Totesport Silver Cup Tips (today!)

Burning Incense will be all the rage for the totesport Silver Cup at Ayr on Friday after narrowly failing to make the cut for Saturday's Gold Cup, and Roger Charlton's charge is a best-priced 6/1 at the time of writing. However, considering that he's a comparatively inexperienced three-year-old, it's a big ask for him to lump 9st 10lb to victory in this competitive race, and at more than double his price River Falcon, a 14/1 chance with Ladbrokes, makes plenty of appeal. The Jim Goldie-trained gelding has been campaigned pretty intensively over the past few seasons but, intriguingly, has been given a light campaign so far this term in order to keep him fresh for a tilt at this valuable prize. The six-year-old had some pretty good sprinters behind when chasing home subsequent Group 2 scorer Welsh Emperor in a conditions race at Thirsk on his reappearance in April, and caught the eye when returning from a four-month break to finish fifth of 17 behind Knot In Wood at York last time. The selection picked up in good style when asked for his effort over a furlong out in that race on the Knavesmire but he couldn't muster the required finishing kick to reel in the principals. However, it was to be expected that River Falcon would need that run following his break. He will be much sharper this time and, with conditions absolutely perfect, the son of Pivotal can strike. The winner of the aforementioned York race, Knot In Wood, will also relish the conditions, but he faces a stiff task meeting River Falcon 5lb worse terms. His stablemate Wyatt Earp, the choice of stable jockey Paul Hanagan, has proved to be better than ever this season and merits respect. But while he has won on an easy surface in the past, his best form has been achieved on top of the ground and he could be vulnerable against soft-ground specialists like River Falcon. Rising Shadow, who was fourth in the race at York won by Knot In Wood, is another that will relish the cut in the ground. On his very best form, David Barron's charge would come firmly into the reckoning, but his winning turns are few and far between, and chances are he'll find at least one or two too good. Verdict - 1pt River Falcon @ 14/1 (Ladbrokes)