GYTO Saturday Notebook Double

With Paul Nicholls going so well MILAN BRIDGE could be the one to beat at Aintree on Saturday. He has won 3 from 4 over hurdles and his form has been progressive. This is obviously tougher now but he remains thoroughly unexposed and he should be ready for the step back up in trip now. This should be run at a good gallop and that will help him and I’m keen to keep him onside given he can fire fresh. The danger might be Gericault Roque who chased home Corarch Rambler in the Ultima when last seen and has some very good form to his name but he does have a habit of finding one too good and that might be the way this pans out too. Flight Deck should have more to come over staying trips and is another one to consider. Johnson’s Blue is thriving but has gone up another 10lb and is pitched into much tougher company now.
 

There was lots to like about the way ISRAR stayed on to get up late in the London Gold Cup at Newbury in May and he backed that up going down just a length in the King George V Stakes at Royal Ascot in June. That was very good form so it was no surprise to see him sent off just 11/8 next time but he failed to run his race finishing last of the three. Given time to recover from that he was back to his best winning readily over C&D last month and a 7lb rise might not be enough to stop this progressive 3yo. He was firmly in control late on the last day and it’s no surprise to see him clear favourite for this. Nathanael Greene has been a gradual improver and he didn’t run badly when fourth to Post Impressionist at York last time. If he builds on that he could be the one to chase the selection home. Metier should also run well with Saffie Osborne on.