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ANOTHER big weekend for those of you, who like me, love playing in the massive field handicaps, with the big West of Scotland meeting at Ayr taking pride of place alongside a cracking card at Newbury.

Most of the bookmakers in shop and online are sure to be offering tempting each-way terms for the Ayr Gold Cup (3.40) and its sister race, the Silver Cup at 2.30, so it is worth shopping around for the very best offers on the high street.

The main event has a full field of 25 set to go to post with dual Goodwood Steward’s Cup winner, Commanche Falls, bidding to land yet another big handicap pot off the elevated mark of 109.

It would indeed be some performance if he could get the job done that and odds of around 8/1 are probably a fair reflection of his chance, bearing in mind he is so well-suited to these six furlong rushes.

But the percentage call is to row in with something, each-way, at a much bigger price and I really like the claims of massive outsider ESCOBAR.

What is enthralling about this classy veteran is that in a career spanning some 63 races, he has yet to race over a trip as sharp as this.

However, if he settles nicely in behind under David Nolan and doesn’t get too outpaced in the mid-section of the race, then this well-handicapped eight-year-old could cause a major shock.

As many of you will do, I too will be having a couple of savers in the race notably on Summerghand (a closing eighth off 107 last year) and now set to run off 102.

Volatile Analyst was also tempting but I fear the ground may dry up too much for him, a remark that also applies to Gulliver, who had absolutely no luck in running in Ireland last week.

So the other back-up wager goes to the nine-year-old Chiefofchiefs — who in contrast, will be favoured by a genuinely good surface.

The Silver Cup (2.30) looks just as tricky and may obviously give us some draw clues to the big one, but with plenty of pace on his side of the track I think that ASADJUMEIRAH has solid claims at around 16/1.

A ferocious end to end gallop over this trip is right up his street, his last two wins have come off solid gallops, and Cam Hardie looks to have some solid speed around him if the field split into two or possibly three groups.

Of the remaining 24 runners I have highest regard for the likes of recent Ripon winner Mark’s Choice, and the strikingly well-treated Aplomb.

Of the other events on the card, the solid REVICH can land the Handicap for the second year running at 1.20 with the solid pace to aim at that he loves.

The top weight is 6lbs higher than 12 months ago, but has performed well in better races this season including a cracking third in the Golden Mile Handicap at Glorious Goodwood.

The versatile Euchen Glen has claims in the valuable Doonside Cup at 1.55 and will have plenty of supporters following a couple of unlucky runs this season, but I just wonder if this sharpish 10 furlongs is a shade too sharp for him nowadays, and likely favourite PHANTOM FLIGHT is preferred.

The youngster is improving quickly and he was very impressive in the Finale Handicap at York, which merits this rise in grade.

Back on turf, BELIEVING could well be the each-way pick in the Group Three Firth of Clyde Fillies’ Stakes at 3.05, while bottom weight HUMBLE SPARK could cause a shock in the one-mile nursery due off at 4.15.

The going should also be near enough perfect at Newbury where the feature event is the Group Two Mill Reef Stakes at 2.50. Following his impressive win in a novice at Haydock Park earlier in the month, Sakheer, will most probably start favourite and where he to take another significant step forward, then the son of Zoffany would be very hard to beat.

However, I just prefer the claims of Salisbury novice winner HEROISM.

Trainer Clive Cox very rarely puts his youngsters over their heads in races such as this, and word has it that the colt has come forward massively from his novice win at Salisbury, which admittedly he needs to do to win here.

Of the handicaps at the Berkshire track I suspect that the unexposed Warren Point will start a tight favourite in the 10 furlong Handicap at 3.25 and he is the most likely winner, but at nearly five times the price I think we will get a big run out of PISTOLETTO (nap).

Last a winner off 92, the five-year-old is set to race off 87 here and the long home stretch will give this strong stayer at the trip plenty of time to engage top gear, and hopefully hit the frame at the very least.

I thought that SIR RUMI was given too positive a ride in clawing ground at Thirsk last time out, but Pat Dobbs takes over in the saddle here, and the slightly easier assignment of the 4.35 on better ground should see him in a better light.

At Newmarket, NATASHA (nb) has been crying out for a drop to a mile and should make a good fist of it off top weight in the fillies’ handicap at 2.06, while returning from a short spell on the side lines I can see SHARK TWO ONE running a big race in the six furlong handicap at 3.16.

Finally under the lights at Wolverhampton, two to have a second look at include the well handicapped EMBOUR in the 5.55 under his capable claimer, and the three-year-old HOTTER IN TIME later on at 7.00.