Trainer views and tipster analysis before an ultra-competitive Ayr Silver Cup

Saturday: 2.30 Ayr
Virgin Bet Ayr Silver Cup Handicap | 6f | 3yo+ | ITV/RTV

I've never acted, but I'm sure those who have will tell you that dress rehearsals are extremely important. There's a big difference between that industry and horseracing but this race will act as a warm-up for the Ayr Gold Cup just over an hour later.

Four of the last five winners have been drawn low and with Staxton (stall two), Shallow Hal (three), last year's winner Magical Spirit (four) and Soldier's Minute (six) berthed furthest away from the stands, a similar scenario may pan out. Should the far side dominate, jockeys in the main event may look to edge left from the stalls.

Although acting as a dress rehearsal, there's no doubting the quality in another competitive edition. With topweights Total Commitment and Rathbone boasting official ratings of 95, three-year-old Royal Scimitar running off 97 and just 9lb splitting the 25 runners, you almost need an Ayr Gold Cup horse to win the Silver Cup, such is the standard.

Should the electric pace materialise from those drawn low, look out for fast-finisher Blackrod and Royal Scimitar, who is interestingly fitted with first-time blinkers by trainer Clive Cox. A speed collapse could unfold.

Those drawn high include 2019 Bronze Cup winner Music Society, who was fancied for the same race last year but unseated Paul Mulrennan leaving the stalls. Clearly suited by big-field handicaps, Music Society will get the assistance of apprentice Ella McCain, who seeks her biggest career victory.

This day has proved instrumental to the careers of several young riders including champion jockey Oisin Murphy, who won the Ayr Gold Cup as a 5lb claimer in 2013. Will Ella McCain etch her name into the history books?
Race analysis by Tom Collins

Does Dods have another sprinting star?

Michael Dods has few peers when it comes to improving sprinters and Blackrod could prove another example by landing the Ayr Silver Cup.

The three-year-old looks tailor-made for the demands of this six-furlong cavalry charge.

Dods said: "Blackrod has done everything right. He did very well to win last time at York over five, which was on the short side for him, and won nicely the time before over six at Newmarket. He's a great-looking horse who is only three and I can see him improving into a decent performer next year."

Dods, who secured this valuable prize with Mass Rally in 2012, has a second string to his bow in the five-year-old Woven.

"Any rain would help Woven," the trainer said. "He's been campaigned in some fairly decent races and has run well, so he's not without a chance."

What they say

Adam Ryan, assistant to Kevin Ryan, trainer of Rathbone, Magical Spirit, Bergerac and Uncle Jumbo
Rathbone is in good order and Oisin [McSweeney] takes a valuable 7lb off his back. Magical Spirit won this race last year impressively and we're hoping for a similar performance. Bergerac is an improving three-year-old who won nicely at York. He goes there with a leading chance. Uncle Jumbo has been freshened up since his last run at York. We feel he's open to more improvement.

Tim Easterby, trainer of Boardman, Staxton, Music Society and Golden Apollo
Boardman is in good order and ideally likes a bit of juice in the ground. Staxton loves good ground – the better the ground, the better he goes, and he should have a good chance. Music Society has been saved for this race and is in good form. He likes the track, as does Golden Apollo who should run well.

Golden Apollo (far): won this race in 2019Credit: Grossick Photography

Karl Burke, trainer of Bickerstaffe and Shallow Hal
Bickerstaffe has been in great order and has shown a good level of form this summer, but he's a three-year-old against the older horses and that's not always easy. The ground should be perfect for him and he'll progress from three to four. This might be a year too soon for this type of race, but I'm sure he'll be back up here for the Gold Cup next year. Shallow Hal will need the run as he's been off for a while.

Paul Midgley, trainer of Mid Winster
She's been brilliant. She's as honest and genuine as the day is long. She'd like the rain to stay away and we're expecting a good run.
Reporting by Richard Birch

Saturday's race previews:

2.15 Newbury: will the true Khaadem turn up again? Tom Collins assesses a 'wide-open' sprint

2.50 Newbury: gelded Al Aasy should be close to his best on return says William Haggas

3.05 Ayr: unbeaten runner's tendency to hit flat spot makes her an in-running play

3.40 Ayr: 'Hopefully this will be his last run in a handicap' – key Ayr Gold Cup quotes

3.40 Ayr: why Great Ambassador may find himself in the worst possible position (Members' Club)

4.00 Newbury: will early season form or late-season bloomers flourish in a puzzling Mill Reef?

4.30 Gowran Park: 'It's probably the first time all season she's got her proper ground'

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