Following a break final week as a result of Doncaster St Leger assembly, in the present day sees a return for the Ante-post Evaluation column forward of the Ayr Gold Cup this weekend.
Two horses are on my agenda forward of tomorrow’s declarations for the Scottish monitor, so let’s dive in.
Island could possibly be in paradise
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In 2011, the Group 3 Firth Of Clyde went the way in which of Roger Sez for Tim Easterby and 12 years on, her filly by Territories, Navassa Island, can be hoping to emulate her dam.
The Michael O’Callaghan-trained two-year-old caught the attention on debut in Might when second within the Group 3 Fillies Dash Stakes at Naas.
The Coolmore Stud Irish EBF Fillies Dash Stakes artwork @NaasRacecourse is received nicely by Porta Fortuna. pic.twitter.com/YuR2XojNSK
— Horse Racing Eire (@HRIRacing) Might 21, 2023
She completed only a neck behind Porta Fortuna that day regardless of experiencing a troublesome route by way of the race; the winner has since received the Group 3 Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot earlier than a runners-up medal within the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes and an excellent third within the Group 1 Moyglare Stakes.
Quick ahead two months and Navassa Island stepped up in journey to an prolonged seven furlongs on the Curragh the place she ran nicely however seemingly didn’t see out the gap.
Connections agreed with this view as they introduced her again to 6 furlongs final month and was a cushty winner on the Curragh; the second, She’s High quality, bolted up on her subsequent begin at Sandown and the third, Letsbefranksboutit, succeeded within the Group 3 Spherical Desk Stakes 13 days later.
Expertise counts @curraghrace …
Navassa Island, who had already raced 3 times, denies She’s High quality on the far aspect within the six-furlong @IrishEBF_ maiden. Newcomer Letsbefrankaboutit an enormous eyecatcher in third. 🏇@MDOCallaghan | @DylanBrowneMcM pic.twitter.com/l0b1YdZA8j
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) August 13, 2023
A glance by way of her pedigree means that gentle floor could possibly be superb, although that is an unknown, and at 10/1, I’m hopeful of an enormous run from Navassa Island.
Group horse in a handicap
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This Flat season, high-rated horses have dropped into handicaps with a good weight on their again to good impact; Historic Rome at Superb Goodwood and Equilateral at York immediately spring to thoughts.
Though Rohaan has a barely totally different profile to each talked about examples, he nonetheless holds an excellent probability in Saturday’s Ayr Gold Cup at 14/1.
Firstly, the David Evans-trained five-year-old is 4 kilos unsuitable on the weights off a mark of 104 because the handicapper has dropped his mark for the reason that entry stage thanks to 2 disappointing efforts.
Regardless of this, with the rain set to hit the South Ayrshire monitor forward of their premier Flat race of the yr, he nonetheless holds good advantage in direction of the highest of weights.
Right here’s Clerk of the Course Graeme Anderson with this mornings going report. Solely in the future untill we kick off The Virgin Wager Ayr Gold Cup Pageant🐎 @ClerkAyr pic.twitter.com/0KhiAf0vs5
— Ayr Racecourse (@ayrracecourse) September 20, 2023
As soon as rated 116, the Mayson gelding final visited the winners’ enclosure in October when a cushty winner of the Group 3 Bengough Stakes on good-to-soft floor.
Earlier than that, he was a shock victor of the Group 2 Sandy Lane Stakes on heavy and likewise received his first Wokingham Stakes off a mark of 112 on gentle in 2021.
What a efficiency! Rohaan sprouts wings to win the Wokingham for Shane Kelly and David Evans at Royal @Ascot… pic.twitter.com/dPUslHxOPW
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 19, 2021
Though Rohaan’s kind this season leaves a bit to desired, he bounced again to his finest having raced poorly forward of final yr’s Wokingham Stakes victory, so there may be precedent for him to enhance significantly.
At 14/1, he’s an aesthetic animal and will simply be the very best horse on Saturday.
