It may be April Fools Day today but will punters or bookmakers have the last laugh as the Flat turf season is launched at Doncaster this afternoon? This is always a tough time of year with the balancing act of fitness off the all-weather v the generally classier sorts saved for a turf campaign, but I will weigh in with The Gatekeeper to start with in the Spring Mile.
Given a pipe opener at Newcastle on his first run in 21 months, he stayed on well over the seven furlongs to win by a couple of lengths, but as he was sent off at odds of 9/1 I am inclined to think he has improvement to come.
He does carry a 5lb penalty this afternoon but goes up by 7lb for future races, meaning he is officially 2lb well in, and if he gets a clear run (always the issue in huge fields), he ought to be difficult to keep out of the frame.
Daily Sport Recommended Bet 1/2pt Each Way The Gatekeeper 2.25pm Doncaster 9/1 most bookmakers