Commanche Falls bids for first Stewards' Cup-Ayr Gold Cup double in 26 years

Commanche Falls will bid for yet more glory on Saturday (3.40) after trainer Michael Dods confirmed the dual Stewards' Cup hero will take his place in Scotland's richest Flat race.

The five-year-old became the first back-to-back winner of the Stewards' Cup in 54 years when victorious at Glorious Goodwood before finishing runner-up in a 6f heritage handicap at York's Ebor festival on his latest start.

Commanche Falls will attempt to become the first horse in 26 years to win both the Stewards' Cup and Virgin Bet Ayr Gold Cup in the same season – a double last achieved by Coastal Bluff in 1996.

He featured among 171 horses to stand their ground for the race at the latest confirmations stage, with a maximum field of 25 set, and is set to carry joint-top weight of 9st 12lb alongside Chil Chil.

Dods said: "He's heading there. He's in good form but obviously he has a big weight, but he'll go there anyway. The biggest thing for him will be giving all that weight away.

"He ran a brilliant race at York last time when he was shuffled to the stands' side, which wasn't the place to be, but under his weight there he ran a cracker and we couldn't be happier with him heading to Ayr."

The son of Lethal Force fell short in his attempt to win the double when seventh last year, but Dods hopes the decision to contest the race again will pay off this time.

He added: "It's exciting. He could've gone for the Listed race [Garrowby Stakes] at York earlier this month which we won with Gale Force Maya, but we thought the Ayr Gold Cup was the right race to go for. We're looking forward to it."

Commanche Falls is a general 12-1 chance for the Ayr Gold Cup, while fellow leading contender Erosandpsyche, who finished second in Sunday's Group 1 Flying Five Stakes, last year's winner Bielsa and Khanjar all remain in contention.

Notable absentees included last year's runner-up Great Ambassador and Fresh, who were leading contenders in the ante-post market.

Hannon star supplemented for Mill Reef Stakes

At Newbury, ten have been left in contention for the Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes (2.50) at the latest confirmations stage, with Richard Hannon responsible for four of the possible runners.

The trainer's team could be headed by July Stakes winner Persian Force, who was last seen finishing runner-up to Blackbeard in the Group 1 Prix Morny.

He could also be represented by Ripon Champion Two Yrs Old Trophy winner Shouldvebeenaring, who was supplemented for £5,000, as well as Wallop and Minnetonka.

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