Paul Ferguson has three selections from Cheltenham for us on Friday; A Plus Tard at 2.50, Paisley Park at 3.30 and Simply The Betts at 4.10.
A runaway winner at the meeting last year A Plus Tard (2:50) can take the Ryanair Chase this afternoon, for Henry de Bromhead and Rachael Blackmore. Still very much on the up, after just seven chase starts, he looks the ideal type for this race, and he is readily preferred to Min and last year’s winner Frodon.
Paisley Park (3:30) is one who can retain his crown, in the feature on day three, the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle. Emma Lavelle’s stable-star has won both starts this season and he is tactically versatile, so won’t mind what the opposition throw at him. Also versatile in terms of the ground, he can join the illustrious list of multiple winners of the race.
Imperial Aura did us a good turn on day one and also franked the form of Simply The Betts (4:10) who beat him here on trials day. Now 9lbs higher, the third has also advertised that form by winning at Kempton, and Harry Whittington’s progressive novice is another who looks the right type of horse for his chosen engagement, with his prominent style of racing often a positive in this event.
Thursday’s selections:
2:50 Cheltenham Festival – A Plus Tard; 7/4 Ladbrokes
3:30 Cheltenham Festival – Paisley Park; 4/6 Unibet
4:10 Cheltenham Festival – Simply The Betts; 7/2 Boylesports
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