15:40 Ayr

Saturday 17 September 2022

All13:2013:5514:3015:0515:4016:1516:4517:20

Virgin Bet Ayr Gold Cup Handicap (Heritage Handicap)

Off time: 15:42 | Winning time: 1m 10.82s

(9)

Commanche Falls^p²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-12| J: Connor Beasley| T: M Dods| OR: 109| CD

10/1

Really game sort who landed Stewards' Cup at Goodwood for second year running before posting excellent second to Summerghand at York four weeks ago. Firmly in the picture off an unchanged mark.

Form: 0-20U12

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(19)

Sir Dancealot²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-8| J: P Mulrennan| T: J Butler| OR: 105| D

50/1

Very useful sprinter at his best but winless since 2019 and below par in 7f Goodwood handicaps on his last two outings. Needs a big step forward.

Form: 75/7290

(7)

Escobar^t³

Age: 8| Weight: 9-8| J: D Nolan| T: D O'Meara| OR: 105

18/1

Made a successful return at York in May and has largely run well since, third of 5 in 1m listed race at Sandown 3 days ago. Drops in trip but not ruled out with the likely strong pace sure to suit.

Form: 979233

(21)

Vadream^p²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: O J Orr| T: C Fellowes| OR: 105| D

14/1

Ascot Group 3 winner last autumn who got back on track in first-time cheekpieces when head second of 9 in 6f listed race at Newmarket 21 days ago. No forlorn hope on her handicap debut.

Form: 15-6002

(11)

Zarzyni^p³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Ryan Sexton⁽⁵⁾| T: T D Barron| OR: 104| D

28/1

Has improved further this year with cheekpieces fitted, winning 5f Musselburgh handicap and in the frame in Palace House Stakes and 5f Ascot handicap. Poorly drawn at York last time so he's much respected.

Form: 221430

(15)

Mr Wagyu^v⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: Jason Hart| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 104| CD

9/1

Admirable sprinter who has enjoyed another good season, winning at Epsom and the Curragh. Good third in this contest 12 months ago and not taken lightly again.

Form: 141053

(24)

Documenting¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 9-5| J: J Mitchell| T: K Frost| OR: 102

33/1

Got off the mark for 2022 in 7f handicap at Newbury in August and not disgraced off 3 lb higher mark when twelfth of 16 in 7f handicap at Ascot 14 days ago. Strong traveller who is one to consider.

Form: 093510

(12)

Summerghand^v²¹^{(ex 5)}

Age: 8| Weight: 9-5| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 97| D

12/1

Gained a deserved win in big-field 6f Yortk handicap in August and not disgraced upped to listed company when fifth at Newmarket three weeks ago. Ought to be competitive again under a 5 lb penalty.

Form: 659415

(16)

Volatile Analyst^h⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: Callum Rodriguez| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 101| CD

50/1

Dual 6f/7f winner early this year but he came in last of five in 7f Redcar handicap 42 days ago. This C&D scorer needs to bounce back.

Form: 181005

(23)

Popmaster¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: George Downing| T: E Walker| OR: 100| BF| D

12/1

Runner-up in the Wokingham at Royal Ascot in June and back on song when fourth there 14 days ago. Shortlisted in his bid for a first win of 2022.

Form: 902204

(17)

Bielsa^p⁴⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-2| J: K Stott| T: K A Ryan| OR: 99| CD

11/1

Operating below his best so far this season, never-nearer fifth in 6f Chester listed event in July, but he's now back on a mark just 1 lb higher than when posting a career best to win this 12 months ago. Firmly in the picture.

Form: 0-54735

(25)

Gulliver^p,t⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 9-1| J: Jason Watson| T: D O'Meara| OR: 98| D

14/1

It's now twenty runs since his last win in 2020 but he took a step back in the right direction when sixth of 20 in 6f handicap at the Curragh 6 days ago. Possibilities.

Form: 0-30076

(8)

Bergerac^b³¹^{(ex 5)}

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: T Eaves| T: K A Ryan| OR: 93| D

22/1

Has taken his form un a notch since the blinkers went on, bagging handicaps at Newmarket and York last month. Much respected in his hat-trick bid under a 5 lb penalty.

Form: 803211

(5)

Khanjar¹⁵^{(ex 5)}

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Jim Crowley| T: W J Haggas| OR: 95| BF| D

9/2

Much improved since sent handicapping, and he returned from a two-month lay-off to go 2-3 at Haydock (6f) 15 days ago. Has a fair bit more to offer and he's expected to be bang there under a 5 lb penatly.

Form: 471-131

(14)

Gis A Sub^p³¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Shane Gray| T: K A Ryan| OR: 99| D

28/1

Runner-up in the Gimcrack at York last summer. Gelded and posted much his best effort this term when ninth of 22 in handicap at York (5.4f) 31 days ago. No forlorn hope if building on that effort with cheekpieces retained.

Form: 26-3909

(3)

Fivethousandtoone^p²⁰^{(ex 5)}

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: G Lee| T: A M Balding| OR: 91| D

12/1

Capitalised on a reduced mark when ending a long losing run in 6f Goodwood handicap 20 days ago. Not entirely dismissed under a 5 lb penalty.

Form: 508241

(4)

Chiefofchiefs^v⁵⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 8-12| J: Rossa Ryan| T: C Fellowes| OR: 95| D

20/1

Winless since the 2020 Wokingham consolation but he often runs with credit in big-field handicaps. Not best drawn when 15th at Ascot (7f) last time and can't be ruled out.

Form: 56-3040

(22)

Motagally^b⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 8-11| J: D Swift| T: S Dixon| OR: 94| BF| D

18/1

Very good fourth in this event 12 months ago for Charlie Hills. Only twice raced for current yard but not discredited when fifth of 19 in Portland at Doncaster six days ago. Considered.

Form: 4445-05

(2)

Tinto²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 8-11| J: Mark Winn⁽⁷⁾| T: M Dods| OR: 94| D

20/1

Largely in excellent form for his current yard this term, scoring twice over 6f, and eighth of 17 to Summerghand at York four weeks ago. Not discounted with good 7 lb claimer now up.

Form: 611358

(13)

Lucky Man^p¹³^{(ex 5)}

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: P J McDonald| T: R Spencer| OR: 91| D

18/1

Has taken his form up another notch since the cheekpieces went on, recording his first turf win in 6f York handicap 13 days ago. Player once more under a 5 lb penalty.

Form: 632621

(10)

Admiral D⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: O McSweeney⁽⁵⁾| T: R A Fahey| OR: 95| BF| D

22/1

Dual winner at 2 yrs (on soft ground) in Ireland who has shaped with some promise this year, sixth of 10 in handicap at Doncaster (7f) 9 days ago. Can make his presence felt, especially if the ground eases.

Form: 962376

(6)

Pendleton^p²²

Age: 6| Weight: 8-9| J: Cam Hardie| T: M Dods| OR: 92| D

50/1

Isn't proving the easiest to catch right and he came in last of 11 in 6f handicap at Thirsk 22 days ago. Cheekpieces replace visor and now 12 runs without a victory.

Form: 4-03020

(18)

Juan Les Pins⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 8-9| J: A Mullen| T: M Appleby| OR: 92| D

28/1

Has continued his resurgence this summer for his current yard, readily completing a four-timer at Doncaster in August. Not discredited when 7th there six days ago and he can't be totally dismissed.

Form: 511117

(1)

Aleezdancer¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: Rowan Scott| T: K A Ryan| OR: 93| D

16/1

Benefited from the drop back in trip when landing 6f Ripon handicap in August before backing it up with good third to Lucky Man at York 13 days ago. Goes well with ease in the ground and needs considering.

Form: 537613

Non-Runners

(20)

Honey Sweet¹⁰

Weight: 8-12| Age: 3

T: K R Burke J: C Lee

Forecasts

Khanjar (9/2), Mr Wagyu (9/1), Commanche Falls (10/1), Bielsa (11/1), Summerghand (12/1), Fivethousandtoone (12/1), Popmaster (12/1), Gulliver (14/1), Vadream (14/1), Aleezdancer (16/1), Lucky Man (18/1), Escobar (18/1), Motagally (18/1), Chiefofchiefs (20/1), Tinto (20/1), Bergerac (22/1), Admiral D (22/1), Juan Les Pins (28/1), Zarzyni (28/1), Gis A Sub (28/1), Documenting (33/1), Honey Sweet (33/1), Sir Dancealot (50/1), Volatile Analyst (50/1), Pendleton (50/1)

William Haggas' low-mileage 3-y-o KHANJAR hasn't looked back since sent handicapping and with the likely strong pace sure to suit he can take another sizeable step forward and claim his most prestigious pize yet. Last year's winner Bielsa has yet to hit top form this term but is now weighted to go well so seems sure to have a say. Lucky Man impressed when scoring at York at the start of the month and is another who is firmly in the picture. Aleezdancer and Commanche Falls complete the shortlist.