Horse racing judge extraordinaire Dave Massey is back with his latest batch of weekend racing tips, previewing Ayr Gold Cup Day and his best bet from a busy couple of days at Newbury. Read his exclusive thoughts in his latest kwiff column.

Weekend Racing Tips: Ayr Gold Cup Day 2025

I’ll take a couple against the field for each of the two big sprint handicaps at Ayr on Saturday, starting with the Silver. Francisco’s Piece had a busy and successful campaign at two, one that saw him both win and be placed at Listed level, and that, like so many that have good season’s at two meant he probably started this season off on too high a mark.

It would be easy to write him off on what  he has achieved this season but to my eyes he hasn’t run badly at all, midfield behind Elmonjed at York when perhaps not best drawn, fifth to Prince Of India on Shergar Cup Day at Ascot, again possibly not helped by a high draw, and then off the back of a short break, another midfield finish at The Curragh last weekend, the first-time visor seemingly neither helping nor hindering. 

Weekend Racing Tips: Gweedoe (Ayr, 2.25)

The pick of his form last year came with some cut in the ground, and with the meeting starting on good to soft, soft in places, with bits and pieces of rain to come it’s unlikely to change a lot, and that will suit Francisco’s Piece. Last week’s spin at the Curragh should have him match fit for this, and he’s come down 5lb since the start of the year. 

The other that I simply have to have onside here is Gweedore, better known for his exploits over 7f and a mile but who turned in one of his best ever efforts when a ¾ length third to Significantly in the Ayr Gold Cup two years ago, rallying gamely when headed and going down fighting.

It’s remarkable to think that, only just six runs later, he’s 8lb lower than that today, as the handicapper rarely drops them that quickly, but two solid efforts in the spring still showed the engine was there, and he looks to have been saved with this in mind. He hasn’t been seen since April, but has twice won after a break, and with his overall Ayr record of five wins from 12 starts at the track, there’s a lot to like about his chances in the consolation race this year. 

Weekend Racing Tips: Jordan Electrics (Ayr, 3:35)

Probably the last roll of the dice for Jordan Electrics today, as he’s been disappointing a couple of times when I’ve been with him but perhaps there were valid excuses for those below-par runs, and anyway, the one in between them at York was one in which he looked pretty much back to his near best, tanking along on the front and only giving best late on, beaten a length.

I thought the Portland last week might be his race, given the record of trainer Jim Goldie over the past couple of years, but instead it was the other Goldie inmate, Eternal Sunshine, that did the business. Lauren Young now looks for a big-race sprint double, taking over on Jordan Electrics today, and he’ll surely be wound up for a day in which his owners sponsor a race later on the card. 

Jubilee Walk looks a big price for one that’s well in at the weights today, the handicapper would have given him another 3lb to shoulder if he could, and he hasn’t done much wrong all season; in the frame at Chester before narrowly being touched off by Elmonjed at York and last time out, running the improving Brosay to a length at Ascot. He wouldn’t want the ground desperate but other than that, there’s no reason he won’t run his race again, and has a big each-way chance here. 

Weekend Racing Tips: Mustazee (Newbury, 2.40)

Mustazeed won this from just a pound higher last year and gets a mention here as he still looked like he was in need of the run at Doncaster last week. A slow start there blew his chance anyway, but you’d think Newbury, given how well he runs this track, would be the target anyway and I’d not be at all surprised to see him bounce back. There’s plenty of juice in the ground at Newbury at present and he could do with it staying that way, as for all he’s just as happy on faster ground he does seem to come alive at Newbury when there’s plenty of cut about. 

 By Dave Massey

Please note that the information provided in this Weekend Racing Tips article is for entertainment purposes only. We do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information provided. Any action you take upon the information on this article is strictly at your own risk, and we will not be liable for any losses and damages in connection with the use of our article. We do not encourage gambling and remind you to gamble responsibly.

18+ | BeGambleAware.org

Supercharge your bets with kwiff