How To Bet £20 on Saturday: Make time for Soldier’s Minute in Ayr showpiece

Soldier’s Minute looked a Group One horse in the making when winning at York in May and has to be backed, at 50-1 with Coral and Ladbrokes, to win the William Hill Ayr Gold Cup on Saturday.

The Keith Dalgleish-trained four-year-old trounced 20 rivals in a competitive six-furlong handicap on the Knavesmire but is chalked up among the rank outsiders for this weekend’s feature because he has failed to reproduce anything like that form in three subsequent runs, including in the Wokingham and Stewards’ Cup.

Consistency has always been an issue for him and I’d imagine he has physical or mental issues, perhaps both, but when everything clicks, as it did only four months ago, then the opposition may as well stay at home.

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Soldier’s Minute is now only 4lb higher than when romping home under Joe Fanning at York, when such as Gulliver and Arecibo were among those left trailing in his wake. That pair are among the market leaders on Saturday.

Fanning is back on board for the first time since and also partnered Soldier’s Minute when he won easily at Kempton in March.

A seven-week break should have helped recharge Soldier’s Minute’s batteries and a first-time visor may also help revive him. Those drawn low, as he is, were at no disadvantage on Friday, when Dalgleigh enjoyed a double.

I fancy Soldier's Minute will either win or trail home in rear – he does not seem to go for anything in between – and with that in mind my main stake will be on him to win, rather than each-way. If you prefer a safety net, Sky Bet are offering seven places.

In the William Hill Silver Cup, my eye is drawn to the two Roger Fell runners running from either end of the handicap.

I put up Admirality for the big seven-furlong handicap run at Leopardstown last week and he ran well to be beaten little more than a length in a race that did not pan out for him.

He’s hinted all year he has a big handicap in him and, given he has a high cruising speed, the drop back to six furlongs should not inconvenience him.

Admirality has worn a hood in his past five races but it is left off here and that can have an equally stimulating effect. He was well punted last week – he went off at 8-1 after initially being available at 20-1 – and I can see the 14-1 also proving popular.

Fell also runs Presidential and he is worth an each-way play at the general 33-1 on offer to improve on the seventh place he achieved in the mud in last year’s renewal.

He has been something of a tease over seven furlongs this year but I like the fact he is dropping back in trip and that the promising Angus Villers, who claims 7lb, has been snapped up to ride him for the first time.

At Newbury, Forest Of Dean and Caradoc stand out in the Dubai Duty Free Handicap.

The former has to carry a 5lb penalty for his win at York last time but he is well-in as the handicapper pushed him up 10lb for that success.

There will be worse 5-2 chances running on Saturday but, at the prices, I still prefer the 7-1 available about the similarly progressive Caradoc, who also ran well at the Ebor meeting when a close third in a competitive 1m4f handicap.

He will be suited by dropping back in distance, is only 2lb higher and Ryan Moore rides for the first time.

Finally, Equiano Springs is worth another chance in the Heath Court Hotel Handicap that closes the card at Newmarket.

He ran too bad to be true at Ascot 15 days ago but before that had hinted his turn was close, doing well to finish fourth at Ripon on his penultimate start after fluffing the start.

Tom Tate’s charge impressed when winning in a slick time at Doncaster in May and is only 4lb higher.

How To Bet £20 on Saturday:

3.50 Ayr: Soldier’s Minute £10 win and £5 each-way at 50-1 with Coral and Ladbrokes

2.40 Ayr: Admirality £2.50 each-way at a general 14-1

2.40 Ayr: Presidential £1.50 each-way at a general 33-1

3.30 Newbury: Caradoc £3 win at a general 7-1

3.50 Ayr: Soldier’s Minute £5 win and £1 each-way at 50-1 with Coral and Ladbrokes

5.35 Newmarket: Equiano Springs £2 win a general 10-1

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