GYTO Tuesday Notebook Double

This doesn’t look a strong handicap hurdle so I am going to take a chance on KEPLERIAN making a winning start for Fergal O’Brien. This son of Telescope hasn’t shown a great deal so far but is certainly bred to be better than this level and if improving for his new trainer it is hard not to see him making an impact here. He was never really put in the race when only finishing fourth on handicap debut at Hereford but I remain confident that he could be ahead of his mark dropped 2lb from that. He is back down to two miles which should help and in a race lacking any real quality it would be no surprise to see him well backed. Sevenofus didn’t run badly when third at Newton Abbot last time and if first-time cheekpieces and a drop back in trip help she could be in the mix. Walkinthewoods is another one who could go well if fit enough on reappearance.

I thought there was lots to like about the way KEEP RUNNING won at Bangor on debut for Harry Whittington. He had some decent form to his name in France and justified strong support to win by 8 and a half lengths last month. He still looked rough around the edges and his jumping can certainly improve too so I think he’ll be up to carrying a penalty to victory here. Sergeant Wilson won a bumper at Taunton impressively and might be the danger if taking to hurdling at the first time of asking. King Ottokar was decent enough on the Flat and hasn’t really transferred that over hurdles in two starts so far. He still as potential but needs to show more and might be bumping into a couple of improvers. Basford was highly tried at Aintree so can be forgiven that and if taking to hurdles could run better than his odds are suggesting at least.