2010 AYR GOLD CUP DAY BETTING TIPS AND SELECTIONS

We've got a very tough battle for the favourites spot in the Ayr Gold Cup, which kicks off tomorrow at 3:20 at its namesake racecourse. This is a tough 6 furlongs and, to compound that, we've got 27 different contenders set to contest this one. It goes without saying that being able to manouver through traffic is going to pay serious dividends. 
Hawkeyethenoo (Hawk Wing) is pretty much deadlocked with the talented Poet's Place (Mutakaddim) in various polls predicting the likely winner. Hawkeyethenoo certainly has a bit more experience, though his strike-rate doesn't quite measure up. He is a veteran handicapper and should be there-or-thereabouts. He boasts odds of around 8/1 with most major bookmakers but is trading at 9/1 at William Hill at the time of this writing.
Poet's Place will be looking for his third score on the bounce here with victories at Doncaster and Haydock in his past two tries and it should be noted that these are both quite comfortable victories, he looks to have another gear so he will be a real threat with a clean trip. You can back him at 8/1 with most major bookmakers.  
Victoire De Lyphar (Bertolini) is lightly-raced this year and that's a vote in his favour as he's been in great nick in all three attempts this year finishing 112 with the last one being a close second-place finish in a sprint handicap at Goodwood. He is proven at the distance and, being only three, has more potential than others here to build on his previous performances. He is less accomplished than some of his competition today but those looking to back an improver will do well with this three year-old gelding. He is the betting favourite at 7/1. 
Jonny Mudball (Oasis Dream) is running 2212 in his last four, winning the only time he was sent off as the favourite. He has forged a decent partnership with Seb Sanders and the Dascombe-trained colt will likely try to get to the front early on and try to pull a wire-to=wire victory. Got absolutely spanked by Hawkeyethenoo back in early May, though a victory over Poet's Place two races back shows that he can match the favoured runners here stride for stride. Will likely either finish top two or dead last. He's priced around 9/1
It's advisable to keep your eye on Genki (Shinko Forest) as he steps down in class from a very solid third place finish in the Group 1 Betfred Sprint Cup two weeks back. This is a Group 1-placed six year-old facing off against a gaggle of contenders who have more or less peaked on the Heritage Handicap circuit. That's important to consider here, but he does look inconsistent- a true all-or-nothing sort, this one. 8/1. 
Evens and Odds (Johannesburg) is worth considering based on a solid score last time out, but it was only his fourth career victory so you reckon he is one for the place-only today, though he does look to be improving. 16/1. 
PREDICTION:
1. Victoire De Lyphar
2. Genki
3. Evens and Odds
4. Poet's Place