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A handicap hurdle over nearly 2m. MEGAN has not had much luck recently falling at Chepstow and pulling up at Doncaster. However, her run at the Welsh track suggested she’s not terribly handicapped off 120 and she should have an each-way chance here if her jumping stands up for Stuart Edmunds and Ciaran Gethings. This trip is ideal.
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If this race was 12 months ago PAISLEY PARK would be a heavy favourite. He has run one bad race and the market has deserted him. I know he is a nine-year-old, but he is a good stayer and is a confident selection. Thomas Darby has yet to prove he is an out-and-out stayer, but he did run well behind Thyme Hill at Aintree.
Editeur Du Gite got 5lbs from Sully DOc last time they met and he’s only getting 7lbs now – and Sully DOc has improved massively. He’s even gone and won at the Punchestown Festival. Sully DOc also has a win at Ascot so he’ll do me!
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You look for reasons not to back Minella Indo but there aren’t many. The Cheltenham Gold Cup was very impressive and he’s very much the one to beat. There are also a lot of sub-plots with the jockeys. It’s the least surprising thing ever that Jack Kennedy’s not allowed to ride Minella Indo. It’s like Ruby Walsh saying to Willie Mullins he’s going to ride for another trainer at Cheltenham because of one horse.
Gordon Elliott’s stable is so strong, of course Jack Kennedy is going to be there. It was clearly Gigginstown as well making the decision and they’re definitely not going to let their jockeys go up. The fact it was assumed Jack Kennedy would get off and ride suggests to me that Delta Work wouldn’t be one he was thinking would have a great chance.
If Delta Work was second favourite it certainly wouldn’t have been a given that Jack Kennedy could ride the Gold Cup winner. It’s great news for Rachael Blackmore because I know the owners of Minella Indo would be loyal. It’s great news for her because she chose to ride A Plus Tard over Minella Indo and that lost her the Gold Cup-winning ride. For all of those reasons, Minella Indo will do me!
Saturday’s Lucky 15
ASCOT 14.10 – MEGAN
WETHERBY 14:30 – PAISLEY PARK
ASCOT 14.45 – SULLY DOC
DOWN ROYAL 14.50 – MINELLA INDO
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