Draw Proving To Be Key In Big Fields At Ayr

The draw did for Englishman yesterday, though in saying that he didn't run to anywhere near his best. All the action unfolded down the far side in the Bronze Cup, and low numbers have been dominating in big fields at Ayr this week.

In the Silver Cup I have had a small each way bet on the Michael Dods trained My Name Is Rio. He has been on the drift this morning, and he is as big as 66/1 with Coral. In the Racing Post this morning Dods said he was expecting him to get into the Bronze Cup yesterday, but he sneaks in here off a nice racing weight of just 9-2.

His best form this year has come over 5f, and he was a winner at Beverley (good to soft) back in July over the minimum trip. However, this 6yo son of Captain Rio has plenty of decent form at today's trip of 6f, and off a rating of 90 he is just one pound above his last winning mark. He is a previous course winner (5f  gd) off 89. and three of his six career wins have come over 6f.

Sean Levey has been booked for the ride, and he has a decent record when riding for Dods. From 33 rides he has 6 wins and 11 places, so he has hit the frame on over 50% of his rides for the canny trainer. My Name is Rio has been handed an excellent draw in stall 6, and he will have no excuses on that front. He has to leave the form of his last run behind him, but Dods has his string in fine form at the moment so an improved showing would come as no surprise.

The Gold Cup looks as competitive a renewal as ever, and there are no shortage of potential winners in the field. I had a few quid each way on G-Force at 28/1 earlier in the week, but he has shortened dramatically and the 12/1 available now looks a touch skinny. However, he will love the ground, his handicap mark has dropped to a workable level and he has a decent draw in 11.

The former group 1 winner is from a yard that has already had a winner for these owners during the week, and their only other entry was beaten a neck into 2nd. G Force showed clear signs of returning to the boil last time at Navan, staying on nicely for 3rd on ground plenty soft enough for him.

The drying conditions at Ayr should suit him, and he gets to race off a mark of just 102. If he is back to anywhere near his best he should be capable of making an impact off that mark, and if he produces his peak form it could simply be a question of how far he wins by. However, you can never be too confident in a 25 runner, 6f battle charge, and he will require luck in running. If G Force gets the breaks he could be hard to beat and he looks worth supporting each way, even at his reduced odds of 12/1 with Stanjames, who are paying 5 places e/w.

STEVOS' SELECTIONS: 

SILVER CUP: MY NAME IS RIO E/W 50/1 (5 PLACES B365)
                           
GOLD CUP: G FORCE E/W 12/1 E/W (5 PLACES STANJAMES) nap