Dods believes Ayr’s big showpiece can Falls into his lap
Michael Dods is hoping an Ayr Gold Cup victory completes a dream rise for Commanche Falls.
Dods admits he’s stunned by the improvement of his star, who became the first horse in 54 years to win back-to-back renewals of the Stewards Cup.
Now the Darlington handler has his sights trained on Ayr for the £150,000 sprint.
Commanche Falls is a 12/1 chance behind 7/1 favourite, Great Ambassador, runner-up last year for Ed Walker.
Dods’s charge finished seventh 12 months ago, but has continued to progress and returns under topweight of 9st 11lb.
That’s quite the burden to overcome, but Dods believes his gelding deserves a crack at the Virgin Betsponsored handicap.
“He has improved unbelievably well,” said Dods. “He raced off 84 in his first outing last season and now is top weight for the Ayr Gold Cup.
“It’s a big weight but the plan is to run regardless, he’s in great form. We never expected him to do what he’s done.
“It’s been delightful to be on the journey with him. An Ayr Gold Cup would undoubtedly top the lot.”
Commanche Falls has done all his racing this season at Group One tracks Doncaster, Epsom, Ascot, Goodwood and York.
But there have been hiccups. A lack of opportunities forced Dods to give him an Epsom prep for Royal Ascot on a course that doesn’t suit.
After finishing 13th of 14 there, he unseated jockey Connor Beasley when leaving the stalls in the Wokingham.
He had to pass a stalls test before being allowed to run in the Stewards Cup.
There, he defended his title in style at 25/1 by edging out the Hollie Doyle-ridden Tabdeed.
Dods was more than 300 miles away for both Stewards Cup glory days, preferring to stay closer to home, but he won’t miss Ayr’s flagship event.
“That’s two years running I’ve been at other meetings, and luckily we’ve won at Goodwood,” he said.
“That was a great thrill. He’s not had a lot of racing this season. Things didn’t go to plan at Ascot so, amazingly, he won again.
“He ran a blinder to be second at York a couple of weeks ago, so we’re really happy to give it a go at Ayr.”
Dods came closest to Ayr glory in 2009 when Barney McGrew was chinned on the line by Clive Cox’s Jimmy Styles, ridden by Frankie Dettori.
“Everything went right – other than the last 20 yards when Frankie came and did us,” recalled Dods. “We were delighted with the run, but gutted he got beat.”
Last year’s winner, Bielsa, is on the same weight as 2021 and bids to give Kevin Ryan his sixth winner of the race – a feat that would equal the record held by Dandy Nicholls.