Punters On The Winning Trail?

Sponsors Totesport have reported a significant amount of support for the Ian Semple-trained Appalachian Trail ahead of the Ayr Gold Cup on Saturday.

Semple's charge was a 33-1 chance when betting opened on August 24, but he has won in Listed company since and his odds have been slashed to just 10-1.

Spokesman Damian Walker said: 'With no Dandy Nicholls runners for the home team to worry about this year's race looks wide open and punters are backing Appalachian Trail to be the first Scottish-trained winner for 31 years.

'Appalachian Trail is easily our worst ante-post loser and takes out more than double that of any other horse.

'He's won on both good to firm and soft ground and is unexposed over six furlongs having been successful on his first try over that trip in Listed company last time.'

Clive Brittain is hoping Excusez Moi can land his second big sprint prize of the season when he travels to the Scottish venue at the weekend.

Brittain's four-year-old won the valuable Great St Wilfrid Handicap at Ripon last month and was not disgraced when finishing sixth in the Group One Betfred Sprint Cup at Haydock on his last start.

With the ground currently described as good, good to soft in places, Brittain believes his charge will be far more at home than he was in the testing conditions at the Merseyside venue.

Brittain is also hoping that Quito, who won the race in 2003, takes his chance as David Chapman's charge has been allotted top-weight of 9st 12lb which would see Excusez Moi racing off 9st 4lb.

'He ran a blinder at Haydock in the Sprint Cup but with the ground as it was he just couldn't get his feet out. It was just too soft for him,' said the Newmarket handler.

'At the moment the horse is in very good fettle and I'm looking forward to a good run.

'If the ground stays as it is that would be perfect and then all we'd have to worry about would be the draw!

'It would be handy for us if Quito ran to keep the weights down and keep them all together and I think he'd have a really good chance.

'I'm hoping to get Kerrin (McEvoy) to ride him again but I just need to get it confirmed.'

The all-important draw will take place on Thursday at 11.00am in the Paddock Marquee, with Olympic gold medalist Allan Wells given the task of deciding the fate of the 28 runners. Ayr-based trainer Linda Perratt will also be taking part.

A final field of 28 will go to post for the showpiece event, with those balloted out eligible for the Silver Cup the previous day.

(C) PA Sport