As is almost always the case, the biggest flat contest of the Scottish racing year attracted a maximum field, as 25 handicappers lined up across the track in a hugely competitive renewal.
Having finished in the first three in all seven starts in 2024, including a win in the Portland Handicap last time out, the Jim Goldie-trained American Affair was the choice of punters on the day, attracting a wave of late money to start at odds of just 11/4.
Ascot specialist Rohaan and the Charles Hills-trained Orazio finished seventh and 11th in the 2023 edition and were the only other runners available at a single-figure price. Moving a little further down the list, the John and Thady Gosden-trained Mostabshir caught the eye as a former Group race competitor, having only his second crack at six furlongs.
Five-time winner of the race Kevin Ryan sent four to post, headed by the lightly raced Room Service, who made his first start following a wind procedure. Michael Dods matched that tally of four, with his quarter including the top weight, Commanche Falls, who was two pounds lower than when second in 2022. Successful in 1994 and 1998, Karl Burke sent three in pursuit of the prize as he belatedly sought to land the hattrick – and what a trio they turned out to be…
Result
- 1st – Lethal Levi 20/1, Jockey: Clifford Lee, Trainer: Karl Burke
- 2nd – Silky Wilkie 66/1, Jockey: Sam Feilden, Trainer: Karl Burke
- 3rd – Korker 40/1, Jockey: Jason Hart, Trainer: Karl Burke
Prize Money Breakdown
- 1st – £92,772
- 2nd – £43,506
- 3rd – £21,762
- 4th – £10,872
- 5th – £5,436
- 6th – £2,718
Tote and Forecast Payouts
- Tote Win – £23.60
- Tote Places – 1st – £5.60, 2nd – £12.90, 3rd – £10.60
- Exacta – £1,017.40
- Computer Straight Forecast (CSF) – £993.48
- Trifecta – £60,053.90
- Tricast – £39,494.40
Recap
The field split into two distinct groups when the stalls opened – Sergeant Wilko and Strike Red breaking well to lead the clustered pack on the far side, with Lethal Levi quick out of the gates from stall 20 towards the stands side rail.
Two furlongs into the race, two groups had become three with Fivethousandtoone and Commanche Falls leading towards the far rail. Meanwhile, the in-form Jordan Electrics was making his bid down the centre, tracked by Silky Wilkie and a well-positioned Mostabshir, with Lethal Levi a length clear of a small near-side group of five.
Little changed moving into the second half of the race. Fivethousandtone was still ahead on the far side, Silky Wilkie was moving on from Jordan Electrics down the centre, and Lethal Levi was travelling well to shade the overall lead on the near side. There was nothing yet from American Affair, who raced mid-pack in the far group.
The jockeys began to ask their mounts for everything approaching the two-furlong pole as it became clear that the near side and middle groups had moved clear of those on the far side. With the pace holding up, Lethal Levi and Silky Wilkie moved clear of their respective groups to battle it out inside the final furlong. Lethal Levi held sway in a thrilling finish, with Silky Wilkie running a cracker three lengths back in second. Third was taken by Korker, who fared much the best of the hold-up performers to scythe through the pack and hand his trainer a spectacular 1-2-3.
A third Ayr Gold Cup victory for Karl Burke and a first for jockey Clifford Lee, who continued his excellent 2024.
Runners
- 1. Commanche Falls – SP: 25/1, Trainer: Michael Dods, Jockey: Connor Beasley
- 2. Northern Express – SP: 50/1, Trainer: Michael Dods, Jockey: David Egan
- 3. Ramazan – SP: 14/1, Trainer: Richard Fahey, Jockey: Oisin McSweeney
- 4. Korker – SP: 40/1, Trainer: Karl Burke, Jockey: Jason Hart
- 5. Orazio – SP: 15/2, Trainer: Charles Hills, Jockey: Billy Loughnane
- 6. Room Service – SP: 14/1, Trainer: Kevin Ryan, Jockey: Tom Eaves
- 7. Lethal Levi – SP: 20/1, Trainer: Karl Burke, Jockey: Clifford Lee
- 8. Jordan Electrics – SP: 16/1, Trainer: Jim Goldie, Jockey: Daniel Tudhope
- 9. Mostabshir – SP: 11/1, Trainer: John & Thady Gosden, Jockey: Jim Crowley
- 10. Silky Wilkie – SP: 66/1, Trainer: Karl Burke, Jockey: Sam Feilden
- 11. Fivethousandtoone – SP: 40/1, Trainer: Andrew Balding, Jockey: P J McDonald
- 12. Coachello – SP: 80/1, Trainer: Mark Loughnane, Jockey: Callum Rodriguez
- 13. Pilgrim – SP: 28/1, Trainer: David & Nicola Barron, Jockey: Joe Fanning
- 14. Glenfinnan – SP: 25/1, Trainer: Michael Dods, Jockey: David Nolan
- 15. Aleezdancer – SP: 40/1, Trainer: Kevin Ryan, Jockey: Sean Levey
- 16. American Affair – SP: 11/4F, Trainer: Jim Goldie, Jockey: Paul Mulrennan
- 17. Rohaan – SP: 9/1, Trainer: David Evans, Jockey: Tom Queally
- 18. Billyjoh – SP: 40/1, Trainer: Michael Appleby, Jockey: Alistair Rawlinson
- 19. Aramis Grey – SP: 28/1, Trainer: Rae Guest, Jockey: Callum Shepherd
- 20. Dare To Hope – SP: 28/1, Trainer: Richard Fahey, Jockey: Connor Murtagh
- 21. Jehangeer – SP: 28/1, Trainer: Kevin Ryan, Jockey: Shane Gray
- 22. King’s Lynn – SP: 14/1, Trainer: Andrew Balding, Jockey: William Carver
- 23. Sergeant Wilko – SP: 18/1, Trainer: Kevin Ryan, Jockey: Kevin Stott
- 24. Strike Red – SP: 12/1, Trainer: Richard Fahey, Jockey: Billy Garritty
- 25. Tinto – SP: 33/1, Trainer: Michael Dods, Jockey: Rhys Elliott
Non-Runners
All Ran