Virgin Bet AYR GOLD CUP attracts 224 entries for this year’s race on Saturday September 21st.

A total of  224 horses have been entered for this year’s £180,000 Virgin Bet Ayr Gold Cup with numbers up 30 on last year’s figure of 194.

The Ayr Gold Cup is unique in the Racing Calendar due to the entries also covering the Silver Cup and Bronze Cup races which are run on the Saturday and Friday of the 3-day meeting which runs this year from 19-21 September.

Richard Hannon’s Witch Hunter is currently the highest-rated horse in the race on a BHA mark of 109 with Michael Dods’ Commanche Falls and Northern Express on 107 and 106, ahead of Kevin Ryan’s Room Service on 105.

Ryan has a remarkable FIVE Gold Cup wins to his name with the latest coming in 2021 thanks to Bielsa and the initial entries also include the last two Gold Cup winners in the shape of 2023 hero Significantly (Julie Camacho) and 2022 winner Summerghand (David O’Meara).

The weights for this year’s race will be published on Wednesday August 21.