Four fancies at Ayr, the Curragh and Listowel

From hardened handicappers at Ayr to the classy up and comers at the Curragh to the tough chasers at Listowel, make sure you’ve got your €50 in free bets with BoyleSports plus money back as a free bet if you finish 2nd to the SP favourite to spread across a terrific day of racing.

Big betting races, Group action, Flat and Jumps racing and a rich sales race makes today’s racing one to savourn for punters. There are betting opportunities everywhere you look and it’s one of those days when it won't be a surprise to see a handful of outsiders finish in front.

3.35 Ayr Virgin Bet Ayr Gold Cup Handicap (Heritage Handicap)

What a lineup for this year’s Ayr Gold Cup with a host of high-class handicappers fighting for the big prize. Bielsa and Summerghand have both landed this valuable trophy in the past and are expected to make bold displays once again.

It could be last year’s third in the race and Royal Ascot-third Juan Les Pins who manages to see off the field today though, he must do that off 6lb higher this year but he is progressive and is due to go up 8lb - he could be a good bet here at around 7-1.

Orazio struggled in the soft ground at Goodwood when well fancied last time and holds a strong chance for Charlie Hills, who has never hidden his high views of the son of Caravaggio. He poses a big threat.

Julie Comacho’s Significantly is a proven handicapper having finished a close second in the Portland Handicap at Doncaster last week and should be in the frame if that hasn’t taken too much out of him.

2.30 Curragh - Alan Smurfit Memorial Beresford Stakes (Group 2)

Joseph O’Brien’s classy and lightly-raced Stromberg has won his last two races and looks to have the ability to follow up here and make it three on the bounce. While this Group 2 is a step up in class for the son of Iffraaj, he has won his previous races by an impressive 10 lengths and seven lengths. An improved performance will be required here to land the spoils but the up and coming two-year-old looks capable of seeing off his rivals.

Aidan O’Brien saddles three in the race which he has won nine times in the last ten years and it could be Frankie Dettori’s Ballydoyle mount Navy Seal who presents the biggest danger to Stromberg. The Dubawi colt landed a maiden at Galway easily last time over a mile which was a marked improvement on his effort previously when he finished fifth. With more improvement to come, it wouldn’t be a surprise if he came home strongest of the O’Brien trio.

3.40 Curragh Goffs Million

No Nay Never filly Cherry Blossom is the deserved favourite for this competitive event. Having finished second in the Group 2 Lowther Stakes at York behind Relief Rally, she should be able to use her class to get the better of this field under Frankie Dettori.

The smart filly is stepping up in distance today to from six to seven furlongs which she should appreciate and back at the Curragh where she won easily prior to York, she looks the one to beat.

One to keep an eye on and with plenty of experience under her belt is daughter of Blue Point, Storm Miami, who finished ahead of Cherry Blossom at Naas in July. The old rivals are likely to fight it out again but with more racing under her belt, Cherry Blossom is still fancied to come out on top.

Do It With Style has been running well in Group 3 and Group 2 contests for trainer Donnacha O’Brien and is one to look out for at a decent each-way price.

4.30 Listowel Charlie Chute Memorial Handicap Steeplechase

The pick on recent form is Mica Malpic who was a recent winner at Kilbeggan in August where he won by an impressive seven lengths. A subsequent winner has emerged from that contest and he most recently finished not far behind Desertmore House who won the Kerry National on Wednesday.

A previous course winner over three miles last September, this consistent type seems enjoy this time of year on better ground and looks a good bet to land the big prize of the day for Enda Bolger and Mark Walsh.

Real Steel who switched from Paul Nicholls to Emmet McNamara last year must be considered for this contest as he recently missed out on a run in the Kerry National so is likely to be in good heart. He won the valuable Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown last Christmas and has been seen sparingly since. Coming back fresh from two lesser runs at the end of the season he could be a big danger.

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