GYTO Thursday Notebook Double

This looks a straight shootout between the top two in the betting and I’m keen to side with GENERAL OFFICER as he moves up in trip here. He stayed on strongly to win an Irish point and has improved with every start for Donald McCain. He made it a perfect 2-2 over hurdles at Musselburgh last month merely kept up to his work in the closing stages. This trip should suit in testing ground and he is taken to defy a double penalty.

Copshill Lad is the only conceivable danger for Milton Harris. He impressed winning a bumper at Stratford and then shaped with plenty of encouragement on first start following a wind op when third on hurdles debut at Exeter. He was beaten 12 and a half lengths but is expected to strip fitter from that and should make a race of it. It wouldn’t surprise me if he trades shorter in-running before being outstayed by the selection.

I think it's safe to say Paul Mulrennan had a bit of a mare on KRAKEN POWER last time out. He was denied a run when hard on the bridle and had to be shuffled back to last before he could find a passage through. By then it was quite clear the race had got away from him so he just allowed him to coast home. I like the move dropping back down to the minimum and if he is better placed here then he is quite clearly the best handicapped horse in the race and should be winning.

Joanna Mason takes over in the saddle and with a bit of luck compensation awaits. Wee Fat Mac went down narrowly when fourth at Wolverhampton last time and might be the danger if running to that sort of level again. Indian Sounds was by no means disgraced when fourth over C&D on return and if stripping fitter for the run is another one that has to be respected in here.