Day 2 Yankee 2024 - Captain That Horse

[Indo]

I think Minella Indo is the perfect cornerstone to a day 2 yankee.

I think his price would be a very solid inclusion. Even though he is not the horse of a few years ago, as mentioned above he comes alive at the track, and I think he is a level above the rest of the potential runners (unless Gordon gets his way with Conflated!). His run earlier this season was very encouraging over the banks and I read somewhere that Henry said he has always done cross country and he enjoys it. Henry is also very good at getting his horses right for the big day, and this is his, while Gordon could have a bit more of an eye on the National.

It looks like the ground could go against Galvin, and Gordon said he may not run if it does and keep him fresh for Aintree. Delta Work I feel has regressed a bit from last season, all be it could be just them building him up to the spring. But I do think wanting to run Conflated here and now running Coko Beach could be a sign Gordon thinks that too.

[Istabraq]

I think Minella Indo is the perfect cornerstone to a day 2 yankee.

Controversial view but I wasn't that taken with the horse in December.
Didn't look a natural on the course, was well beaten by LateNightPass albeit with weight concession, I'd be a much bigger fan of a Delta Work is who proven here or maybe Galvin to find small improvement in this sphere.
For me, at the prices Minella Indo looks poor value and a serious lay but I accept that won't be a view shared by all...

[Bonjers]

As Q says, BANC is pointless if going each way as there will only be 2 places and the top 2 looks clear. Fact to File also wins it.

Ballymore - depends on Ballyburn. Predators Gold with 2 2nds in grade 1s is a decent each way shout.

Coral Cup - my record is woeful with only one winner and that was pissing about with the outsiders on the exchange when it was heavy. I like Nicholls Blueking D'Oroux. High enough at 148 but looks the grade 1 type in a handicap. Already won a grade 2 this season and found the 3m too much last time. Nicholls won it with a French bred 5 year old before as well. I'd consider the lightly raced Irish as well - Hiddenvalley Lake, Built by Ballymore, Nusret.

QMCC - ignore

XC - Delta Work. Loves the course. The softer the better.

Grand Annual - Sa Fureur, In Excelsius Deo or Triple Trade.

Bumper - I think Jasmin pisses in.

Wednesdays always quite difficult for the Yankee as the Ballymore usually has a short price winner, the QMCC has a short price fav each year, BANC isn't that competitive and so you're left with the other 4 races, one being a flat race and the other the most difficult handicap hurdle race to decipher.

Good luck!

Blueking has a problem. Waiting for Sandown.

[The Giant Bolster]

Controversial view but I wasn't that taken with the horse in December.
Didn't look a natural on the course, was well beaten by LateNightPass albeit with weight concession, I'd be a much bigger fan of a Delta Work is who proven here or maybe Galvin to find small improvement in this sphere.
For me, at the prices Minella Indo looks poor value and a serious lay but I accept that won't be a view shared by all...

I agree with this. To my eye, I thought Minella Indo didn't look comfortable over the banks through the race. He looked to make a lot of his ground once they left them behind. I was slightly surprised he got such positive reviews for the run. I'd personally prefer the 4-1 for Delta Work.

[Quevega]

Controversial view but I wasn't that taken with the horse in December.
Didn't look a natural on the course, was well beaten by LateNightPass albeit with weight concession, I'd be a much bigger fan of a Delta Work is who proven here or maybe Galvin to find small improvement in this sphere.
For me, at the prices Minella Indo looks poor value and a serious lay but I accept that won't be a view shared by all...

I agree.
We all know Elliott horses aren’t trying in the handicap cross country races so rating minella for doing so seems contrary.
Also it is the jockeys experience on this course that counts a fair bit and them knowing when to go and not to go that will likely influence also.
Although Rachel is no mug.

[That Horse]

Banc - f2f, saf, American mike
Coral - sa majeste, built by Ballymore, Anna bunina, first street, Langer dan, ballyadam

Champ chase - el fab

Grand annual - straw fan jack, saint roi, in excelsis, Harper's brook, triple trade, dancing on my own, path doroux

XC - minella, coko, delta

Just jotting down those discussed on other threads for ease of reference - if anyone can afford to perm all of these, you're onto a winner

Haven't bothered listing anything bumper related as I can't be arsed with that race to be honest. But obviously all ears for any interesting info.


If Anna Bunina is retired and ends up in foal, I hope the first female offspring is called Nina Banana

[That Horse]

FJ doesn't really have a place for things like this, so I thought I'd put it here;

https://twitter.com/heyitswindy/status/1764023423485812995?t=R0nZWswykAX-xNVPK2tulA&s=19

Only discovered this today

[Eggs]

….i like Brazil for the Coral Cup, price has had a little haircut despite not hearing it mentioned much on Preview nights. Not a high-profile trainer but JP owned & still a handy price at 16-1. Won the MP in 2022 beating Gaelic Warrior and a valuable Galway handicap on the flat in the summer.

Has run in a handicap hurdle since over a shorter trip, is decent on trends. Only entry is Coral Cup and remained in at todays declaration stage, I think the price will hold until selection day.

[That Horse]

….i like Brazil for the Coral Cup, price has had a little haircut despite not hearing it mentioned much on Preview nights. Not a high-profile trainer but JP owned & still a handy price at 16-1. Won the MP in 2022 beating Gaelic Warrior and a valuable Galway handicap on the flat in the summer.

Has run in a handicap hurdle since over a shorter trip, is decent on trends. Only entry is Coral Cup and remained in at todays declaration stage, I think the price will hold until selection day.

Him and Langer Dan were the two I've in mind if we use the coral, obviously I'll have to pick between them if we do

[RufusFlynn]

Given the uncertainty around the forecast; and the fact that the XC course will seemingly be heavy regardless - does Coko Beach not seem a good value EW selection?

Took to the banks nicely, will handle the ground, stay all day - plus Gordon & Gigginstown have history of the seemingly lesser fancied runner coming out on top.

He also has age on his side against the other three classy ones in the race.

[Craigy14]

Given the uncertainty around the forecast; and the fact that the XC course will seemingly be heavy regardless - does Coko Beach not seem a good value EW selection?

Took to the banks nicely, will handle the ground, stay all day - plus Gordon & Gigginstown have history of the seemingly lesser fancied runner coming out on top.

He also has age on his side against the other three classy ones in the race.

Just backed him this morning after saying the exact same to couple of mates. Could also have Jack on if Keith keeps the ride on Delta Work.

[That Horse]

Given the uncertainty around the forecast; and the fact that the XC course will seemingly be heavy regardless - does Coko Beach not seem a good value EW selection?

Took to the banks nicely, will handle the ground, stay all day - plus Gordon & Gigginstown have history of the seemingly lesser fancied runner coming out on top.

He also has age on his side against the other three classy ones in the race.

He does, track conditions make it even more likely it's between him and delta. Like you say, scenario is also reminiscent of when gigginstown had delta beat tiger. I also think there may have been previous chat elsewhere on the forum that Jack Kennedy isn't likely to be the jockey on delta work so would he skip this race or likely be on coko?

[Odin]

Wednesday is a tough day this year.

Sa Majeste, Langer Dan or Built By Ballymore in the Coral, none are particularly original though, sorry!
Coko or Delta Work (same comment applies)
You Oughtta Know still the stand out for the Bumper in my eyes.

Other possibles - Predators Gold if you want an ew angle, likewise American Mike?

[Lobos]

Drying ground wont suit BBB.
Galvin back in the mix?

[DenmanSacre]

This is a tough day as there's too many short favourites.

Ballyburn 4/7
Fact to File 10/11
El Fabiolo 4/9

If we take any of them on, it would be Fact to File (even though I think he's a good thing). Stepping up in trip against an Albert Bartlett winner available at 7/2 in Stay Away Fay. If going each way, 7/2 in a Yankee isn't the worst.

Coral Cup - looks like Built by Ballymore or Sa Majeste is the consensus view. My record is horrendous in that race so won't even bother putting any up against those two.

XC - looks like Jack will be on Delta Work and 3/1 isn't bad. I'd make him shorter.

Grand Annual - Madara for me and I've put the argument up elsewhere. I do think this is the most likely handicap chase to have an outsider win though. I could see Triple Trade running well at a price and a few have mentioned Frero Banbou. I think he needs 3 to come out, which would be My Mate Mozzie, Saint Felicien and possibly Gemirande. Could sneak in at the bottom but also a risk he doesn't get in.

Bumper - very difficult. YOK is best rated but a number just behind him. Could take a flyer at Fleur au Fesil or Junta Marvel (not sure she's going) who are rated near the top but double digits.


Built by Ballymore/Sa Majeste
Madara
YOK/one of the fillies
Delta Work or Stay Away Fay