Fahey fancied to tie bookies in knots
Knot In Wood has been installed as 10-1 favourite with the sponsors to give trainer Richard Fahey back-to-back victories in the totesport Ayr Gold Cup next month.
The Malton handler took the valuable six-furlong handicap with Fonthill Road last September and has eight entries this time.
Knot In Wood galloped his way to market leader when finishing a close third to Zidane in the Stewards’ Cup and will meet his Goodwood on 1lb better terms having been allotted 9st 3lb.
Zidane, trained by James Fanshawe, has been given 9st 6lb, and is 12-1 joint second-favourite along with Stewards’ Cup runner-up Borderlescott (9st 12lb).
Balthazaar’s Gift (16-1) has been given top weight of 10st.
Totesport spokesman Damian Walker said: “We just favour Knot In Wood in our betting and reckon he could turn the tables on Zidane.
“Surprisingly, Knot In Wood’s high draw in the Stewards’ Cup turned out to be a bad one and he did well to be beaten just over half a length in the circumstances.
“Balthazaar’s Gift heads the weights on 10st and, like Knot In Wood, was badly drawn at Goodwood and stayed on strongly to finish sixth.
“The live draw on September 20 could prove all-important, although there seemed to be no bias in last season’s race when Fonthill Road was successful from a single-figure draw the experts felt he couldn’t win from.”
Totesport Ayr Gold Cup betting:
Totesport: 10-1 Knot In Wood, 12-1 Borderlescott, Zidane, 14-1 Genki, Utmost Respect, 16-1 Balthazaar’s Gift, Fonthill Road, Golden Dixie, Indian Trail, Jimmy Styles, Kostar, Pearly Wey, Sundae, That’s Hot, 20-1 bar.
Ladbrokes: 10-1 Knot In Wood, 12-1 Utmost Respect, Zidane, 14-1 Borderlescott, 16-1 Balthazaar’s Gift, Buachaill Dona, Fonthill Road, Genki, Indian Trail, Jimmy Styles, Kostar, Pearly Wey, Sundae, 20-1 bar.
