Friday 19th September 2014

The Bronze Cup is the highlight on day two of the Ayr Gold Cup festival, with 27 runners taking their chance draw bias will almost definitely come into play.

At the moment I have no idea where you want to be drawn, jockeys were favouring centre of the track yesterday but Graham Lee blew that out of the water when racing alone “stands side” on Orient Class in the 16 runner Wallace McDowall Handicap. It was an outstanding ride to keep the horse going forward with nothing to aim at, I think we’ll know more about the draw after today’s racing.

For that reason I’m not tempted to get involved in the Bronze Cup.

I have placed a small EW bet on Accipiter who runs in the 3:45, priced at 25-1. I like this mare, a real tough sort who deserves to get some black type in her form. On paper Accipiter is easily passed over but the Chris Wall trained filly looks to have conditions in her favour something that’s been missing on her last two starts.

At Newbury the going turned soft something that wouldn’t have suited, she still ran well beaten 5 lengths in a good race. Two week ago at Kempton over six furlongs “Group 3” Accipiter hit the front with a furlong to go but didn’t quite see out the trip against some very nice types, she battled on at the same pace finishing 5^th of ten beaten 4 lengths.

Today’s return to five furlongs looks ideal and with ground in her favour I think Accipiter will have more horses behind than finish in front.

Stall 5 is a worry, a high draw might be required and she does need to improve but were not backing a single figure priced runner. At the odds of 25-1 Accipiter can run a decent race and looks overpriced.