Valery Borzov will love the testing conditions in today's Ayr Silver Cup (2.15) and looks overpriced at 20/1 for a horse that is potentially very well treated.
Richard Fahey's gelding disappointed last time out, but things didn't quite go according to plan and he had previously shown that he was coming back to his best when beating Amenable at Hamilton off a mark of 85.
Altough he races off a 5lb higher mark this afternoon he has won off much higher marks in the past and has conditions which he needs to be seen at his best.
It's a case of the softer the better for the seven-year-old, who has put up all his best performances when the mud is flying.
That is going to be the case today, with 7mm of rain falling at the scottish track overnight and more showers forecast today.
The gelding slammed Harrison George off a mark of 97 in a hot handicap at York on soft going back in 2009, and had previously won in heavy going at Haydock off 92.
He was not at his best last season, but has fallen in teh weights as a result and has been nursed back to form by his handler.
There is little doubt that he reatins enough ability to go take all the beating in this, and although it was no doubt a difficult choice for Paul Hanagan he has decided to partner him out of seven Fahey runners.
I had him priced up at no bigger than 14s for this, so at 20/1 he looks too big to ignore and excellent each-way value.
Recommended bet: 2pts each-way Valery Borzov (20-1 Hills - BOg, Blue Square, both paying 1/4 odds 1,2,3,4,5)
