'I'd really fancy him for the Middle Park' - Tim Easterby joins the panel

Can Ayr Gold Cup winner Bielsa make the step up into Group company?

Kevin Blake, broadcaster I’m sure many will think he can, but I’d be a bit more sceptical. He’s won the Ayr Gold Cup off a mark of 98 in quite odd circumstances that make it difficult to pinpoint what level he ran to. Ultimately, he’s a six-year-old who has spent the majority of his career rated in the 90s, so he’ll need to keep kicking and find improvement to compete in Group company.

Pat Cooney, bet365 I do think runner-up Great Ambassador will be a Group winner in 2022, so from a handicapping viewpoint I would say that Bielsa may also be. His trainer Kevin Ryan has won the Group 3 Abernant Stakes at Newmarket in April four times, so that may be a natural target for his connections to go for at the start of next season.

Tim Easterby, trainer He won well off 98 but I think there was a massive advantage on the track under each rail. I walked the course and it was definitely faster. The middle of the track has been used all the time and then got rain on it, whereas on either side there hadn’t been a horse on it.