GYTO Thursday Notebook Double

After going down just a neck on hurdles debut NEW ORDER should be really hard to beat here. He was keen enough and in hindsight possibly just came with his effort sooner than ideal. He was only edged out in the final few yards and the front pair came 8 and a half lengths clear from the rest.

He is open to improvement with that under his belt and looks the most likely winner with this race already cutting up with a couple of non runners. Hazy Glen impressed winning by over 5 lengths on debut in a bumper but then could only finish midfield at Cheltenham.

If he steps forward on debut over hurdles he could be the main danger. Sea Grey best of the rest but again will need to improve.

The step up in trip could bring about further improvement for IRISH POINT so the four-timer may well be on the cards. He really impressed winning readily on reappearance last month and his form keeps stacking up so I’m confident he is the one to beat. Home By The Lee could only finish third to a rejuvenated Bob Olinger at Navan and will need to leave that behind to win this.

He did win this last year though so looks the biggest danger. Asterion Forlonge was nearer last than first at Punchestown on return and is interesting back over hurdles but still needs to show more before you could back him confidently. Buddy One blew out at Fairyhouse but if bouncing back isn’t completely discounted.