Darley strikes on Bandari Kevin Darley drew first blood as Gold Cup day got under way at Ayr today. The champion jockey, on board Undeterred in the big race, steered Bandari to an all-the-way-win in the opening Carrick Architects EBF Novice Stakes. His mount was strongly pressed by Bit Of Luck over two furlongs out but knuckled down to his task well and pulled clear again in the closing stages to score by three and a half lengths. The winner was underlining the return to form of Mark Johnston`s two-year-olds. 'We don`t why but they all ran below their form for about two weeks,' said the trainer`s assistant Bobby Elliott. 'This horse won at Beverley and that was good form but then he was below that in the Solario Stakes at Sandown. 'But luckily they are all back to form now and this is a nice horse. We might put him away now and he will be a proper horse next year.'
