GYTO Saturday Notebook Double

Paul Nicholls has won this for the last two years with Scaramanga and Samarrive and he looks to have another great chance this time around with Imperial Cup winner ICEO. He really impressed the last day staying on strongly to go clear late and kept fresh for this moving up in trip could easily improve again. The yard saddle 3 runners and he is the choice of stable jockey Harry Cobden which could turn out to be a tip in itself. Last year’s winner Samarrive ran better when third to Irish Hill at Ascot last time but is still 6lb higher this time around but Freddie Gingell has been booked and claims 7lb off his back which will help matters. Crebilly is still unexposed and has been running well all season so might be the main threat. El Muchacho missed just a short head at Wincanton last time and could go well but has been nudged back up 3lb for that.

I thought there was enough promise in that reappearance run from PRIDE OF PRIORY to make him a strong play at Ripon on Saturday. He won at this track as a 3yo and had excuses when down the field at Kempton on return last time. He was slowly into stride that day and was always on the back foot as a result. He did make some late headway but could never land a blow. I’ll be surprised if there isn’t more to come off a mark of 95 and with Adam Farragher claiming a handy 3lb off his back he looks sure to run a big race here. Australian Angel was only denied a head at Chester on final start and that form is working out well so with more to come this season she could emerge as the danger. Capital Theory is interesting back up to this trip as he did seem to be finishing strongly when fifth at Kempton last time so also has to be respected.