The John Durkan looks a good race on paper, but there’s
a lot of questions for the three at the top
fastorslow - love the horse but found he’s had to be ridden to perfection to win this, and without JJ on board. Last year, he maroon beat Appreicate It who had a terrible time of it over fences as a novice, but similar to Torando Flyer a few seasons ago, Willie’s able to train one hard and fit for this race
I think Fact To File is being preped for the gold cup, and needed the run last season first time out. Willies comments today didn’t fill me with confidence and also just don’t like backing BANC winners in this first race in open company
GDC was said to be coming out a few weeks later than planned, very hard to back him first time out. Target is the DRF and GC
There’s only one other horse in this race that interests me, that’s Grangeclare West. Very lightly raced, but was impressive in his second chase run where he went close to being fav for the BANC imo. Found cast at the DRF, would have went up against the horse that won the arkle and the horse that won the banc. Not bad company to be put up against, sadly we didn’t find out how he would have faired
Think he’ll suit this shorter distance, and with his longevity questionable, think connections are eyeing this race and (possibly, I think) the King George as their main targets
Backed to win tomorrow, TW and KC @100/1 and TWAF @ 100/1 hills
