Ayr Gold Cup 2025 tips and best bets as Alfa backed for big-race glory
Last year's Silver Cup winner backed the land the main prize on Scotland's showpiece flat racing day
ALFA KELLENIC (3:35) can be first past the post for Ivan Furtado in the Ladbrokes Ayr Gold Cup.
The daughter of Havana Grey looked useful when scoring at Newcastle and Thirsk for Craig Lidster.
She quickly made light of a massive step-up in class when brushing aside Flaccianello at York.
The filly showed a liking for this venue when chinning Mythical Phoenix in the Gold Cup Trial.
The bay stayed seven furlongs well when edging Queen Of Mougins back on the Knavesmire.
She really excelled herself when readily denying Aramram back over six in the Silver Cup here.
The sprinter then signed-off for Team Lidster with a weary fifth in a Newmarket Listed contest.
The filly will be trained to the moment so she can lift this historic prize for her shrewd new yard.
NORTHERN EXPRESS (1:15) can get back on track for Michael Dods in the Ladbrokes Handicap.
The gelding recorded a career best when second to Grey’s Monument in a Redcar Listed event.
However, he looked to be in the grip of the handicapper with a string of poor efforts this season.
The gelding showed signs of a revival when a close fifth behind Bullet Point in the Clipper at York.
The seven-year-old looks fairly-treated so he can resume winning ways in another trappy contest.
ALMERIC (1:50) can rule the roost for thriving Andrew Balding in the Doonside Cup.
The filly oozed potential when fourth to Prince Of The Seas in a strong Sandown maiden.
She handled soft ground conditions when decisively defeating Ride The Thunder at York.
The grey improved again when comfortably denying King Of Cities up in trip at Newmarket.
The three-year-old has been given time to develop so she can follow-up under Oisin Murphy.
The in-form rider can double-up on Hugo Palmer’s NARIKO (2:25) in the Ayr Silver Cup.
The four-year-old relished heavy ground when scoring in style at Haydock and Salisbury.
She was only denied a treble by a poor run when outpointed by Irish Nectar at Doncaster.
The filly hit back when fending-off Racingbreaks Ryder over seven furlongs at Goodwood.
She hit new heights when crushing Double Rush in the Scottish Stewards’ Cup at Hamilton.
The bay remains upwardly mobile so he can make another successful raid North of the Border.
Murphy can make it three on Richard Hughes’ promising newcomer NOBODY KNOWS (4:10).
COMING ATTRACTION (3:00) can top the bill for Roger Varian in the Firth Of Clyde Stakes.
The two-year-old was an eye-catching second to Indigo Dawn on debut at Goodwood in May.
The filly put that run to good use when powering to victory from Harlequin Angel at Catterick.
She looked even better when showing Blingy’s Sister no mercy in a Chester conditions contest.
There is plenty more to come from this smart type who can add a warm Listed event to her CV.
HIGHFIELD VIKING (4:40) can plunder division one of the Jordan Electrics Handicap.
Team Quinn’s bay built on some solid efforts when crushing Clonmacash over track and trip.
The five-year-old raised his game again when hacking-up from Magical Merlin at Chepstow.
He was then very unlucky to encounter the thriving Master Richard upped in class at Thirsk.
The gelding still lurks on an inviting mark so he can resume winning ways for his in-form yard.
LOOK BACK SMILING (5:15) can end the day on a happy note in the second division.
Gemma Tutty’s charge struggled after a near-miss to Sheriff’s Court at Carlisle in July.
He looked in better heart when third behind Walsingham in a decent event at Ascot.
The five-year-old remains well-treated so he can claim this slightly weaker handicap.
AYR
1:15 NORTHERN EXPRESS
1:50 ALMERIC
2:25 NARIKO
3:00 COMING ATTRACTION
3:35 ALFA KELLENIC (NAP)
4:10 NOBODY KNOWS
4:40 HIGHFIELD VIKING
5:15 LOOK BACK SMILING