way chance once again.

Juan Les Pins

Michael Appleby’s six-year-old is a most interesting contender. He will be running today off a mark of 98, gained after finishing third in the same Ascot race in which Orazio, Mr Wagyu and Bielsa were in behind, plus others not on this shortlist but in the race.

Since then, he has run third to Lezoo in a Listed race, earning him a new mark of 106. He then filled the runner-up spot behind Commanche Falls at the same level at York, running even better, and is now very well handicapped.

He can race near the pace in good company, he is well drawn and has not been over-raced. There really is plenty to recommend this horse and he’s hard to ignore. Alistair Rawlinson rides.

Montassib

In terms of form figures this season, 041008 doesn’t look too inspiring. This is a horse trained by William Haggas who is only five and has just 13 runs under his belt so he has to be worth a second look.

That second look reveals a few interesting things. Last time out, Montassib was on the wrong side of the track, actually finishing second in his group of 14 in a seven-furlong race at Ascot.

He also won over seven at Newmarket but a stiff six coming off a strong pace looks ideal. His last run can be upgraded and he is still improving overall.

Mr Wagyu

Mr Wagyu has been well touted this week. There are no secrets though, all of his fine efforts are in the form book including a 7^th in the aforementioned Ascot race including Juan Les Pins et al, a 4^th in the Stewards’ Cup, a 9^th at York in a heritage handicap and a close third last time in a premier handicap at the Curragh.

He is rock-solid, will be fine in the conditions and is drawn well in stall 21 so there is lots to like, but surely the handicapper has got his number?

Orazio

Our ante-post favourite is Orazio and it’s easy to see why.

Charlie Hills’ sprinter is only four and, overall, has more improvement to come which connections will hope comes on Saturday. He began the turf season with wins at Newmarket and Ascot and he has since been sent off as favourite for the Wokingham and the Stewards’ Cup.

Though he was beaten in both of those, there are genuine excuses. He was 3^rd of 10 in his Group at Ascot (though Juan Les Pins was ahead of him), while he hated the heavy ground at Goodwood.

Connections explained that he wants a quicker surface and he’ll get one here. He is drawn 23 which is good, so long as Jim Crowley doesn’t get overconfident in keeping him off the pace back in the pack.

Probe

Probe is only five and can still do better yet, while his early-season form in 2023 entitles him to be on this list. He has an each-way chance, but some improvement is needed to get past a bunch of old rivals.

Summary

All in all, the two to concentrate on look to be Orazio, who has been improving nicely, and JUAN LES PINS who ultimately gets the vote.