PESTO – 7.45 NAVAN

0.5 PTS EACH WAY BET ADVISED AT 20/1 WITH THE FOLLOWING BOOKMAKERS PAYING 5 PLACES…

I think the 4 year old gelding Pesto is well-handicapped on several of his runs last year and will be well suited by today’s extra 2 furlongs on his first attempt at 1m2f on his debut for his new yard in Ireland. He shaped a few times last year like this trip could bring about improvement as he was getting out-paced early in his races over a mile before running on strongly late on. Being by New Approach who won the Derby (1m4f) and also won two Group 1’s over this shorter trip we can be optimistic he will stay this stiff 1m2f at Navan, which will take a bit of getting, on what is going to be officially and genuinely “Soft” going.

I have watched several replays of his races from last year, have delved deep in to his form, and I’m convinced he is well treated off his current mark of 90 receiving 11lb from the hot Favourite, Patrick Sarsfield. His most recent run was at Kempton last September where he finished just 1.5 lengths behind dual subsequent winner Sir Busker who he was giving 1lb to. Sir Busker was running off a mark of 89 and is now officially rated 13lb higher at 102 while the selection gets to run off the same mark of 90 here. He was purchased after the race by current connections for 68,000 GNS which I’m hoping, in time, will prove a shrewd investment. Pesto also had the same result against Kuwait Currency finishing 1.5 lengths 2nd of 11 behind him at Kempton, again giving him 1lb over a mile, last August. Kuwait Currency produced form figures of 2122, off higher marks, in better races, in his next 4 runs and was rated a stone higher (103) just 4 months after narrowly beating Pesto off a mark of 89.

Pesto is versatile ground-wise, won after a similar long break on seasonal debut last year (307 days as opposed to 284 this evening), he has a decent draw in stall 12, and his new yard have been amongst the winners recently (Last 14 days: 2-10, 20%). I considered Napping Pesto but this left-handed track is an unknown and, while I think he has been crying out for tonight’s 1m2f, he has yet to prove his stamina at the trip. I’m hoping for a big run and can certainly see him going off shorter than his current 20/1. Good luck!

Jibber Jabber

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