Horse Power: Juan Les Pins set to strike in the Ayr Gold Cup

JUAN LES PINS can win the Virgin Bet Ayr Gold Cup Handicap (Heritage Handicap) (3.35pm) at Ayr on Saturday afternoon. While at Newbury Michael Bell’s RED ZONE HERO can take the Group Two Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes (3.15pm).

Mick Appleby’s six-year-old has run some fine races in top sprints this summer and can land a well-deserved success in the six-furlong feature at the Scottish track. Juan Les Pins won four times last summer and hinted at more when landing a six-furlong handicap at Nottingham in June. He was then third to Saint Lawrence, only beaten just over a length, in the Wokingham Handicap at Royal Ascot 10 days later. He was then 10th in testing conditions in the Stewards’ Cup at Glorious Goodwood. Those extreme conditions were probably against Juan Les Pins, although he seems fairly versatile on most going.

Stepped up to Listed company he was a good third to Lezoo at Newmarket last month and an even better second to Commanche Falls in the BetGoodwin Stakes at York earlier this month. He is running off a career-high mark, although being in such good form and seemingly enjoying this type of big-field sprint, he looks sure to be in the firing line again. From a decent-looking draw in stall 20 and with luck with the breaks, Juan Les Pins may be able to finally get his head in front in a prestigious handicap.

As always there are plenty of dangers including David O’Meara’s admirable veteran and last year’s winner Summerghand; the Michael Dods-trained Northern Express – stepping down in trip from seven furlongs; 2021 winner Bielsa, from the Kevin Ryan stable who always do well in these races and in the Ayr Gold Cup in particular; and Liverpool FC fan Karl Burke’s Lethal Levi.

Tim Easterby’s DANZAN won the Bronze