Can Saffie Osborne's bandwagon roll on to Ayr? Richard Spencer and Rebel Racing plot powerful Gold Cup squad

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Richard Spencer and owner Phil Cunningham are preparing a strong Ayr squad this weekend, with history-maker Saffie Osborne on hand to help them attempt to repeat last season's heroics of landing the Ayr Gold Cup and Silver Cup. 

It remains to be seen how many of their nine confirmations will end up in the £180,000 feature but last year's winner Run Boy Run, Silver Cup winner Candy and Two Tribes are likely to get a run, while Twilight Calls could also sneak in off a low weight.

The latter was last seen finishing a half-length second in the Portland at Doncaster under Osborne, who could keep the ride in her bid for a first Ayr Gold Cup after becoming the first female jockey to win a British Classic in the St Leger.

Osborne said she felt she hit the front too soon aboard the eight-year-old on Saturday and said he would be "very hard to beat" if he is able to take his place in the Gold Cup, which will require a few runners being taken out this week.

"Twilight Calls ran well at Doncaster," said Spencer. "He probably wasn't drawn in the greatest spot and there wasn't really much to take him into the race, which he needs. 

"He doesn't do a lot when he hits the front but he ran a solid race. We'll get him as fresh as we can for Saturday and hopefully he can slot in at the bottom of the weights in the Gold Cup."

Osborne has been a big part of Spencer and Rebel Racing's operation, with 22 victories from 98 rides, and the trainer added of her exploits: "It was a great day for Saffie and I'd imagine it's the first of many for her."

Run Boy Run: landed last season's Ayr Gold Cup under George WoodCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Spencer and Cunningham are keen to support the meeting and in addition to being well represented in the Gold, Silver and Bronze Cups, they expect to have runners in the Group 3 Firth of Clyde Stakes.

Spencer said: "There's a lot of water to pass under the bridge between now and Saturday but you could be looking at Two Tribes, Twilight Calls, Run Boy Run and Candy for the Gold Cup, while Rapper's Delight might potentially slot into the Silver Cup.

"We'll send Hawksbill for a handicap and could have one or two in the Firth of Clyde, Sexy Chick and Starburster. We've not yet decided but they'd have chances. Hopefully we're going there with a few live chances and we'll have a bit of fun this week."

Ladbrokes Ayr Gold Cup (3.40 Ayr, Saturday)

Sponsors: 5 Binhareer, 8 Coul Angel, Thunder Call, 10 Far Above Dream, 12 Dance In The Storm, Tuco Salamanca, 14 Evening Saigon, Fine Interview, Red Spells Danger, 16 Run Boy Run, Stratusnine, 20 bar.

Read more:

Jubilant Saffie Osborne revelling in 'surreal' St Leger triumph - and could the BBC's Sports Personality of the Year award be next? 

Clare Balding expects next decade to be 'really, really exciting' for female jockeys after Saffie Osborne's historic Classic breakthrough

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