Paul Ferguson has two selections for us on Saturday, both running at Kempton. He fancies Nacarat at 3.00pm and Tour D’Argent at 5.15pm.
Despite him getting on in years Nacarat (3:00) is fancied to once again run a massive race at his beloved Kempton in this afternoon’s feature contest, the Racing Post Chase.
Tom George’s likable charge, who won this two years ago (147) and was runner-up last term off a 2lb higher mark, proved he is no back number at the age of 10 by leading the King George field a merry dance here last month.
The grey, or rather white as he looks these days, had all bar the brilliant Long Run off the bridle turning for home and was only collared by Riverside Theatre and Kauto Star inside the final two furlongs.
While this year’s race looks as competitive as ever, there doesn’t appear a potential young star in the line-up, and the selection could have everything in trouble from some way out.
Available at 7/1 on Friday evening, he is sure to be popular among the ‘each-way thieves’ and he looks sure to go close under his welter-burden.
In the closing event Tour D’Argent (5:15) is at the other end of his career and the four-year-old is fancied to make it two from two.
Nicky Henderson’s son of Martaline made a winning debut in a junior bumper at Newbury last month, a race the trainer is three from three in, and the step up in trip ought to bring about plenty of improvement.
Henderson boasts a tremendous 44% strike-rate with his bumper runners here in the past five seasons and leading owner Michael Buckley is two from two at the track in this sphere over the same period.
His high-class Finian’s Rainbow and smart Lush Life won here in March and April 2009 respectively, so he clearly only likes to send his better prospects to the Sunbury track.
With 12 newcomers in opposition, the selection clearly faces some unknown quantities, but he looks a very smart prospect for his powerful connections and Henderson won this race with Riverside Theatre in 2008, as well as with Chauvinist (2001) and Cappadrummin (2002) in recent years.
Saturday’s selections:
3:00 Kempton: Nacarat
5:15 Kempton: Tour D’Argent
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Last year’s selections included:
Hurricane Fly: 3/1 winner of the G1 Rabobank Champion Hurdle
Copper Bleu: 12/1 winner of the Jewson at Cheltenham
Great Endeavour: 18/1 winner of the Festival Plate
Tranguil Sea: 11/2 winner of the Paddy Power Gold Cup
Sizing Europe: 6/1 winner of the Arkle
Weapon’s Amnesty: 10/1 winner of the RSA Chase
