Billy Lee secured a memorable first Group One success on Fiesolana in last weekend's Matron Stakes and aims today to secure a valuable handicap pot as An Saighduir lines up for the historic Ayr Gold Cup.
An Saighduir is joined by Ger Lyons's Burn The Boats in the big sprint but Andrew Slattery's runner has the advantage of course form having finished an unlucky third in the Silver Cup on the same card last year.
“He should have won the Silver Cup and we planned this last year,” said the Thurles-based trainer
. “I’ve got the draw I wanted and we’ve got everything, bar the rain. The ground will be safe. It’s just unfortunate we’ve not got the rain.”
Burn The Boats was a beaten favourite at Leopardstown last Saturday behind Baraweez and Lyons is taking a shot at a quick reappearance.
“He had no luck in running the last day. He’s won a premier handicap over six in Ireland and I suppose that form would give him a shout in an Ayr Gold Cup. It’s more luck than judgment what we’re at, more fingers crossed than anything else,” he admitted.
The Lyons team though look to have sound claims in the earlier Group Three Firth Of Clyde Stakes with Ainippe. The filly is making a quick return to action having finished fifth to Beacon in last weekend’s Flying Childers at Doncaster.
She is joined in the today’s race by the Cork winner Blackbriar, one of three rides on the card for Lee who also teams up with Alan McCabe’s Ansaab in the Silver Cup.
Wayne Lordan goes to Newbury for a Group Three ride on Scream Blue Murder in the five-furlong sprint. Tommy Stack's filly has already won at Group Three level at the Curragh last month.
