Ricky Bird

Ricky Bird  ( is the word, is the word....♫ ♫ ♫ ).......

The Greatwood Gold Cup - 1550 - NEWBURY
Firstly i must start by saying im on Michael Flips for this as i feel the drying conditions could see a big change in performance.
This race is no way as competitive as it appears as it is littered with poor jumpers, awkward travelers and those that often flatter to deceive , Ballabriggs is using this a warm up for the National is highly unlikely to get too involved, not completely without a chance just unlikely.
Saved by John has both the quicker ground and a raise in class to contend with so is readily overlooked.
The main players here for me will be The Knox's , Big Fella Thanks , Midnight Sail and Pepite Rose ( and of course Michael Flips )..
The Knoxs has a solid form look , likes the ground and has been keeping better company in general and does look quite a nice sort all round and will show even better with a run under its belt , was beaten when falling fto but was in for a place and does stay this trip well so has to be a leading player.
Big Fella Thanks appears to have been around forever and is lightly raced for an 11 yr old but all its 5 wins have come when there has been significant cut in the ground and i feel this may be to quick for him today so is reluctantly overlooked.
Midnight Sail is a very consistent sort that runs on any ground likes the trip ( is a C & D winner , not CD ) and will be competitive although this is his limit grade wise so for him to win he will have to race right upto the limit of his form without fail and i feel that maybe too tough an ask , a place beckons but no more.
PEPITE ROSE is the one to beat imo  another that is a separate C & D winner and this one will be much happier on this quicker surface and has possibly the strongest form on offer and with the Williams/Coleman combo in such tremendous form has to have a big big chance today.
The " Dark Horse " is probably Garynella from the Pipe team lightly weighted with a bit of form this yard are adept at getting runners into big races with little weight and winning and this should not be discounted getting a Stone + from his peers this can easily get involved in the finish and is a good EW shout.

SUMMARY : I feel The Knoxs can be taken on today , My selection ( Michael Flips ) can hopefully return to some form now on the quicker ground but it is PEPITE ROSE that is the one to beat , there are only 5 or 6 that can seriously be considered here so a good EW on any of the main protagonists should get you a decent run for your money , i will be dutching  Michael Flips & Pepite Rose and enjoying the race ;)..GL.
-RESULT = Unplaced , pants , garbage lol..sorry senor Bird ;()