Hi Guys.
Let's see what we can do in July!
I would generally be thinking of a 'banker', 1 middlish price and a couple of outsiders though options for bankers are limited considering the races priced up and who already has been taken.
Banker possibles:
Lossiemouth was taken for the June Yankee and looks a very sensible and solid selection. No point having a 20/1 winner in a yankee if you don't get anything with it! That's twice now Lossiemouth has been included, along with Old Park Star so probably best to avoid for now, especially as always the potential can get a bigger price in the season. This does bring in the possibility of doubling up on Il Etait Temps, though with potentially Kopek Des Bourdes and Kargese stepping up to the open 2m division, along with Marine Nationale and possibly Majborough, then the division looks like it could be even stronger next season. Other potential bankers could be Gaelic Warrior, already in the March yankee. I think Wodhooh in the Mares is worth serious consideration and is available with Bet365, Flutter and Unibet of some of the bigger firms. There is the possibility she steps up to 3m and goes Stayers. However, having been the yards sole winner in each of the last two years, I think they will look to keep her doing what she does best and where she is proven. Worth thinking she is still only a 6yo, going on 7 so still plenty of time for her to step up to 3m, probably when she is found out at 2 1/2m.
Others:
Looking at some of the more obvious races and strategy, we currently have no competition for Old Park Star in the Arkle. Certainly Sober Glory caught my eye prior to Cheltenham as a potential chaser for next season and annoyingly he ran too well at the Festival which left hurdles on the table. However, his disappointment at Aintree maybe suggests going chasing where he will be a 7yo for his novice season. Mydaddypaddy is another obvious one with him looking to have the build of a chaser. He is a year younger but showed a good ability to travel at speed and it isn't hard to think he would be in the reckoning if the Arkle is strongly run like it so often is. The yard also have Kabral Du Mathan who has the potential to throw his hat in the ring. The other option is to try pick the Mullins horse. With He's On Fire expected to go over further, we are looking at 16/1+ for the shortest Mullins contender in Narciso Has and King Rasko Grey. I have suggested elsewhere that there is evidence from the end of last season that the 4yo crop could be an above average bunch and so I would be particularly keen to see Saratoga covered for the Champion Hurdle. We do already have Narciso Has in the Champion Hurdle and I believe they will feel they have unfinished business over hurdles, but he would tick a lot of boxes if he went chasing and could bring a 5yo winner finally.
Elsewhere, I am a fan of Zeus Power and whilst I see we have him in a wild one for April, I wouldn't be opposed to doubling up on him, though with these types who will be primed for Cheltenham, there is always a chance you can get a bigger price if turned over early in the season. One I'm surprised we don't have yet is Jango Baie for the Gold Cup. I felt he was ridden to get the trip last year which gave Gaelic Warrior first run. Probably wouldn't of beaten him anyway the form he was in, but he was still only a 7yo attempting a true test at the trip for the first time. He has a lot going for him, especially for a bet like this so early on.
Just some initial thoughts. I will do a deeper dive into the novice races in time and see if we can throw a few options up that are yet to be included.
