Today’s FREE ITV racing tips: Newbury, Ayr, Newmarket, Chelmsford, Catterick and Wolverhampton – Steve Mullen’s betting preview for the racing this Saturday, September 22
GEORGE can be king in the Ayr Gold Cup (3.50).
GEORGE BOWEN looks a huge price after going close in the Stewards’ Cup at Glorious Goodwood last time.
He almost pulled off a miracle there as he was stone last passing the furlong marker.
To weave his way through the 26-strong field was always going to be tough but he almost did it.
He was still hitting top speed at the line and would have won had the challenge kickstarted a bit sooner.
Let’s hope 5lb claimer Sebastian Woods has him a little closer to the pace today so there’s not so many rivals to pass in the closing stages.
GOLD CUP FEVER Latest odds, tips and TV schedule for the Ayr Gold Cup
Before that Goodwood effort, Richard Fahey’s six-year-old showed his quality by winning the Scottish Steward’s Cup at Hamilton.
He wasn’t so far back that day and streaked away from his rivals to win by almost three lengths — no mean feat in a race like that.
Despite his advancing years, he seems to be improving and looks a Group-class sprinter, which you will need to be for this hot contest.
While those past two efforts were on quick ground, he has gone well in more testing conditions and was a close-up third in a good race on the one occasion he’s raced on heavy.
Steve Mullen's top tips for Saturday
- 1.45 Newbury - Pivoine
- 2.40 Ayr - Al Qahwa
- 3.50 Ayr - George Bowen
He’s an each-way price and has every chance of forcing his way into the first four — and even beating them all home.
Son Of Rest has been favourite all week and with good reason after finishing a close second at Group 1 level in his native Ireland last time.
He is, in theory, taking a massive drop in class coming to a handicap after that and he’s 2lb lower than when winning on heavy ground at The Curragh last season.
He has an obvious chance on that form but his best runs — including last time — have been over 5f and there’s no guarantee he will see out this trip, especially on testing going.
GET ON TREND Who will win the Ayr Gold Cup this Saturday?
A bigger threat at a tastier price could be Muntadab. He gets 7f well and loves to get his toe in. He has run some good races in defeat this season and could cash in if this turns into a slog.
AL’s your pal in the Ayr Silver Cup (2.40). AL QAHWA loves soft ground was a close-up sixth in a tough contest over this trip at The Curragh last time out.
He worked wonders to get so near to the leaders from a poor draw and he was really motoring before the finishing line spoiled his fun.
Today’s starting stall should be ideal and the fact he stays further than this should be an asset in the conditions.
On the other side of the track, Dakota Gold should run well again after a string of places in huge fields.
He was an excellent fourth of 21 in the Portland at Doncaster last weekend but prefers this slightly longer distance.
Stall 22 could be tricky but he goes in the ground and has a touch of class about him. That could add up to a placed finish.
PIVIONE was impressive when winning at York last time and can follow up in Newbury’s hot handicap at 1.45.
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Andrew Balding’s hope has 5lb extra to carry today after scorching away from his rivals on the Knavesmire. That looks fair enough as he looked more like a group horse than a handicapper.
He was sporting first-time blinkers so there is a slight concern about them having the same effect again but it was a huge effort.
Adamant could be a typical Sir Michael Stoute horse that gets better with age.
He landed a fair prize art Sandown earlier in the season and bounced back from a couple of modest runs to win well at Chelmsford last time.
This is a much hotter race than that but he’s respected and should improve with so few miles on the clock.