Ayr Gold Cup: how to make sense of a pace conundrum in big sprint handicap

Saturday: 3.40 Ayr
Virgin Bet Ayr Gold Cup Handicap (Heritage Handicap) | 6f | 3yo+ | ITV4/RTV

Sprints have a knack of going against any pre-race analysis due to their remarkably volatile nature and last year's running of the famous sprint handicap provided an even greater head-scratcher for punters than usual.

The stands' side held sway as Bielsa (drawn 25) ploughed a lone furrow and powered home while Great Ambassador in stall one won on the far side by about four lengths in second. Sprinters drawn centrally in 15 and 16 finished third and fourth and there was no tangible draw bias.