Saturday Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

The Brian Meehan trained HUNKPAPA (best priced at 4/1) finished a close 2nd on Monday when fitted with first time blinkers and a repeat of that effort off the same mark should see him go close. The son of Sioux Nation had previously disappointed in the Racing League when running over 5f but he finished only ½ length behind Bonnsie at Kempton earlier this week over a mile. 

Hunkpapa raced keenly over the mile trip before weakening late on at the finish so this drop in trip to 7f should suit him well. Having only been beaten ½ length off this mark and this drop in trip looking likely to suit, he should prove hard to beat in this race. 

EMPEROR SPIRIT (best priced at 9/1) has been in good form this season since joining the Archie Watson stable and he looks sure to run well from 6lbs “well in” at the weights. The four-year-old won on his stable debut this season at Chelmsford before placing at both Ripon and Ascot on his next two starts. He slightly disappointed on his next two starts but bounced back to form in first time cheekpieces at Ffos Las last time.

Emperor Spirit finished only a head behind Tanmawwy at Ffos Las but the pair pulled four lengths clear of the 3rd that day so it looks strong form. The handicapper has raised Emperor Spirit 6lbs for that effort but he gets to run here off his previous mark of 90 meaning that he is 6lbs “well in” at the weights. Bookmakers are offering up to six and seven places on the Silver Cup and I expect him to run well from Stall 1.

With antepost 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, but 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 into this race having finished 2nd at York off a mark of 105 in August, 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 with up to six and seven places available.