Paul Ferguson has one selection for us on Sunday; Caponata in the 2.10 at Curragh and antepost tip Febel Fitz in Galway Hurdle. Compare odds and bet.
The Curragh stages a cracking renewal of the Group 1 Irish Oaks on Sunday in which Great Heavens is likely to be sent off favourite for John Gosden and William Buick.
The sister of Nathaniel has done us a couple of good turns of late and she has optimum conditions for her debut at this top level. It’s therefore hard to take her on, but she faces easily her stiffest test to date here with Ribblesdale winner Princess Highway and Epsom heroine Was making this a very warm contest.
For that reason the feature contest is best watched and instead the best bet on the card is the unbeaten Caponata (2:10) in the Group 3 Kilboy Estate Stakes.
Dermot Weld’s Selkirk filly could easily have lined up for the Oaks herself but, with the trainer relying on Princess Highway in that contest, she is strongly fancied to make it three from three here.
Most progressive and open to plenty of improvement, the selection opened up at 9/4 with Betfred early on Saturday evening. I wouldn’t be surprised if she were sent off much shorter.
There is also a decent jumps card over in Ireland at Tipperary, where one horse that should be watched closely is the returning Back In Focus, who makes his debut for Willie Mullins in the 3m hurdle.
The Grade 3 Grimes Hurdle is the best race on the card and it could well be a warm up contest for the Galway Hurdle on 2nd August. Captain Cee Bee beat The Real Article in this race last year and they head the market once again this afternoon.
Rebel Fitz is a horse I’m very fond of, however, and he could easily go close here despite appearing up against it at the weights. Rather than back him at around 3/1 today, I’d much rather place an ante-post bet on him for the Galway Hurdle (in fact I did earlier in the week), because if he wins today or even just goes close at these weights, he will no doubt shorten for the big upcoming handicap.
Michael Winters’ charge was last seen winning on the Flat and can be backed at 16/1 for the Galway Hurdle this morning, though the safer option is 14/1 with Ladbrokes who are offering Non-Runner No Bet. If he bombs out here he probably won’t line up on Thursday week, but you’re safe in the knowledge you will get your money back if that is the case.
Sunday’s selections:
2:10 Curragh Caponata (1/1 Bet365)
Ante-Post (Galway Hurdle) Rebel Fitz
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- 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)
