Gordon Brown – Race Reporter Gordon has a wealth of experience of racing through his background in the written and broadcast media. His current principle role is reporting and supporting the scene in Scotland on Racing TV and relaying the latest news with Scottish angles.
Jim Goldie’s Jordan Electrics bids for a slice of history in the £180,000 Ladbrokes Ayr Gold Cup.
It almost 50 years to the day since Roman Warrior, a giant chestnut trained within sight of the winning post by the late Nigel Angus, supplied Scotland with its last home-trained winner of the six-furlong dash.
And the partner of Jordan Electrics, Kilmarnock-born Lauren Young, could also create her own slice of history as no female jockey has ever landed the race which dates back to 1804.
Uplawmoor-based Goldie said: “It’s a race I’ve always dreamed of winning but I’m worried the ground might be against ‘Sparky’. The best of his form, including two course records at Hamilton Park, has been on good to firm although he has won once over five-furlongs on good to soft.
“His draw in stall ten will see him in the centre of the track, which isn’t a bad draw, and Lauren’s 7lb claim will help too. You just never know in these big sprints and we’re happy to let him take him chance.”
The likely favourite is Northern Ticker, trained by Michael Dods, who has been second twice in the race with Barney McGrew (2009) and Comanche Falls (2022), a runner again this year.
Five-time winning trainer Kevin Ryan, who’s four representatives include James Doyle-ridden Ain’t Nobody.
The field also includes Alfa Kellenic, an impressive winner of last year’s Ayr Silver Cup.
India Love puts her unbeaten record on the line in Scotland’s only Group race, the Group 3 Ladbrokes “Get Rewarded With Ladbucks” Firth Of Clyde Stakes.
It is a a big step up for George Boughey’s Newmarket raider after she competed a hat-trick with a dead-heat effort in a nursery at Windsor in July.