AP advice a Gimme for Geraghty

Barry Geraghty plans to bend Tony McCoy's ear ahead of It's A Gimme's bid for back-to-back victories in the Betfred Summer Plate at Market Rasen on Saturday.

onjo O'Neill's eight-year-old won the big pot 12 months ago under the now-retired champion jockey.

However, that was off a handicap mark of 132 and he will need to defy 143 if he is to be successful again.

Lightly raced since his big win, he showed he was coming back to the boil at Stratford over an extended two miles at the end of May and should be more at home over another four furlongs.

"He's up in the weights compared to last year, which will make life more difficult," said Geraghty.

"But he had a nice run the other day and he has the course form in the book, which is a big plus.

"He's got more on his plate but hopefully he'll run well again.

"I'm sure I'll be talking to AP about him to get the lowdown."

Baby Mix appears to have been around for years but is still only seven.

Now with Warren Greatrex, he burst on the seen as a juvenile hurdler with Tom George, winning the Adonis Hurdle at Kempton.

A spell in the wilderness followed before he was switched to Greatrex, with an easy win on his chasing debut suggesting the ability still remained.

He ran well at the Punchestown Festival and was narrowly beaten last time out at Stratford, but Greatrex believes the key is having him very fresh.

"He's been in good form since he came back from a foot injury," said the Upper Lambourn handler, who enjoyed a breakthrough season last year.

"Obviously he ran very well at Punchestown. I didn't think he was at his best at Stratford. I thought that race may have come a bit quick after Ireland. He's freshened up now.

"I think a flatter track and going right-handed will suit him and the ground should be spot-on.

"He should be thereabouts, hopefully."

Keith Reveley runs Brave Spartacus, who mixes hurdles and fences with good success.

"He's in great form. He's done nothing wrong all year so we'll have a go," said the Saltburn handler.

"The track and the ground and everything should be suitable and James (Reveley, son) can do the weight no problem."

Top weight is Martin Keighley's Champion Court, now 10 years old but seemingly back in the form of his novice days after a gutsy win over hurdles last time out.

Champion trainer Paul Nicholls runs Valco De Touzaine, while David Pipe is represented by Dell' Arca.

Conquisto, Hollow Penny and Carrigmorna King are others to note in a classy renewal.


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