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Strong entry for replacement Ayr Gold Cup delights Haydock

Kirkland Tellwright expects the ground at Haydock on Saturday to be testing
Kirkland Tellwright expects the ground at Haydock on Saturday to be testing

The decision to stage a replacement race for the Ayr Gold Cup, which was cancelled due to waterlogging last Saturday, has gone down well with owners as just one of the final 25 declarations, Kimberella, failed to appear among confirmations for the 32Red Gold Cup at Haydock this weekend.

A maximum field of 17 will go to post from a 105-strong entry for Saturday’s £90,000 replacement race, and Kirkland Tellwright, clerk of the course at Haydock, said on Tuesday: “I’m really glad to see such a strong entry.

“It vindicates the decision to give this type of horse the opportunity to compete for a decent pot, and we’re delighted 32Red have been able to lend their support.”

Extremely testing underfoot conditions are likely for the 6f handicap, with the Haydock ground described as soft, heavy in places.

Wet weather is forecast from Wednesday to Friday, with up to 19mm of rain possible. However, there are no concerns the meeting will suffer the same fate as Ayr, and Tellwright said: “We'll be fine. The going will probably be soft, heavy in places on Saturday.”

Several horses who were not declared for Ayr have been confirmed for the revamped event, including joint topweight Son Of Rest, Roger Charlton’s Projection, and the William Haggas-trained Sainted.

Son Of Rest is not a definite runner, with trainer Fozzy Stack considering Sunday’s Group 1 Qatar Prix de l’Abbaye at Chantilly.

The likely testing ground is also expected to lead to Projection missing the race, but Johnny Barnes, who was one of the leading fancies for Ayr, is an intended runner.

Harry Herbert, spokesman for the five-year-old’s owners, Bermuda Thoroughbred Racing Limited, said: “Johnny Barnes has never been better. He’s a different horse this year. He should run a very good race off his great win at Goodwood on ground he'll love. He’s really well.”

Shanghai Glory is 8-1 favourite with the sponsor, with Sainted 10-1, and four horses quoted at 14-1 including Johnny Barnes.


Haydock entries


Published on 26 September 2017inNews

Last updated 20:15, 26 September 2017

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