Several big handicaps are usually contested in early autumn during the flat campaign and such has been the popularity of the Ayr Gold Cup that the Silver Cup has been introduced for those horses unable to gain an entry.

The Gold Cup itself appears to have attracted a very smart field…

Top weight and ante-post favourite Jack Dexter is priced at 10/1 with Ladbrokes and is reverting to handicaps after winning a Group 3 contest in June. He appears to prefer underfoot conditions which may be prevalent at Ayr but he finished a disappointing 12th in his previous handicap race at Doncaster with a similar weight, so he may be vulnerable.

Baccarat is joint favourite with some bookmakers with Coral quoting him at 10/1. The Richard Fahey four year sold gelding will carry six pounds extra from when winning the Great St Wilfred last month at Ripon where he appears to be a course specialist. He is not without a chance in this race, which could also be said for the Dean Ivory colt Tropics.

The five year old was a close sixth in the Stewards Cup at Goodwood before landing a recent Listed event over six furlongs at Newmarket in good to soft conditions. He can be backed at 14/1 with William Hill for this race.

Two other horses to note are ex-Stewards Cup winners Hoof It and Hawkeyethenoo, should they confirm their entry. Although both have experienced moderate form to date this season, they were third and fourth respectively in the recent Group 1 Betfred Sprint Cup at Haydock. Hoof it is 16/1 at Paddy Power to win his first race since clinching the 2011 Stewards Cup whereas Totesport are offering 20/1 for Hawkeyethenoo on gaining his first victory since the 2012 renewal.

A horse who may favour the anticipated easier ground conditions is third favourite Khubala who is fairly evenly matched with Tropics on latest form. Priced at 14/1 by BetVictor, the four year old colt has been in consistent form for most of the season and is weighted to carry only 8st 13lb.

Softer ground will also be appreciated by the Charles Hill trained Angels Will Fall who improved upon recent form by taking the Portland Handicap at Doncaster last week and he is 20/1 with Ladbrokes for a quick double, although he is doubly booked at Newbury.

Of the outsiders, Nocturn appears good each way value at the 25/1 quoted by William Hill. With three victories already this season and a trio of placed efforts, he has also run the odd mediocre race but with Mickael Barzalona booked as jockey, he will have decent chance of making the frame. Similarly, Highland Colori is set to travel a long distance from the Andrew Balding yard and can be backed at 25/1 with Coral with both William Hill and Coral offering 1/4 the odds for the first four placings.

As ever the Ayr Gold Cup will resemble a cavalry charge favouring those horses accustomed to running in large fields. The race is the highlight of a competitive three day card.

Photo courtesy Elite Ayrshire Business Circle