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Ayr hero Ramius set to retire

3 minute read

Captain Ramius, winner of the 2012 William Hill Ayr Gold Cup, will be retired regardless of whether he runs in this year's renewal on Saturday.

Kevin Ryan's classy eight-year-old needs rain in order to turn up this weekend, but with none forecast the likelihood is that he has run his last race.

He is one of a handful of possibles for Ryan, who has won the race three times since 2007.

"Hamza will definitely run and Pat Smullen rides," said Ryan.

"Blaine will run and Amy (Ryan) will keep the ride on him - he's on the up.

"York Glory is a possible. He ran poorly at Doncaster last week when I thought I had him back to something like his best but nothing has come to light.

"Declan McDonogh will ride him if Captain Ramius doesn't run, which is doubtful now because of the ground and that's a shame as it was going to be his swansong.

"He's been a very good horse and if there's a downpour he could still run, but the main thing is that he retires sound."

David O'Meara remains undecided over whether to let last weekend's Curragh winner Watchable make a quick reappearance.

The four-year-old won the "Bold Lad" Sprint Handicap by a head on what was just his seventh career start, with the victory propelling him to the head of the market for the Scottish feature.

"I haven't decided whether Watchable runs yet," O'Meara said.

"He's come back from Ireland fine, and he seems well in himself.

"He's only really had this season as a racehorse, though, and he's already done quite a bit.

"He's going to be a very good horse.

"We'll decide nearer the time."

The sponsor reports healthy support for last year's winner Highland Colori who is now 16-1 from 20s, while Telmeyd for trainer William Haggas and Jim Goldie's stalwart Hawkeyethenoo have also been nibbled at by punters.

"Patriotic punters are backing Hawkeyethenoo, while there's plenty of interest at this early stage for last year's winner Highland Colori," said William Hill spokesman Jon Ivan-Duke.


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