GYTO Saturday Notebook Double

Likeable filly SPIRIT OF THE BAY won four straight after an encouraging return last season so I’ll be hoping for more of the same this time around. She ran a cracker on reappearance at Kempton to go down less than a length at the line and off the same mark with that under her belt she should take all the beating. There is potential for Fire Eyes, Zulu Girl and Khatwah to all push forward and if that happens it would be an ideal scenario. Alpha Cru could prove to be the main danger but she didn’t show a great deal when down the field on return. She has won fresh before so perhaps she just needs more off her current mark but I still think she might threaten. Finery is a decent mare and she acquitted herself well in defeat when second at Chelmsford last time. If she runs to that sort of level again she won’t be all that far away.

I thought PRYDWEN won in the style of a really progressive horse at Lingfield last week. He was notably strong at the line and did it with plenty to spare. He is only up 4lb and the hat-trick beckons now. I think he is versatile however this pans out and hopefully, Marco Ghiani can bring him through strongly in the closing stages. Sophosc is exposed in comparison but still has to be respected. He was only beaten 2 lengths when last seen and freshened up since could be capable of a better run. Ciotog has shaped with promise in 3 runs to date and could improve now handicapping for his new yard but I still think the selection might have him covered when the going gets tough. Baby Steps hasn’t won for a while so while I wouldn’t rule him out running well he would have to be vulnerable for win purposes.