Firenze has ran cracking races in defeat the last twice in the Wokingham and Stewards' Cup, and the James Fanshawe-trained mare can gain a deserved big-race victory in the totesport Ayr Gold Cup on September 16, for which she is 10/1 with Betfred.
The daughter of Efisio found herself outpaced in the early stages of both of those big races, at Royal Ascot and Glorious Goodwood respectively, something which can safely be attributed to the lightning fast ground that she encountered at both meetings.
It was truly remarkable how much ground the five-year-old made up in the Stewards' Cup, as she appeared to be scraping paint at the two furlong marker but all of a sudden sprouted wings and flew home to finish third of the 27 runners, beaten just half-a-length at the line behind Borderlescott.
Firenze, who is a sister to 2004 July Cup heroine Frizzante, will have every chance of reversing the placings with Borderlescott in the Gold Cup on 2lb better terms, and will be hard to contain when coming with her charging late run on going which will be far more suitable than she had to contend with in the aforementioned races.
Borderlescott is a credit to his connections. The four-year-old is as tough and versatile as they come, and at 13,000gn I doubt there has been many better equine bargains. Robin Bastiman's charge has now won seven of his last 13 races and he will prove a tough nut to crack, but may have to give best to Firenze this time.
Excusez Moi, who was also a hard luck story in the Stewards' Cup and duly gained compensation when readily landing the Great St Wilfrid Handicap at Ripon subsequently. He has been raised 5lb for that, which seems fair. He is due to run in the Betfred Sprint Cup before this race and if he wins that Group 1 he'll obviously be chucked in here under a 6lb penalty.
However, win, lose or draw in that Haydock sprint, he'll have had a tough race, that's for sure. As such, there must be a doubt as to whether he'll be able to reproduce his very best just two weeks hence in a cavalry charge like the Ayr Gold Cup, whereas the likes of Firenze and Borderlescott have been trained specifically for this since Goodwood, therefore will be much fresher on the day.
The softer the going the better for Appalachian Trail, who dropped back to six furlongs with aplomb when landing a Listed race at Newmarket recently. He is clearly at the top of his game and commands respect, but this will be much, much tougher as, with all due respect, that was pretty weak as far as Listed races go.
Hogmaneigh would be a fitting winner on Scottish soil for obvious reasons. Stuart Williams' appreciates cut in the ground and threw his hat into the ring for this valuable prize when producing a blistering turn of foot to mow down Gimasha in a well-contested heat at Sandown last time.
He has yet to prove himself in the hustle and bustle of a race of this nature, but connections may opt to run him in the Portland Handicap en route, which will give him some much-needed experience. It will be a big ask for one with so few miles on the clock, but he has to be taken seriously all the same, as he is clearly on an upward curve.
There are a number of others that come firmly into the reckoning, but I am convinced that we have yet to see the best of Firenze and that, like her sister, she will go onto prove herself a Group-class performer before long. so despite the competitive nature of this race she gets a confident vote.
Verdict - 1pt Firenze @ 10/1 (Betfred)
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