Paul Ferguson has two selections for us on Saturday; Archbishop in the 2.30 at Haydock and Grumeti in the 3.20 at Goodwood. Compare odds and bet
Haydock’s Betfred Silver Bowl Handicap looks as competitive as ever but, at 7/1 with the sponsors early on Friday evening, it is worth siding with Archbishop (2:30) who looked an unlucky loser at Newmarket on his reappearance three weeks ago.
Brian Meehan’s colt looked to run out of stamina on the rain softened ground that day, but today’s quicker surface and easier mile will be in his favour and he remains a youngster of some potential.
On debut at two he beat the smart Farraaj (won his next two before being placed in three Group races including the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf) at Sandown, before finishing midfield in York’s Group 3 Acomb Stakes.
The selection remains a pattern performer in waiting and, despite a 5lbs rise for that recent defeat, he can score for Martin Dwyer. With all bookmakers offering ¼ odds to 4 places, he’s worth backing each-way at 7/1.
Goodwood’s 32Red.com Handicap looks a cracking contest between Ithoughtiswasover and Grumeti (3:20) who did us a good turn when winning well at Ascot a fortnight ago.
Mark Johnston’s top-weight is improving fast and looked really good when winning the Listed Braveheart Handicap at Hamilton last Friday, so he isn’t passed over easily, but Alan King’s high-class juvenile hurdler made a really pleasing return to the Flat recently and gets 10lbs from his main market rival.
There is little between the pair on a line through Local Hero, but preference is for Grumeti who looked as though he’d be even better in a more strongly run race such as this and he run well at the track last September.
The one possible negative is the drying ground, but Ithoughtitwasover also has to prove his ability to handle a quicker surface and Alan King wouldn’t risk Grumeti unless the ground was deemed suitable. The selection was trading at 9/4 with Betfred on Friday evening.
Saturday’s selections:
2:30 Haydock: Archbishop (each-way 7/1 Betfred)
3:20 Goodwood: Grumeti (9/4 Betfred)
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