GYTO Friday Notebook Double

This is definitely a tougher race but the way SHELIKESTHELIGHTS won on handicap debut at Southwell last time was mightily impressive and even carrying a penalty I think she could be up to completing the hat-trick here. She made all the last day and jumped and travelled like a progressive horse. She is obviously open to further improvement and 4/1 makes plenty of appeal despite this having more strength in depth. There isn’t a huge amount of pace on so I think they’ll go forward with her again and if she gets into a nice rhythm she will be a danger to all. Afadil didn’t run badly in the Boodles and then was only denied a couple of lengths by his stablemate at Ascot. Another run like that would see him emerge as the danger. Scots Poet can jump better than he did at Musselburgh so would also have to be respected.

Another competitive handicap which looks the story of the day but again I am keen on NOVEL LEGEND going close for James Fanshawe and Danny Muscutt. This son of Nathaniel has won 2 of his last 3 and stayed on strongly to get on top at Kempton last month. Given his breeding it is no surprise to see him come into his own as his stamina is drawn out and he remains unexposed as a stayer. He is up 6lb but likely has more to come back on turf and I think he can serve it up to these in the closing stages. Vino Victrix is a decent yardstick who ran well last season winning a decent race impressively at Goodwood. He then bumped into Run For Oscar in the Cesarewitch before looking a bit one paced at Pontefract. He could go well but usually needs his first run back and soft ground would be far from ideal as well.