'I'd never usually be too confident in a 25-runner race but I think he's got a big chance' - quotes and analysis for the Bronze Cup

Jim Goldie looks the obvious place to start with in this year's Bronze Cup as he saddles 20 per cent of the field.

That's providing his two Thursday runners reappear quickly, an approach the local trainer tends to embrace, while he also targets this meeting carefully.

Rock Melody is arguably the most interesting of the five as she was sent off favourite for this race last year (ninth, slowly away, late headway) and caught the eye when a running-on fourth at Hamilton last time. She has an interesting jockey booking, too, given Harry Davies is 1-3 (33 per cent) for the trainer. 

Call Me Ginger also has previous in this race, having won it off a much higher mark in 2021. He was rated high enough (90) to secure a birth in the Silver Cup this time last year, but his current perch of 70 is a result of a disappointing season.

He was behind Eternal Sunshine last time, with that horse in contrastingly red-hot form. The progressive four-year-old missed out by just a neck to Zarzyni at Musselburgh on Sunday and should not be underestimated. Classy Al (seventh in that race) and Rory should find things harder.

In a race in which the draw hasn't had much of an impact in recent years, others to consider in order of preference are the improving pair Trilby and Havana Rum, consistent Jonny Concrete and penalised Spirit Of Applause.
Analysis by Maddy Playle

What they say

Tim Palin, director of Middleham Park Racing, owners of Monsieur Kodi, Cold Stare and Ziggy's Queen
It looks a fiercely competitive race. Monsieur Kodi has slimmed down to a very attractive mark but he thrives on soft ground so we'd have liked to have seen a bit of rain. Hopefully he can still acquit himself well. Similarly, Cold Stare would benefit from more juice in the ground but he's off a mark he can win off. Ziggy's Queen was a bit unlucky in running at Newcastle last time and will appreciate returning to the turf. The headgear seems to be working for her and she's slipped down to an attractive mark. 

Nigel Tinkler, trainer of Roundhay Park
He's a course-and-distance winner who deserves to take his chance after running well this season. He'll be fine on the ground as long as it doesn't become too fast. He's won a race just about every year, and hasn't won one yet, so it would be great if he can do it here.

Nigel Tinkler: trainer of Roundhay Park

Ed Bethell, trainer of Cavalier Approach
It's a wide-open race. He stays six furlongs, the ground will suit him and hopefully he can give a good account of himself.

Liam Bailey, trainer of Dicko The Legend
I'd never usually be too confident in a 25-runner race but I think he's got a big chance. His last effort over six furlongs on quick ground was at York in July and he won impressively. The ground went too soft at Doncaster the other day and he couldn't pick up on it, while it wasn't ideal for him in a small field at Musselburgh in August. We're taking a valuable 7lb off and I saw enough last time to suggest he has a good chance.
Reporting by Jonathan Harding

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