Ayr Gold Cup 2022

In the absence of Flying Five second place Erosandpsyche, Khanjar (best price 9/2) has assumed strong favouritism for the Ayr Gold Cup 2022. 

However, he will still be up against last year’s winner Bielsa (10/1) and Commanche Falls (best price 12/1), who will attempt to become the first horse in 26 years to win both the Stewards' Cup at Goodwood and Ayr Gold Cup in the same season – a double last achieved by Coastal Bluff in 1996.

Commanche Falls, the five-year-old trained by Michael Dods, finished second of 17 behind only Summerghand (now into 10/1 for Saturday’s race) in his latest start - a 6f heritage handicap at York's Ebor Festival. So, where does Steve Ryder think the betting value lies?

 

Ayr Gold Cup 2022 Tips from Steve Ryder

With ante-post favourite Erosandpsyche not declared for the Ayr Gold Cup this year, the William Haggas trained Khanjar has shortened in market for this 25-runner handicap. He has to carry a 5lb penalty for his latest success at Haydock though and I feel like he could prove vulnerable as a result. 

Towards the top of the market, I do like the chances of last year’s winner Bielsa, who races off only a 1lb higher mark than his 2 ¼ length success last year, and Commanche Falls, who won the Stewards’ Cup at Goodwood before finishing a close 2nd to the reopposing Summerghand at York last time.

However, at a much bigger price I am willing to take a chance on ESCOBAR (best priced at 40/1) who drops back into handicap company following good runs in better races on his previous two starts. 

The David O’Meara trained eight-year-old has been running consistently well this season and arrives at this race having finished 2nd at York in August off a mark of 105, 3rd in the Group 2 Celebration Mile at Goodwood and 3rd in the listed Fortune Stakes at Sandown on Wednesday.

Escobar has an official rating of 109 but gets to run in this race off a mark of 105 so he is 4lbs “well in” at the weights and I am hoping he can outrun his odds on his first visit to Ayr.