The Daily Yankee
NAP OF THE DAY: Mister Fogpatches (1535 Ayr), 2pts win, 15/2:
Soldier Of Love is very tempting off a break and The Hollow Ginge looks overpriced on his Newbury form if he can be trusted to jump. But the Grand National again emphasised the dominance of Irish horses. That may not hold true right down the chain of command, but there are more reasons to back Mister Fogpatches than his location of training. We backed him a few years ago, successfully, when he was an improving staying hurdler. Whilst he is now rated higher as a chaser, that has been achieved whilst running almost exclusively at shorter trips. That feels like strategy, and the gloves are likely to come off now that he is stepped up to the kind of marathon trip his hurdles form suggests he needs. This looks like a plot, and one that could well have a happy ending.
Milkwood, (1425 Ayr), 11/4: The stand out on form after his excellent third in the County Hurdle which is already being boosted. He should enjoy this ground and travelled so well last time that this sharper course should suit. He holds both Anna Bunina and Thyme White on that form although the latter can improve as he was held up there on a day when those tactics didn’t pay. That said Millkwood just looks too solid.
Tamarac Du Mathan, (1500 Ayr), 7/4: useful novice who had been running well at 2m but looked even better stepped up to this trip last time. A quality individual but probably not as good as favourite Allmankind, but not only does that horse have the rigours of running 4th in the Arkle in his legs, his exuberant style would definitely prompt doubts about this added yardage.
Saint Sonnet, (1615 Ayr), 8/1: Seems to be held in high regard by his stable but hasn’t really shown that on the track. Maybe showed a glimmer though in much better company when plugging on into mid division in the Coral Cup. This quicker surface and drop in class is intriguing and it may be worth a punt.
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