6f Virgin Bet Ayr Gold Cup Handicap (Heritage Handicap) (Class 2) (3yo+)
We have seen back-to-back winners of the Wokingham and the Stewards’ Cup this season, Bielsa bids to follow suit here having won off 1lb lower. Favourite Khanjar has to be feared, but he remains very inexperienced and these handicaps can catch those sorts of short priced favs out.
VADREAM is our first pick, racing for Charlie Fellowes and this filly has a touch of class. The four-year-old by Brazen Beau finally got her act together last time out in a Listed race with first-time cheekpieces applied at Newmaret and that looks decent form. Her bounce back to form follows a win a Group 3 and a fifth place finish in the Champions Sprint, both races coming at Ascot last Autumn, where she has done her best work on a stiff track.
Vadream generally runs better with a little bit of juice in the ground, and so the good ground plus her first start in a handicap could see her run well with the benefit of a strong pace. A stall of 21 looks like it could suit her hold up style nicely against a rail, and she remains with potential to do better in her career.
We are also backing LUCKY MAN who has run two consecutive PBs with his first turf success coming in his last start at York. Lucky Man has progressed nicely on his three-year-old performances including finishing second in the Sky Bet Dash when just behind the smart-looking Gale Force Maya.
Lucky Man also finished close to a subsequent Group 1 Prix Maurice De Gheest runner in Harry Three earlier in the season and the manner of his performances gives you the impression that he may still have something in hand on the handicapper.
The conditions should be in his favour and he can progress again here from a middle draw where there is plenty of pace around him.
1pt win Vadream 16/1, 1pt win Lucky Man @20/1 15:40 Ayr, Saturday
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