GYTO Thursday Notebook Tips

This looks a good chance for PAT’S PICK (best price 15-8) to finally get his head in front. He was only beaten 2 and a half lengths on debut for his new yard at Ayr last month and with this step back up in trip likely to suit I think he can win this. He needs things to drop right but it wouldn’t surprise me if Brian Hughes was prominent on him as I think he is a horse that needs to be kept interested throughout. Firth Of Forth ran on well when second at Newcastle last time but that was just his third start over hurdles so he does lack experience. River Meadow goes up in trip for hurdle debut and could also run well but again should fare better for the outing. So They Say won her sole start in points so also figures fairly prominently in the betting but I think she’d only be of serious interest if heavily backed.

The money was down for DURDLE DOOR (best price 7-4) at Lingfield last time and she made no mistake running on strongly to take it up and hit the line convincingly. That form has worked out fairly well since and off just a 3lb rise she looks sure to go close. Hopefully she gets a good target to aim at as I think that is where she will be seen to best effect. Count Otto could be one of the pace angles with Top Breeze also having the potential to go forward if they hang about early. Zarzyni is the obvious danger as he ran well when a close second to Tommy De Vito at Southwell last month. That looked quite a good race to me so I expect him to get competitive. Royal Pleasure could also be in with a shout but he seems a bit of a tricky horse to catch right with the hood back on now.