Summer Cup 2018

Looks a solid set of entries, and it doesn’t happen too often, but I like the favourite here, Calett Mad. I knew he’d be favourite when I seen the entries, but the 8’s was a welcome surprise. Represents strong connections, and although as weak a race as you’d get, he still did everything right at Perth last time, with a nice spin over timber. Crucially, he didn’t seem to show any ill-effects from that slog in The Albert Bartlett. I’ve always liked him, and they can send him here on a very nice mark. Fairly strong fancy at that price.

I’m more than happy to have Gas Line Boy, at a mad 16’s, as backup. One of those rare types that just gets better with age, and he continued to defy the years last season. Didn’t run a bad race, and hopefully Aintree won’t have taken too much of a toll. Looks a solid each way shout to me.

The Romford Pele really benefitted from the exit of Gas Line Boy at Aintrees October meeting, and off the back of two wins, he’s hardly been hammered. Seems to have been laid out for this, and warrants serious respect. He also benefitted from the switch to Tom George, from the Rebecca Curtis yard, and who knows if he can get more improvement out of him. Has to be considered.

Rebecca Curtis lost plenty of good ones, not just Pele, and she finally got back on track in The Scottish National. Relentless Dreamer wouldn’t be a complete lost cause, but it’s her Geordie Des Champs who really appeals, as he’s a horse I’ll be keeping a very close eye on this season. I was close to going “three handed” in this, as the 10’s was fair. This is race where I could see me having a saver, and he looks a realistic choice at that price. One to watch for JP.

JP could also have a real old favourite of mine in there, in the shape of Another Hero, who, after a spell on the sidelines, won a very competitive heat at Cheltenhams April Meeting. Bit below par behind Virgilio last time, but I’d fancy him to be closer this time around, and I reckon he’s a horse who hasn’t hit his ceiling. Ground should offer no problems.

Looks like rattling fast ground at the moment, and that will suit good old Ballyalton, down to the ground. He’s another coming off the back of a solid season, where he never really got his ground, and he’s a fair old price at 11’s to make the frame. He deserves another big win after a season in the mud, a season which seen him coming off the back of a long layoff.

The ground will also be of benefit to Beeves. He’s been given every chance by the handicapper, and his last two runs offer plenty of encouragement, especially the run here. In no rush to write him off, and he looked in good nick at Perth last time.

That Perth race was won by Henllan Harri, his best run for some time, and he made the frame in this last year, off of the mark he’ll run off on Sunday, so his place prospects are obvious.

Hopefully we’ll see a competitive field, and there are plenty of others to chew over, but those were the ones who really jumped out. Ballyalton, Geordie Des Champs, Beeves, and Another Hero make loads of appeal, and all could be a saver on the day, but for now, an early play on this pair.

Calett Mad 8’s Win
Gas Line Boy 16’s EW

GL