Paul Ferguson has two selections on Saturday; A Media Luz (3.00 Ascot) and Time For Rupert (3.20 Wetherby). Compare odds
Wetherby stages the best renewal of the Bet365 Charlie Hall Chase for a few years this afternoon and Time For Rupert (3:20) is given the nod over Diamond Harry and Poquelin.
The latter is the highest rated horse in the race, but he tries an extra half-mile for the first time.
Diamond Harry is a high-class individual, who has won first time out in each of his five seasons racing and appears to relish a flat track. His success in the Hennessy Gold Cup last November was most impressive, but he would prefer slightly easier ground and there have been a few negative comments from Nick Williams in recent weeks.
With that in mind, preference is given to last year’s smart novice Time For Rupert, who looked a high-class recruit when winning his first two starts over fences last season. Clearly not right when beaten at the Festival, it should be remembered he was runner-up to Big Buck’s in the 2010 World Hurdle and he can put down his Gold Cup marker this afternoon.
The selection can be a stuffy individual, but this has been the target for some time and Paul Webber is likely to have his stable star fairly straight.
Down at Ascot the Listed WilliamHill.com Handicap Hurdle looks really competitive and it is worth giving a chance to A Media Luz (3:00) despite the fact she ended her novice campaign with a disappointing effort at Aintree.
Nicky Henderson’s four-year-old was a high-class filly on the Flat in France, where she finished sixth in the French Oaks on her final outing, and she gradually got her act together over hurdles after the turn of the year.
Her form tailed off again in the spring, but it is hoped she has strengthened up over the summer and, if she can learn to settle a bit better, there is no doubt she can land a valuable prize off a mark of 132.
A sharp 2m on decent ground look perfect for her and, despite the fact that some of Henderson’s runners have looked in need of their first run of the season, she is worth taking a chance on at the prices.
For those wanting to back her each-way, the sponsors offer the biggest price this morning, but Bet365 are paying 4 places (despite there only being 13 runners) so you may want to take the 7/1 on offer with that firm.
Saturday’s selection:
3:00 Ascot: A Media Luz (8/1 Hills)
3:20 Wetherby: Time For Rupert (4/1 Hills)
Compare all today’s horse racing odds and bet at the best prices
Order Paul Ferguson’s Jumpers To Follow 2011-12
Available hot of the press on Oct 1 2011 – Only £9.95!
Send your name and address with a cheque payable to The Racing Insider for £9.95
The Racing Insider,
PO Box 98,
Liverpool L9 1WY
Last Year’s Tips Included 40 Leading Prospects: £499.80 profit to a level £10!
- AL FEROF won Supreme Novices’ Hurdle 10-1
- BENSALEM won Stewart Family Handicap 5-1
- BOBS WORTH won A Bartlett 15-8, 4/4 for year
- CAPTAIN CHRIS won Arkle Trophy 6-1
- FIRST LIEUTENANT won Neptune Investment 7-1
- (plus Grade 1 in Ireland 16-1)
- JAMES DE VASSY won Lanzarote Hurdle 8-1
- LONG RUN won King George 9-2, Gold Cup 7-2
- OSCAR WHISKY won Aintree Hurdle 6-1
- Peddlers Cross (Fighting Fifth Hurdle)
- Medermit (Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase)
- FINIAN’S RAINBOW (Maghull Novices’ Chase)
- WISHFULL THINKING (Manifesto Novices’ Chase)
