Massive entry for Ayr Gold Cup

Next month`s Tote Ayr Gold Cup has attracted a record 180 entries revealed today, headed by Jim Goldie`s local hope Orientor.

Orientor, successful in the William Hill Trophy at York and Ascot`s Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Sprint this season, has been allotted 9st 12lb in the six-furlong handicap, which carries a total prize fund of Stg£100,000.

Goldie also has Gosforth Park Cup victor Indian Spark on 9st 6lb in Scotland`s most valuable Flat race.

Irish trainer Dermot Weld has entered Social Harmony (9st 11lb), who was beaten a length in a Group Three at Leopardstown earlier this month, and Lethal Agenda (9st 6lb), who beat the subsequent Irish 2000 Guineas victor Black Minnaloushe at the Curragh in April.

Linda Perratt, who trains across the road from Ayr racecourse, has 16 entries in the September 22nd contest, including the experienced pair Get Stuck In (8st 4lb) and Ho Leng (8st 3lb), plus Ptarmigan Ridge (7st 8lb), who landed an 18-runner handicap over five furlongs at Haydock earlier this month.

Thirsk-based David Nicholls, who was successful with Bahamian Pirate 12 months ago, has 14 entries this time.

His team includes Continent and Stewards` Cup third Undeterred, who have both been given 8st 6lb.

The lightly-raced Summerhill Parkes is unbeaten in two starts this season, most recently when taking the Listed Cecil Frail Stakes at Haydock in June, and has been allotted 9st 4lb.

There is a safety limit of 29 for the Tote Ayr Gold Cup and those who miss the cut for the big race are eligible to run in the Tote (Ayr) Silver Cup, which this year has moved to the Friday of the Western meeting.