As ever, the 2022 edition of Scotland’s biggest jumps race attracted a hugely competitive field, with runners travelling to Ayr from all corners of the British Isles. The powerful English yards of Dan Skelton and Olly Murphy were represented by Ashtown Lad and The Wolf respectively, whilst English-based Scotsman Alan King sent Major Dundee and Fidux in pursuit of his home National.
Pat Fahy travelled over from County Carlow with the well-fancied Stormy Judge and History Of Fashion, but it was Wales who looked to boast the strongest hand, with the Christian Williams-trained duo of Win My Wings and Kitty’s Light vying for favouritism at the head of the market.
Result
- 1st – Win My Wings 13/2CF, Jockey: Mr R James, Trainer: Christian Williams
- 2nd – Kitty’s Light 13/2CF, Jockey: Jack Tudor, Trainer: Christian Williams
- 3rd – Major Dundee 9/1, Jockey: Tom Cannon, Trainer: Alan King
- 4th – Fidux 66/1, Jockey: Daryl Jacob, Trainer: Alan King
Prize Money Breakdown
- 1st – £84,405
- 2nd – £31,800
- 3rd – £15,915
- 4th – £7,950
- 5th – £3,990
- 6th – £1,995
- 7th – £990
- 6th – £510
Tote and Forecast Payouts
- Tote Win – £7.50
- Tote Places – 1st – £2.10, 2nd – £2.30, 3rd – £2.50
- Exacta – £37.20
- Computer Straight Forecast (CSF) – £46.76
- Trifecta – £466.10
- Tricast – £406.77
Recap
A typically gruelling renewal of this marathon affair saw only nine of the starting field of 23 complete the course. The well-backed Irish raider Stormy Judge, and the strongly fancied Fantastikas from the yard of Nigel Twiston-Davies, were amongst those to be pulled up on the final circuit.
Neil Mulholland’s Chirico Vallis set the early pace in the famous green and gold silks of JP McManus, with outsider One More Fleurie amongst those helping to make the running. Co-favourites Win My Wings, Kitty’s Light and Stormy Judge were content to play a waiting game, with the trio being held up towards the back of the field.
The strong early fractions helped whittle down the field on the second circuit, as one by one the runners began to cry enough, leaving only seven in with realistic claims as they turned for home. With the pace setters paying a price for their early exertions, it was left to the more patiently ridden runners to take over and fight it out the finish.
Of those coming with a late charge, the eye was immediately drawn to Win My Wings who looked like she had only just joined in at the second last. Such smooth travellers don’t always find as much as you would expect, but once Win My Wings was asked to go for home, the mare promptly sprouted wings to put daylight between herself and the field. Stablemate Kitty’s Light chased her home, as Christian Williams registered a famous 1-2 for Wales.
Runners
- 1. Hill Sixteen – SP: 33/1, Trainer: Sandy Thomson, Jockey: Mr Jack Andrews
- 2. Vintage Clouds – SP: 40/1, Trainer: Sue Smith, Jockey: Sean Quinlan
- 3. Kitty’s Light – SP: 13/2CF, Trainer: Christian Williams, Jockey: Jack Tudor
- 4. Fantastikas – SP: 11/1, Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies, Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
- 5. Fidux – SP: 66/1, Trainer: Alan King, Jockey: Daryl Jacob
- 6. Jersey Bean – SP: 28/1, Trainer: Oliver Sherwood, Jockey: Brendan Powell
- 7. Win My Wings – SP: 13/2CF, Trainer: Christian Williams, Jockey: Mr R James
- 8. Ashtown Lad – SP: 10/1, Trainer: Dan Skelton, Jockey: Harry Skelton
- 9. The Wolf – SP: 14/1, Trainer: Olly Murphy, Jockey: Adrian Heskin
- 10. Streets Of Doyen – Non-Runner
- 11. Stormy Judge – SP: 13/2CF, Trainer: Pat Fahy, Jockey: Danny Mullins
- 12. Via Dolorosa – SP: 28/1, Trainer: David Pipe, Jockey: Tom Scudamore
- 13. Prime Venture – SP: 50/1, Trainer: Evan Williams, Jockey: Adam Wedge
- 14. Chirico Vallis – SP: 25/1, Trainer: Neil Mulholland, Jockey: Richie McLernon
- 15. Innisfree Lad – SP: 28/1, Trainer: David Dennis, Jockey: Bryan Hughes
- 16. One More Fleurie – SP: 16/1, Trainer: Ian Williams, Jockey: Charlie Todd
- 17. Major Dundee – SP: 9/1, Trainer: Alan King, Jockey: Tom Cannon
- 18. History Of Fashion – SP: 16/1, Trainer: Pat Fahy, Jockey: Phillip Enright
- 19. Court Master – SP: 33/1, Trainer: Michael Scudamore, Jockey: Richard Patrick
- 20. Ask A Honey Bee – SP: 28/1, Trainer: Fergal O’Brien, Jockey: Connor Brace
- 21. The Ferry Master – SP: 11/1, Trainer: Sandy Thomson, Jockey: Ryan Mania
- 22. El Paso Wood – SP: 28/1, Trainer: David Pipe, Jockey: Philip Armson
- 23. Cool Mix – SP: 12/1, Trainer: Iain Jardine, Jockey: Alan Doyle
- 24. Strong Economy – SP: 100/1, Trainer: Ian Duncan, Jockey: Derek Fox
Non Runners
Streets Of Doyen (self-certificate)