Hawkeyethenoo out to end poor Scottish Ayr Gold Cup record
Published:Jim Goldie is perhaps being slightly optimistic if he wants the rain to stay away from Scotland in the coming days to give Hawkeyethenoo the best chance of winning the Ayr Gold Cup.
There has been no Scottish-trained winner of the 6f dash since Roman Warrior in 1975 and it is 14/1 that Hawkeyethenoo ends this barren streak.
His victory in the Stewards’ Cup off top weight at Goodwood last month is a leading reason as to why he is one of the co favourites, while he has generally run with credit in a host of big-field handicaps this season.
Trainer Goldie believes that punters should forget the latest performance of Hawkeyeofthenoo in the Haydock Sprint Cup after a horrid start, but agrees that his chances could largely depend on ground conditions.
Goldie said: “I’d prefer good, good to soft, but it will be what it is. You need everything in your favour to win a race like that and the ground will be the key.
“It’s been a very wet year and it would be nice to get some good ground but I doubt we are going to get it.”
Hawkeyeofthenoo finished tenth in the Ayr Gold Cup last year, but arguably may struggle to fare much better this time, given that he will have to contend off his highest ever handicap mark.
He will not be the only home entrant to compete in Europe’s richest sprint handicap as Ian Semple is set to run Cheviot.
Cheviot is currently available at 20/1 and was also successful off top weight when a surprise winner at Haydock earlier this month.
This was over just 5f and the Ayr Gold Cup represents a completely different test, but he is more than entitled to take his place in the field.
All odds and markets correct as of publication
