Ted's Weekend Wagers: A lucky seven from Newbury and Ayr

It's a big weekend of action, and Ed 'Longshot Ted' Quigley is back with his fancies for Saturday's ITV Racing, with the Ayr Gold Cup taking centre stage.

Ayr - 1.15 Theoryofeverything 9/1 e/w - William Hill

James Doyle has been booked for the ride on THEORYOFEVERYTHING for the David O'Meara team, and this five-year-old has to be respected as an each-way player. He didn't get the clearest of runs when trying to make a move from off the pace at Ascot last time out, but now he returns to Ayr, it can see a bold show from this son of Frankel.

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He is one from one at this venue, and that was when winning nicely over course and distance back in July, and is only 2lb higher here today. His CV demonstrates that he has a distinct liking for plenty of cut in the ground, so it is a case of the more rain the merrier for this individual who should then have ideal conditions to put his best foot forward.

Theoryofeverything gets the each-way nod from me.

Newbury - 1.30 Montassib 5/1 e/w - Betfred

If MONTASSIB is revved up off the back of nearly a year off the track, he could take plenty of beating. He has a 36-day absence to overcome, but is a Group 1 winner down in a Group 3, and could easily make that class tell in this company, and can stump his authority here.

The William Haggas team continue in fine fettle throughout September, and from that yard, you wouldn't tend to worry about lack of fitness on the back of a long absence. Cieren Fallon is in the plate, and this combination has a major chance of getting the job done.

Trip and ground should be fine, and Montassib looks a solid each-way player here.

Ayr - 1.50 Almeric 7/4 - Ladbrokes

After a lengthy absence, this looks a good opportunity for ALMERIC to make a winning return, and the three-year-old can land the odds here for the Andrew Balding team. The colt has had three starts, winning the last two, including the latest win, which was at Listed level.

Heading into that company once again, it is hard to envisage Balding not having him fired up at the first time of asking. Also, it is worth noting that he has lots of smart form with plenty of cut in the ground, so if the predicted Soft ground materialises, then that in itself shouldn't pose any problems.

Oisin Murphy takes the ride and I like their chances.

Newbury - 2.05 Dramatic Star 5/1 - Coral

DRAMATIC STAR just got pipped on the line by his progressive stablemate, The Reverend last time out, and can make amends here. This unexposed four-year-old ran a belter at Haydock, and a repeat of that effort will see him hard to beat here off just a 3lb nudge up in the weights.

The William Haggas team continue to fire in the winners, and this son of Sea The Stars should have a lot more to offer. Tom Marquand takes the ride, and I would be far from shocked if Dramatic Star ends up demonstrating that a mark of 92 is still lenient.

Trip and ground should be fine, and a big run is expected. 

Ayr - 3.00 Catching The Moon 15/2 e/w - Ladbrokes

Richard Fahey has each-way claims with CATCHING THE MOON. Providing she handles a slower surface, I think this step back up to 6f can really suit and she looks an exciting type for the yard.

She ran with plenty of credit when runner-up on debut, and then powered clear to bolt up at Beverley last time out - and the collateral form is working out well, with two winners coming out of that race since. The Richard Fahey team have won this race twice in the last five years, so they know what it takes to get one ready for this encounter.

Osin Orr will be in the saddle, and they look to have each-way claims in a wide-open encounter.

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Newbury - 3.15 Rock On Thunder 3/1 - William Hill

ROCK ON THUNDER sets a fair standard here, and is the one I like to land the Mill Reef. This striking individual, who cost just shy of £400k, won on debut in a minor event at Leicester, and has since acquitted themselves very well in top company.

The Kevin Ryan-trained representative was runner-up in the Gimcrack last time out and that is excellent form. A reproduction of that effort won't see him far away, and if taking a step forward from that run, he is entitled to go close once again here.

His pedigree suggests a bit of rain may not be the worst thing in the world, and he sets a standard for others to try and match.

Ayr - 3.35 Purosangue 15/2 e/w - Betway

It would probably be fair to say that PUROSANGUE has been a bit of an underachiever but is off a feasible mark and could easily get involved from an each-way point of view for the Andrew Balding and Oisin Murphy combination.

He has a good body of work when you look back through his CV, and off a mark of 98, he is looking undeniably well treated. It is also worth keeping your eye on the weather - there is plenty of rain forecast at the track, and if it does materialise, that won't make life difficult for him, as he is a proven performer on a slow surface.

A strongly run 6f with juice in the ground could be exactly what is required, and with the cheekpieces applied for the first time, a bold show can be expected.

Ted's ITV Racing Selections

Ayr - 1.15 Theory of Everything (9/1 e/w William Hill)

Newbury - 1.30 Montassib (5/1 e/w Betfred)

Ayr - 1.50 Almeric (7/4 Ladbrokes)

Newbury - 2.05 Dramatic Star (5/1 Coral)

Ayr - 3.00 Catching The Moon (15/2 e/w Ladbrokes)

Newbury - 3.15 Rock On Thunder (3/1 William Hill)

Ayr - 3.35 Purosangue (15/2 e/w Betway)

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Odds correct at the time of writing.