Byron heads Ayr Gold Cup weights Gordon Lord Byron heads the weights on 9st 12lb for the William Hill Ayr Gold Cup on September 22nd. Tom Hogan's four-year-old staked his claim for the six-furlong heritage handicap with victory in the Listed City of York Stakes on the Knavesmire on Saturday. There is a massive entry of 208 that includes last year's winner Our Jonathan (9st 6lb), who has been handed the same weight as he carried to victory in 2011. Kevin Ryan's charge was last seen finishing unplaced in the Great St Wilfrid Handicap at Ripon, which was won by Pepper Lane for the second successive season. David O'Meara's mare has also been allotted 9st 6lb. Our Jonathan is one of four past winners given an entry along with Jimmy Styles (9st 4lb), hero of this race in 2009, the 2008 scorer Regal Parade (9st) and Advanced (8st 4lb), successful in 2007. Stewards' Cup hero Hawkeyethenoo (9st 8lb) could try to complete a notable sprint handicap double. Jim Goldie's stable star denied Imperial Guest (9st 2lb) by a nose at Glorious Goodwood. Mark Johnston has two leading contenders near the top of the handicap in Van Ellis and Fulbright. Both have been allotted 9st 6lb. However, Sir Michael Stoute's Duke of Firenze (8st 5lb) and Ron Harris's Prodigality (8st 4lb), who are both prominent in the ante-post market, could struggle to get into the maximum 27-strong field. For those missing the cut for the Gold Cup, there are two consolation races, the Silver and Bronze Cups.
