Virgin Bet Ayr Gold Cup
Heritage Handicap, Ayr 15:35
£180,000 added,
3yo plus,
6f, Class 2   
Saturday 21st September 2024

1 Lethal Levi 20/1
2 Silky Wilkie 66/1
3 Korker 40/1
4 Aramis Grey 28/1
5 Jordan Electrics 16/1
25 ran Distances: 3l, shd, ¾l
Time: 1m 7.75s (fast by 1.35s)

Lethal Levi spearheaded a remarkable one-two-three finish for trainer Karl Burke.

The five-year-old, who has been consistently impressive all season, was sent off at 20-1 under Clifford Lee after a victory over seven furlongs at Newbury pushed his weight up by another 4lb. Despite what was initially seen as a disadvantageous draw in stall 20, he adopted his usual front-running tactics.

Challenged for the lead by stablemate Silkie Wilkie, the pair dominated the race from early on. With half a furlong remaining, Lethal Levi’s stamina shone through as he pulled away to win by three lengths. Silkie Wilkie narrowly held off another stablemate, Korker, by a short head for second place, while Aramis Grey finished fourth, just behind the Burke trio.

The heavily backed 11-4 favourite, American Affair, encountered significant traffic issues and finished unplaced. This victory marks Burke’s third Ayr Gold Cup win, having previously triumphed with Daring Destiny in 1994 and Always Alight in 1998.

Clifford Lee expressed his delight to ITV Racing, saying, “I was thrilled when he won at Newbury last time because his fractions over seven were excellent, so I knew he’d stay well. I went pretty quick but always felt I had a lot of horse underneath me. It’s fantastic riding for Mr. Burke; he puts me on some very nice horses, and this horse has won some very nice races. I’m delighted, this is my first Gold Cup, and I hope there are many more to come.”

Boylesports

Virgin Bet Ayr Gold Cup
£180,000 guaranteed, 3yo plus, 6f, Class 2
25 ran
Going: Good to Firm

POS. (DRAW) DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1 (20)    Lethal Levi 5 9-7 K R Burke Clifford Lee 20/1
2 (19) 3 Silky Wilkie 5 9-4 K R Burke Sam Feilden 66/1
3 (24) shd Korker 5 9-9 K R Burke Jason Hart 40/1
4 (13) ¾ Aramis Grey 7 9-0 Rae Guest Callum Shepherd 28/1
5 (17) hd Jordan Electrics 8 9-6 Jim Goldie Daniel Tudhope 16/1
6 (12) shd Commanche Falls 7 9-12 Michael Dods Connor Beasley 25/1
7 (15) shd Mostabshir 4 9-5 John & Thady Gosden Jim Crowley 11/1
8 (23) nse Northern Express 6 9-11 Michael Dods David Egan 50/1
9 (21) hd Dare To Hope 4 8-13 Richard Fahey Connor Murtagh 28/1
10 (6) hd Strike Red 6 8-12 Richard Fahey Billy Garritty 12/1
11 (22) nk Room Service 3 9-8 Kevin Ryan Tom Eaves 14/1
12 (18) hd Billyjoh 4 9-1 Michael Appleby Alistair Rawlinson 40/1
13 (14) nk Ramazan 4 9-11 Richard Fahey Oisin McSweeney 14/1
14 (1) ¾ King's Lynn 7 8-13 Andrew Balding William Carver 14/1
15 (16) nk Coachello 6 9-4 Mark Loughnane Callum Rodriguez 80/1
16 (4) hd American Affair 4 9-2 5ex Jim Goldie Paul Mulrennan 11/4F
17 (25) 1 Pilgrim 3 9-3 David & Nicola Barron Joe Fanning 28/1
18 (5) ½ Tinto 8 8-12 5ex Michael Dods Rhys Elliott 33/1
19 (8) nk Rohaan 6 9-1 David Evans Tom Queally 9/1
20 (7) ½ Aleezdancer 5 9-2 Kevin Ryan Sean Levey 40/1
21 (10) nk Fivethousandtoone 6 9-4 Andrew Balding P J McDonald 40/1
22 (9) nse Sergeant Wilko 3 8-13 5ex Kevin Ryan Kevin Stott 18/1
23 (2) 1½ Jehangeer 3 8-13 Kevin Ryan Shane Gray 28/1
24 (3) ½ Orazio 5 9-8 Charles Hills Billy Loughnane 15/2
25 (11) nse Glenfinnan 4 9-3 5ex Michael Dods David Nolan 25/1