Jim Goldie braced to lose Fallon for Ayr Gold Cup

Jim Goldie is on the lookout for a new rider for Hawkeyethenoo in the William Hill Ayr Gold Cup on Saturday as Kieren Fallon is set to be switched by Luca Cumani to Newbury.

Renfrewshire trainer Goldie had hoped to have the six-time champion on his side in his bid to be the first Scottish trainer to land the big sprint handicap since Nigel Angus struck with Roman Warrior back in 1975. But it seems Fallon is going to be claimed by Cumani at the Berkshire track. "I don't know if Kieren is going to be riding him. I think he's going to be switched to Newbury unfortunately," said Goldie. "On Monday it looked as if he was going to ride at Ayr - Mr Cumani had him jocked up on two - but now he is thinking of sending him to Newbury instead. I thought I had him, now I haven't. I have several irons in the fire for a replacement but they are in a similar position with commitments here and there. We will just have to wait and see."

Goldie believes Hawkeyethenoo is the horse that could end his dismal record in the Ayr Gold Cup and has saved the progressive four-year-old sprinter for the weekend since his win at York in July. "I'll be trying to win it. This is my best chance for a long while. I haven't troubled the judge at all. I think fifth is the best I've done, so I'm pretty hopeful this time," he went on.

"He'll have a good chance and it should be good ground on Saturday."

Steve Drowne hopes the ground will also be suitable for the Roger Charlton-trained Genki, who laid down his claim by finishing third to Markab in the Group 1 Betfred Sprint Cup at Haydock. "Hopefully the ground will be okay for him and if he repeats his Haydock run they have got him to beat," said Drowne.