I was told months ago that The Nephew was being aimed at this race today which just confuses the issue for me.
He won easily enough in April at Newton Abbott and then was given a 2 months break
I'm told on his return he was as big as a barn door when Will Kennedy rode him on his return to Newton Abbot. All thing considered he gave him an excellent pipe opener, allowing him to do his own thing and despite jumping right at some of his fences he barely touched a twig all the way round until blowing up after the 3rd last.
Job done McCoy who had had got off him at Newton Abbott and rode the winner stepped in at Market Rasen next time and The Nephew won as he liked jumping from fence to fence.
Over hurdles The Nephew wouldn't have gotten anywhere near AP's mount plus he's been raised 10lbs since Market Rasen but I doubt if a stone would have stopped him winning last time.
It's a Gimme also won last time up but at 2/5 by 1/2 length against nothing but to be fair AP had plenty horse under him and won cleverly. He remains on the same mark hence his price today.
It would seem both have been laid out for this. One an up and coming young chaser who looks like in time he could go to the top and another who would have eaten this field for breakfast over hurdles a couple of seasons ago.
I reckon AP would have been happy to ride either and there's certainly not 10 point between them in the betting.
I just prefer The Nephew who jumps like stag and is likely to force the pace which could find more than a few of these out.
The Nephew currently 14.5 or was
Saver; It's a Gimme
Seems like along way for the Frenchies to send a horse to get his ar$e kicked by Al Kazeem
Roger Charlton's horse are running really well and considering his stable star has won 1st time up twice before I can't see him not being fit enough to beat this below average looking field today
Al Kazeem 3.05
I fancy Llanarmon Lad to defy his penalty for his very impressive recent win when Ryan Moore rode him.
While Moore will be trying to work his magic on Fury who I wouldn't back with bad money Cam Hardy takes valuable 5lbs of Llanarmon Lad's back.
A smart booking by his trainer should see him win again
Llanarmon Lad 6.2 (Nap)