Friday 18th September 2026
I’ve got two bets from Ayr’s Gold Cup Meeting on Friday, and the first of these comes in the 2.30, which is the Listed Harry Roseberry Stakes over five furlongs. I find it hard to get away from the Phillip Makin-trained HICKORY LAD here, who’s the mount of Sam James. He won the Woodcote Stakes at Epsom back in June, before placing in the Group 2 July Stakes at Newmarket, and most recently in Listed company at York, where he finished a length and a half behind Sale Shark. He sets the standard on the very solid form he’s shown throughout the summer, and he could prove tough to beat. Mussab was third in the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot, and is open to further improvement for the Fahey team following a decisive win in novice company at Newcastle last time out.
Selection: Hickory Lad – (6/4) (Win) (NB)
Shortlist: Mussab (4/1)
2.30 Ayr
My second bet comes in the 3.15, and we have more Listed action in the form of the Arran Scottish Sprint EBF Fillies’ Stakes over five and a half furlongs. I’m strong on BEAUTIFUL DIAMOND in the particular contest for Karl Burke and Pierre-Louis Jamin. She’s already won three Listed events at this course, including when taking this race last year, and she comes into the race in solid form, notably when finishing third in the Group 2 Temple Stakes at Haydock on her penultimate outing in May.
She was slightly underwhelming when finishing third in a Listed event here last time out when going off favourite; however, she’s been given a break, and this has likely been the plan again, as she took this race twelve months ago on the back of a break. Luna A Inbhir Nis was only a length behind Rumstar in Group 3 company last time out for Katie Stott, and if she’s in that form again, she can get involved under Jason Hart.
Selection: Beautiful Diamond – (13/8) (Win) (NAP)
Shortlist: Luna A Inbhir Nis (11/2)
3.05 Ayr
