Punters put their faith in Archie Watson as Silver Cup fancy tumbles in market

Archie Watson's runners at Ayr should always be feared and punters have latched onto the in-form Emperor Spirit in the Ayr Silver Cup (2.30).

The four-year-old was a general 10-1 last night but after sustained support, he is now 11-2 to give Watson another success in Scotland.

Watson has sent 34 runners to Ayr in his career and seven have returned to his Lambourn base as winners. That 21 per cent strike-rate has equated to a healthy level-stakes profit of £7.41.

A habitual front-runner, he was last seen finishing a head second at Ffos Las in first-time cheekpieces, for which he was raised 6lb, but that has not deterred the market.

"Punters are really getting behind Emperor Spirit, despite his 6lb rise in the weights for his Ffos Las second," said Paddy Power spokesman Paul Binfield.

"He's one of the most popular horses of the day with punters. Him and Bielsa are almost the two best-backed horses of the day – if Emperor Spirit wins the Silver Cup we'll be fairly afraid of Bielsa doing the same in the Gold Cup."

Elsewhere, at Newbury, Manaccan has been backed into 11-4 (from 7-2) with Paddy Power to win the Dubai International Airport World Trophy Stakes (2.15).

He was a Listed winner at Doncaster on his most recent start and when speaking to us for our preview, John Ryan believed there should be more to come.

"Manaccan has come out of his Doncaster run very well, and this is the natural progression for him," said Ryan.

"These are never easy contests to win and there are a couple of older horses in there with good form. It's a tough race, but I think he's still improving."

Can he repeat the feat? Bielsa backed to retain Ayr Gold Cup crown

Bielsa was a clear-cut winner of last year's Ayr Gold Cup (3.40) and he has been supported in the market as he bids to become only the third multiple winner of the race.

The seven-year-old was cut to 15-2 (from 10-1) by William Hill but is available at 9-1 with several firms.

He was 15-2 when scoring by two and a half lengths in 2021 and will be racing on his favoured surface on Saturday afternoon.

Alastair Donald, racing manager to owners King Power Racing, said: "He's in good form and it would be great to win the Ayr Gold Cup with him again – we've been waiting for this race for six months."

King Power also run the Andrew Balding-trained Fivethousandtoone, who is penalised for a comfortable win at Goodwood last month.

Bielsa has spent most of 2022 contesting high-class races and was last seen finishing fifth to Ebro River in the Queensferry Stakes at Chester.

He blew the start that day and cannot afford to do so again in this 25-runner dash. He is drawn amongst the pace in stall 17.

Going changed to good as conditions quicken

The going on Gold Cup day at Ayr has been changed to good, with jockeys describing the ground as 'beautiful'.

Speaking at 8am, clerk of the course Graeme Anderson said: "There was no rain overnight, we're expecting dry, sunny spells today with a maximum temperature of 15 degrees, so not overly warm – the ground is now just good.

"We're not expecting that to change and the jockeys are saying its beautiful ground. We put 5mm of water on the pull-up area last night, which only affects the 1m5f race."

The Ayr Gold Cup is the feature race of the track's Flat season and the field of 25 is headed by the William Haggas-trained Khanjar, who won easily at Haydock on his last start.

Khanjar: has won four of his six starts over this tripCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Commanche Falls won the Stewards' Cup at Glorious Goodwood and bids to become the first horse since Coastal Bluff in 1996 to win both races in the same season for trainer Michael Dods.

Anderson was quick to praise his groundstaff for a fantastic surface and said: "Everything has fallen into place for us naturally. We didn't need to irrigate, the rain came in perfect time and we've had fantastic racing over the last few days.

"The runners we've had has been great, it's back to to pre-Covid sort of levels which is great to see. Everybody looks forward to today, it's the one we aim for all year – for things to fall into place you ideally need a bit of luck with the weather and it's come good for us this year."

Ayr non-runners

1.55 8 Good Show
3.05 6 Immortal Beauty
4.45 11 Chookie Dunedin

Saturday previews:

1.40 Newbury: 'We expect some improvement' - can anyone challenge Godolphin trio in Group 3?

2.15 Newbury: 'This is much easier - she'll go close' - who is confident for wide-open sprint?

2.30 Ayr: Early pace could prove key to breaking Tim Easterby's Silver Cup stranglehold

2.50 Newbury: 'He could be a dark horse' - analysis and key quotes for the Mill Reef

3.05 Ayr: Clive Cox hopes 'thriving' filly can follow Harry Angel's improvement arc

3.40 Ayr: 'I'm not sure he's streetwise enough' - Haggas on Ayr Gold Cup favourite

3.55 Gowran Park: Analysis and key quotes as Magic Chegaga bids to continue brilliant season

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