Jim Goldie mob-handed with five in Ayr Bronze Cup - but he thinks the favourite has a 'nightmare' draw

Jim Goldie is always well represented in the big sprints at the Ayr Gold Cup meeting and he has plenty of bases covered in the Bronze Cup with five runners, a team headed by hot favourite Eternal Sunshine. 

Claimer Lauren Young has forged a superb relationship with Eternal Sunshine, who has thrived for a change to front-running tactics and arrives on a four-timer after producing another career-best when landing the Portland last weekend. 

This is a weaker race and Eternal Sunshine is 6lb well in under an 8lb penalty, although it is worth remembering she struggled in the previous Bronze Cup off 9lb lower when a similarly short price. She is a better mare these days, but stall one may be tricky to overcome. 

Goldie can also call upon Mostar Dreams (stall three) and Kelpie Grey (four), plus outsiders Yaaser (11) and Oriental Prince (21) should Eternal Sunshine underperform.  

Those who raced on the far side were at a significant advantage in the previous running and arguably the two most interesting non Goldie-trained runners are drawn in single figures.

Wobwobwob (stall five) landed the Silver Cup two years ago and has bounced back to form on his past two runs. He beat everything on the near side when second in a Racing League handicap over 7f at Chepstow last time. 

Three-year-old Territorial Knight (stall nine) is even more attractive each-way. He claimed sixth in a 6f handicap for three-year-olds at York four starts back that is working out strongly, with subsequent wins for the eighth (twice), ninth, 13th, 15th, 17th and 18th. Having made good progress himself since, his chance is clear against older sprinters.
Analysis by Robbie Wilders

Going update

The going is good to soft, soft in places, with variations of that description anticipated across the three-day meeting. 

Clerk of the course Graeme Anderson said: "It's close to good to soft already, so by the end of play today [Thursday] that's what I'll say it would be. A bit of rain tonight will probably knock us back to good to soft, soft in places tomorrow depending on the amounts.

"It will probably dry back through Friday and we'll be back to good to soft on Saturday. It's going to be dry most of the day on Saturday until about 3pm and then some light rain is expected.

"I think what will happen is we'll be good to soft, soft-ish tomorrow again and Saturday will be nearer good to soft. It won't be bottomless."

What they say

Jim Goldie, trainer of Mostar Dreams, Eternal Sunshine, Kelpie Grey, Yaaser and Oriental Prince
Stall one for Eternal Sunshine is a nightmare. I wouldn't have picked that because we're straight into a headwind. Mostar Dreams was unlucky last time and will probably go very close. Kelpie Grey likes cut in the ground and is in good form. I seem to have been drawn one, three and four with those, which is very interesting. Yaaser has run well over six furlongs here before so he should go well. Oriental Prince would probably want the ground a bit quicker, but I like the high draw.

Iain Jardine, trainer of Moonstone Boy and Jonny Concrete
Jonny Concrete has been fairly consistent this year, his form has been good. He ran in the race last year, but I've put first-time blinkers on him and I'm hoping that brings out improvement. We're happy with him at home and we're hoping for a big run. Moonstone Boy is good. His last two runs have been over five furlongs and he's finished off well after not getting involved early, which suggests he's crying out for six [furlongs]. We've left the blinkers off and put cheekpieces on. The ground will suit both – definitely Moonstone Boy, but Jonny Concrete is very versatile too.

Michael Dods, trainer of Woven and Bosh
Any rain would be a help to Woven as he loves it soft, but Bosh wouldn't and would want it to dry a bit. They have good draws.

Ruth Carr, trainer of Kats Bob
He's been super-consistent. He's been holding his form well and if everything goes right he's capable off this mark. I don't think soft ground will concern him too much.

Adrian Keatley, trainer of Wobwobwob
He's going to try to win the Bronze Cup after winning the Silver. He's in very good order and his last run at Chepstow was very good. His course form is good, he was second there earlier on this year, so hopefully he can get his head in front.
Reporting by Maddy Playle

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