Hugo Palmer cool on Ayr raid with Gold Cup top weight Gifted Master

Hugo Palmer is unlikely to ask Gifted Master to carry the welter weight of 10st in the William Hill Ayr Gold Cup on Saturday.

The prospect of soft ground is swaying Palmer away from sending the four-year-old gelding to Scotland for the valuable and prestigious six-furlong handicap.

Gifted Master would have to shoulder the welter burden thanks to a 5lb penalty for victory in the Listed Hopeful Stakes at Newmarket on his latest start.

"I doubt he'll go," said Palmer.

"It would have been more tempting if the forecast had not changed, but I think top weight on soft ground would be a lot to ask of him."

The likelihood of easy conditions has resulted in plenty of interest in Donjuan Triumphant at odds or around 14-1.