Racing Tips: Can Ice Age turn up the heat in the Ayr Gold Cup?

Odds, tips and preview for Saturday’s racing

After the excitement of the St Leger last weekend, attention this afternoon turns to Scotland for the Ayr Gold Cup.

The valuable £124,500 handicap has attracted plenty of interesting contenders. But who will come out on top in the heavy Ayrshire conditions?

The Coral News Team has tips for that race – plus seven others from Ayr and Newbury – in our ITV Racing Tips.

Ice Age – 3:50 Ayr

Son Of Rest has been well backed in for the Gold Cup since connections confirmed his spot earlier in the week. But in such a large field, we’re attracted to something at a slightly plumper price.

So it’s Ice Age who gets the nod. Eve Johnson Houghton’s charge isn’t in the best of form but should relish the heavy conditions afforded to him later today. The Frozen Power gelding has a solid record in big handicaps, too, and with talented apprentice Scott McCullagh claiming 7lb, the five-year-old is effectively running off a mark of 98.

A career best is required here, although a stall two draw should help his cause on each-way terms.

Glass Slippers – 3:15 Ayr

There was plenty to like about Glass Slippers on debut at Haydock in June. The filly finished just over 2l behind subsequent Duchess of Cambridge Stakes runner-up and Keeneland Stakes winner Angel’s Hideaway.

Since then, she’s run well at Glorious Goodwood and heads into this one looking for a hat-trick after back-to-back triumphs at Beverley and Chester. Kevin Ryan’s hopeful is entitled to come on again for those runs and could be worth a poke at a decent price.

Young Rascal – 2:20 Newbury

It’s been some time since we last saw Young Rascal out on the track. William Haggas’ colt has been off since a below-par run in the Derby in June. That was the three-year-old’s first attempt at Group 1 level. It can be excused on the basis of Epsom’s undulating course.

Prior to that, the son of Intello bested Dee Ex Bee in the Chester Vase and won with 5l in hand over course and distance in May. Coral ambassador Jim Crowley has been singing the horse’s praises. And if he’s back to his best, there’s no reason he can’t go close in a race which lacks a genuine star contender.

ITV Racing tips:

1:45 Newbury – Pivoine

2:00 Ayr – Borodin

2:20 Newbury – Young Rascal

2:40 Ayr – Holmeswood

2:55 Newbury – True Mason

3:15 Ayr – Glass Slippers

3:30 Newbury – Take Cover

3:50 Ayr – Ice Age (each-way)

For more horse racing odds click here.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing