Confirmed runners and riders for the Ayr Gold Cup on Saturday as American Affair bids for big sprint double

American Affair remains on track to record a big sprint handicap double in Saturday's Virgin Bet Ayr Gold Cup (3.35) after declarations were made on Thursday morning. 

The progressive four-year-old landed the Portland at Doncaster's St Leger meeting with a powerful late charge last weekend and is set to make a quick reappearance under a 5lb penalty.

He represents trainer Jim Goldie, who has another candidate high up in the betting lists courtesy of prolific eight-year-old Jordan Electrics. Remarkably, he has climbed 30lb in the handicap this year.

Also declared were topweight Commanche Falls, ante-post favourite Ramazan, International winner Northern Express and Newbury scorer Lethal Levi, with Tinto the 25th and final horse to be guaranteed a run.

Among those not declared for the include Albasheer, who will head to the Group 3 World Trophy (1.30) at Newbury on the same day instead.

His owner Andy Taylor said: "He goes to Newbury. Archie [Watson, trainer] liked the look of that race on Monday and left options open. There's some pace in it, which is unusual for those stakes races, and I think the trainer has made a good decision."

Last year's winner Signifcantly was another to opt for the Newbury race due to concerns over the ground.

His trainer Julie Camacho's husband and assistant Steve Brown said: "We'd have loved for him to go up and defend his title but we're mindful that he had an injury in the spring and the ground is slowly drying at Ayr.

"There's the possibility of softer ground at Newbury. He's still building his way back to his best, he's around 90 per cent there, and we have some nice options in October, so the main thing is to give him another run on the easiest surface possible.

"If Newbury doesn't get rain, he's in a conditions race at Beverley on Tuesday and he might switch to that."

The ground at Ayr is officially good and clerk of the course Graeme Anderson said on Thursday morning: "We've had no rain since 4mm fell last Saturday and it's forecast to stay dry for the next three days.

"The ground hasn't changed all week and I believe it will still be good tomorrow. It may be good to firm in places on Saturday, but that doesn't worry me – it's Flat racing."

Ayr Gold Cup (3.35 Ayr, Saturday)

Paddy Power: 7 Rohaan, 8 Ramazan, 10 American Affair, Billyjoh, Jordan Electrics, Northern Express, 12 Glenfinnan, Lethal Levi, Room Service, Strike Red, 14 Mostabshir, 16 Jehangeer, Orazio, 20 Aleezdancer, King’s Lynn, Pilgrim, 25 Commanche Falls, Korker, Sergeant Wilko, Silky Wilkie, 33 Aramis Grey, Fivethousandtoone, 40 Dare To Hope, 50 Coachello, 66 Tinto

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Virgin Bet Ayr Gold Cup field: confirmed runners and riders

• Commanche Falls Connor Beasley
• Northern Express David Egan
• Ramazan Oisin McSweeney (3)
• Korker Jason Hart
• Orazio Billy Loughnane
• Room Service Tom Eaves
• Lethal Levi Clifford Lee
• Jordan Electrics Danny Tudhope
• Mostabshir Jim Crowley
• Silky Wilkie Sam Feilden (7)
• Fivethousandtoone PJ McDonald
• Coachello Callum Rodriguez
• Pilgrim Joe Fanning
• Glenfinnan David Nolan
• Aleezdancer Sean Levey
• American Affair Paul Mulrennan
• Rohaan Tom Queally
• Billyjoh Alistair Rawlinson
• Aramis Grey Callum Shepherd
• Dare To Hope Connor Murtagh
• Jehangeer Shane Gray
• King's Lynn William Carver (3)
• Sergeant Wilko Kevin Stott
• Strike Red Billy Garritty
• Tinto Rhys Elliott (7)

Ayr Gold Cup 1-2-3 verdict

By Sam Hardy, tipster

1 Korker
2 Room Service
3 Orazio

Korker has twice placed in Listed company this season and is more than capable of winning a big handicap if things drop right. He was a shade unlucky at York last time, meeting traffic two furlongs from home. Room Service started the season in Group company and proved his class last time when easily winning a handicap at Pontefract. He could prove the biggest danger for Kevin Ryan.

Korker15:35 Ayr

View Racecard

Jky: Jason Hart Tnr: K R Burke

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