A record 241 horses have entered for the William Hill Ayr Gold
Cup at Ayr Racecourse on Saturday September 17.
Headed by a host of quality sprinters including Mick Easterby's
Hoof It, recent York winner Doncaster Rover from the David Brown
yard, the Richard Fahey pair Majestic Myles and Mayson and Jim
Goldie's Hawkeyethenoo, the eventual 27 runner field should ooze
class.
David Nicholls, who has saddled 6 winners from the last 11
runnings of the race including last year's victor Redford, has 28
entries and there are also previous winners entered in Advanced
(2007), Regal Parade (2008) and Jimmy Styles (2009).
Sponsors William Hill have installed the James Fanshawe trained
Macs Power as 12/1 favourite with Hoof It, David O'Meara's Pepper
Lane and Kanaaf from Ed Dunlop's yard all at 14/1.
Jockeys expected to be in action on the day include Frankie
Dettori, successful in 2009 on Regal Parade and on Redford last
year, current champion jockey Paul Hanagan, Silvestre de Sousa and
Jamie Spencer.
The entry beats last year's then record of 207 and Ayr
Racecourse Sales and Marketing Manager Lindsey Smith commented :
"This shows the standing in which the race is held within the
racing industry.
"To have the quantity and quality of entries that we have is
fantastic for the race and for the sponsors. We look forward to
another great William Hill Ayr Gold Cup."