Gordon Brown – Race Reporter
Gordon has a wealth of experience of racing through his background in the written and broadcast media. His current principle role is reporting and supporting the scene in Scotland on Racing TV and relaying the latest news with Scottish angles.
BIELSA gave trainer Kevin Ryan a fifth win in the £150,000 Virgin Bet Ayr Gold Cup in front of an excited 12,000 crowd.
Racing alone from stall 25 under the stands’ rails, the 15/2 chance saw off Great Ambassdor, who came from stall one across on the far side, by two and a quarter lengths.
Hambleton-based Ryan said: “This has always been a very special race and we always have plenty of runners over three-day meeting. To win the Ayr Gold Cup five times is just amazing and we will certainly enjoy it.
“These days you need a class horse to win it and this is a class horse. We targeted Ayr after he ran at Goodwood and the plan has paid off.”
Bielsa is named after Leed United manager Marcelo Bielsa and Ryan is a fervent fan of the Elland Road Premier League club.
The horse was ridden by Kevin Stott, who was gaining his first win in Scotland’s big sprint, and he added: “I’ve always wanted to win the Ayr Gold Cup. I’ve had a few rides in it but never even gone close until now.
“We had a plan to come up the stands’ side it has worked to perfection. He is a very uncomplicated horse and he has deserved to win a big race.”