Heavy ground creates a few absentees as final field drawn up for Ayr Gold Cup on Saturday
THERE were a few high profile absentees from the Ayr Gold Cup final field as conditions continued to deteriorate.
The well fancied Laugh A Minute, Spring Loaded and Hey Jonesy were all missing as the draw was made for the 25 runners.
Hot favourite Son Of Rest stood his ground and will break from stall 17 as he attempts to create history and become the first ever Irish-trained winner of the race.
Fozzy Stack's sprinter is officially 10lb well-in, as he prepares to turn out just six days after being beaten just half a length by Havana Grey in the Group 1 Flying Five Stakes at the Curragh last Sunday.
Son Of Rest is one of two Irish raiders in the final field of 25 runners, along with Adrian Keatley's G Force, whose connections selected stall 23 during the live draw.
After checking conditions, Tim Easterby opted to go low for his three contenders, with Staxton in stall eight, Golden Apollo in four and Flying Pursuit three.
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The North Yorkshire-based trainer told Racing UK: "I think the track is amazing really. It looks great, it's really level. There is the odd heavy patch, but the draining they've done since last year has made a hell of a difference.
"When I walked the track I felt they maybe had a slight edge on the far side. That was my preference."
Richard Fahey's four-strong team is headed by 2016 Ayr Gold Cup runner-up Growl (13). He is joined by stablemates George Bowen (five), Kimberella (one) and Brian The Snail (10).
Kevin Ryan has won the Ayr Gold Cup three times in the last seven years and is represented by Major Jumbo (nine), Naadirr (six), Teruntum Star (18) and Tommy Taylor (19).
Other leading hopes include David Barron's Gunmetal (15), winner of the Great St Wilfrid at Ripon last month, and the Michael Dods-trained dual course winner Get Knotted (16).
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