Kite To Fly High In Bunbury Cup

Saturday’s Bunbury Cup at Newmarket (3.10) is one of the leading 7f handicaps of the Flat season, and one in which punters have taken a liking to Luca Cumani’s 5yo, Ayaar (6/1).

Dettori To Pounce Late?
Beaten around 4l in the Hunt Cup at Ascot, Ayaar may have got to the front too soon under Frankie Dettori that day, who may choose to deliver him later on Saturday. A winner of Newbury’s Spring Cup prior to that, he has a likeable profile in these big handicaps and looks sure to be thereabouts.

Also in the Hunt Cup was Chil The Kite, who was around 3l ahead of Ayaar, and also has plenty of form in big handicaps.

A 1lb higher mark still sees him well treated and he is another who looks set to run a big race.

It’s worth noting, however, that the majority of Bunbury Cup winners ran over 6f-7f last time, while last time out winners have also flopped here…

Trends Summary
Of the last 10 Bunbury winners…

10 won over 7f
9 were non-winners last time
9 were non-favourites
9 ran over 6f-7f last time
9 had 6 handicap runs or more
8 already ran at Newmarket

Another Gold For Bronze?
The fact that defeat was no bad thing last time out in this race may see backers flock towards the likeable 6yo, Bronze Angel (12/1), who was seventh in the Hunt Cup.

As a dual Cambridgeshire winner, he will have plenty of stamina which could see him try to dominate affairs from the front (led a furlong out in the Hunt Cup).

Another who could be up with the pace is Dean Ivory’s bottom weight, Firmdecisions (14/1), a winner of his last two outings. The second of those was under similar conditions on the Rowley Course (7f, good to firm), and his progress suggests he has more to come.

Ground Could Suit Jallota
As for the bigger prices – for the record, eight Bunbury winners returned 10/1 or bigger – then Charles Hills’ 4yo, Jallota (14/1), catches the eye having won a valuable 7f handicap at York last month (good to soft). Considering he hated the ground that day, he could show more at the weekend.

Another fact worth bearing in mind is that each of the last 10 Bunbury winners were already proven over 7f, which Lulu The Zulu (14/1) can boast of. This 7yo mare was just touched at Newcastle a few weeks back (7f, good), and while this represents a step up in class, she arrives in top form.

Also proven over 7f is David Simcock’s Related (16/1) and this 5yo’s fourth in the Wokingham (6f, good to firm) indicates a return to this trip could see this improver back in front.

Recommended Bets
There could be a strong gallop, and one which may favour those coming from behind, such as Chil The Kite. He finished strongly in the Hunt Cup, and this strongly-run 7f will be right up his street, while Ryan Moore looks a very interesting booking.

*Prices correct at time of publication