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This Saturday, Scotland hosts one of the biggest flat racing betting races of the season in the shape of the Virgin Bet Ayr Gold Cup and Silver Cup. Extremely competitive and exciting to watch, we offer best bets, tips, and ideas for an each way double in these two cavalry charge handicaps!
We assess four selections from each race and give an overall verdict to form the each way double. Best odds from our partner firms Bet365, William Hill, Bet Victor, Betfred and Boylesports.
The Virgin Bet Ayr Gold Cup
This mammoth cavalry charge sprint handicap is a betting feast! We have singled out five horses with noteworthy chances.
Khanjar
William Haggas can seem to do little wrong this season and this is especially so in the handicap division. His entry Khajar ran a great race in The Bet Boost At bet365 Handicap, a valuable handicap at Newmarket back in July and looked very secure when easily landing a handicap over the 6f distance at Haydock earlier this month. 
This is another big ask in such a large field, but he is the form horse in the race. However, the odds are not enticing at 5/1 (William Hill).
Summerghand
This David O’Meara experienced 8-year-old ran creditably last year in the same race, finishing 8th, 6 lengths behind winner Bielsa. Put up a career best when beating Commanche Falls in a valuable handicap at York last month. He looks well handicapped based on that performance and is carrying 5ibs less compared to his mark in last year’s Ayr Gold Cup. He is our selection and looks substantial value at 12/1 (William Hill).
Fivethousandandtoone
Andrew Balding has a noticeable record in this race, having saddled two winners in the last ten years. His entry this year is Fivethousandandtoone, a 4-year-old who seems to be coming into himself in this latter stage of the season. 
He ran well latest in a Goodwood handicap, finishing first after a slow start and kept on well. Looks well handicapped and very unexposed at 16/1 (William Hill)
Bergerac
Trainer Kevin Ryan has a good strike rate in recent weeks, registering four wins. He has a good chance in this renewal with the improving Bergerac, a four year who won a valuable handicap at York latest and looks sure to come on for that. Well handicapped as well, exceptionally good each way value at 20/1 (William Hill).
Volatile Analyst
This Keith Dalgleish trained 5-year-old appears to be the best value outsider bet. He has struggled in his last two outings but could be an enticing each way proposition if he can run to the form of his win in a listed race at Doncaster going back to March this year. 25/1 with Bet365.
Verdict
Khanjar is a worthy favourite and has to be the main danger but offers no value at 5/1. Summerghand has some useful form and appears to be well handicapped on his best form. He is our selection at 12/1 with William Hill.
The Virgin Bet Ayr Silver Cup, 1430 Ayr
The first leg of the Saturday double features those horses who just missed the handicap mark for the Gold Cup renewal. 
We take a general look at the race and offer our verdict.
Snash
Trainer Tim Easterby has an excellent recent record in this race, having saddled two of the last three winners. His entry Snash has consistent form and a course and distance win to his name from July this year. Should be there or thereabouts at 8/1 (William Hill, Boylesports) but better value elsewhere.
Vintage Clarets
This Richard Fahey 3-year-old could be anything and looks very unexposed. Ran surprisingly well to win convincingly in a handicap at Windsor for his first run as a three-year-old two weeks back. He comes here as an interesting each way proposition at 14/1 with Bet365.
Emperor Spirit
Should have won his last handicap at Ffos Las but kept swerving left, although kept on well for second. This Archie Watson 4-year-old is currently 16/1 best (William Hill, Bet365, Boylesports)
Verdict
The Silver Cup at Ayr is usually a contest with those who fail to make the mark for the more prestigious Gold Cup, therefore, high numbers usually attract the money. However, some of the unexposed younger horses down the handicap make much more appeal so our selection goes to the Richard Fahey trained Vintage Clarets at 14/1 with Bet365.
Please note all odds are correct at the time of publishing (7pm 15th September 2022) and are subject to change.
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