Lucky Lucky Man attempting repeat bid in Ayr Bronze Cup

3.45 Ayr
William Hill Ayr Bronze Cup Handicap | 6f, 3yo+ | RTV

Why is it interesting?

A maximum field of 25 sprinters will charge up Ayr's straight, the outcome likely to give a number of punting clues as to any track bias for the more prestigious Gold and Silver Cups on Saturday’s big-race card.

Introduced in 2009 in response to huge entries for the Gold Cup, which became heavily oversubscribed, the £30,000 Bronze Cup has proved a welcome addition to the sprint-handicap programme.

Jack Dexter, an impressive winner in 2012 when landing a huge gamble, progressed to land a Group 3 and two Listed events, and was also placed in Group 2 company.

What do the stats say?

The draw is one of the first ports of call for punters endeavouring to unravel huge-field puzzles like this.

Lucky Lucky Man, trained by Richard Fahey, landed the prize 12 months ago from stall 16, with the second, third and fourth racing from stalls 23, 25 and 20 respectively. Don't get too excited about a possible high-draw bias though, as that race was run on heavy ground and different underfoot conditions are likely this time.

Conversely in 2016, the winner Classic Seniority raced from stall five, chased home by contestants from stalls seven and eight. The official going that day was described as good to soft.

Tim Easterby, who walked the course on Thursday morning, believes there will be no bias, describing it as "beautiful ground".

As is normally the case nowadays with track preparation so much more consistent than 20 years ago, if there is any advantage it will probably lie with being drawn where the best pace is.

What do the trainers say?

John Quinn, trainer of Captain Jameson
He must have a chance as long as the ground stays good. He’s been running well.

Tim Easterby, trainer of Music Society and Look Out Louis
Music Society goes there in good form on the back of a win at Carlisle. He likes good ground, and must have a chance. Look Out Louis is also on good terms with himself at present. He ran okay at York last time. They are drawn on opposite sides of the track, but I don’t think there will be any advantage in terms of stall position. I walked the track before racing on Thursday and it’s beautiful ground. I think the best horse will win.

Michael Dods, trainer of Pendleton
He ran well at York the other day. I hope the ground doesn’t dry out. He’s an improving three-year-old and I think the bigger field this time will suit him.

Richard Fahey, trainer of Get The Rhythm, Paddy Power and Wasntexpectingthat
I’m hoping Get The Rhythm can bounce back. Six furlongs suits him well. Paddy Power does what he wants but a big field suits him. Lucky Lucky Man won the race last year on slower ground. He’s running back into form, so I hope the ground doesn’t go against him. Wasntexpectingthat ran okay at York. He needs slower ground. I couldn’t pick between the four of them.

Nikki Padgett, owner of Upstaging
If there’s a bit of cut in the ground I’d be hopeful. He’ll get plenty of cover in this big field which is exactly what he needs, and goes there in good heart.

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