Growl’s Going For Gold
The 2016 Ayr Gold Cup will take place on Saturday 17th September (Ayr Racecourse). This is one of the most important handicap races of the season and our ante-post betting market is already hotting-up!
Richard Fahey’s Growl is attracting the attention of punters, following strong performances in both the Bunbury Cup and the Stewards’ Cup.
The winner of the Stewards’ Cup was Dancing Star, a horse that has won 4 of his last 5 races. Andrew Balding’s filly will be another major player.
Roger Charlton’s Projection is an Acclamation-sired gelding who has shown plenty of promise, but he’ll need to improve further still.
Orion’s Bow, Certificate, Baccarat, Raucous, Nameitwhatyoulike, Kimberella, Intisaab, Hoof It and Brando are others in contention.
Can Qemah Maul Minding, In The Matron?
A brace of top Irish encounters will be held a week before the Gold Cup, with the G1 Matron Stakes scheduled for Saturday 10th September (Leopardstown).
Minding has emerged as a genuine Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe hopeful and Aidan O’Brien’s outstanding filly heads the betting. Sheer ability helped her overcome traffic problems in the English Oaks and she’s since won both the Pretty Polly Stakes and Nassau Stakes.
Qemah’s victories in the Coronation Stakes and the Rothschild (Deauville) indicate she has the ability to push Minding all the way though.
Persuasive, Nemoralia, Alice Springs, Volta, Jet Setting and Somehow all look held by the principal duo, but they are still attracting market-support.
Ervedya, Tanaza, Rose De Pierre, Now Or Never and Ballydoyle have shown some appeal to each-way backers.
Aidan Bringing Order Back To The Curragh
Sunday 11th September is the date of this year’s G1 Irish St Leger. Unlike its English namesake, this contest is not restricted to just 3-year-olds and Aidan O’Brien’s Order Of St George will attempt to repeat his 2015 success at the Curragh.
The Galileo colt is unbeaten since June of last year and his winning run does not look like coming to an end, just yet.
Stablemate Bondi Beach looks the biggest threat, having won the final English Classic of the season at Doncaster last October.
Runner-Up Simple Verse will represent Ralph Beckett, while Michael Bell’s Big Orange runs on Irish soil for the very first time.
Max Dynamite, Sword Fighter, Port Douglas, Landofhopeandglory, Clondaw Warrior, Bhutan and Alveena all have something to find, although none look completely out of it.
