Had my first antepost bet in this race... Lalor at 33/1 (bet365).
I was at Aintree when he won the bumper the year before last and was really taken with him that day. He's an absolute brute of a horse and looks every inch a 2m Chaser. Really think fences could be the making of him, and the fact he is with such a small stable means he's overpriced and somewhat overlooked in my eyes.
Bit of an in and out season over hurdles last time, he looked as if he might win all three of his races at Exeter, Ascot and Chelts, travelling like the best horse in the race, only failing to pick up close home each time. Great to see him handle Chelts so well in the race he was beaten by Western Ryder, and the pair were nicely clear and showed too much toe for Summerville Boy.
Obviously he disappointed in the Betfair Hurdle, but was friendless in the market and happy to forgive him one bad run. Bounced back to form in no uncertain terms in the Grade 1 Novice at Aintree and that was an excellent performance. Struggle to really see why he's a bigger price than Vision de Flos personally.
I think he has been running well on soft ground, but will likely be better on better ground. Set to make his chase debut at Exeter next week in the race Yanworth won last year. Obviously there is a danger he could be a JLT horse, but he's not available in the Any Race markets and breeding does suggest the minimum trip will be the way to go with him.