GYTO Monday Notebook Double

There has been a lot of money for WILLIAM PHILO this morning and I’m keen to row in with the gamble. This son of Black Sam Bellamy looked promising over hurdles opening his account at Fontwell this time last year winning impressively despite being sent off at 33/1. He shaped as a stayer when a closing third at Wincanton back in February and was then put away after that. He might have only finished fifth on chase debut at Exeter but should be a lot sharper now and the experience wouldn’t have been lost on him. If he improves he will definitely be in with a shout of winning this. Waikiki Waves is likeable and ran well when second to Ramore Will here last time. That pair will likely be fighting it out for second hopefully in behind the selection.

I see this as a straight shootout between the two at the top of the market in Haku and VICTORY MARCH and it’s the latter I want to side with. He has won 2 of his last 4 starts now and looked good winning over slightly further here last month. He is often held up so will still need a bit of luck trying to pick them off late but I’ll be surprised if he doesn’t win more races as he still looks well handicapped to me. Hopefully Bakersboy and Ghostly take each other on early and put good pace to the race as that will help the selection. He wouldn’t want it to turn tactical. Haku is definitely the danger as he won readily at Kempton last month and with Billy Loughnane claiming 7lb that negates the penalty. He did run poorly at this track 3 starts back though so that put me off.