Paul Ferguson has two selections for us on Saturday; Moscow Mannon (12.50) and Quito De La Roque (1.05). Compare odds and bet.
The bookmakers favour Nicky Henderson over Paul Nicholls in the two 2m Grade 1s from Sandown this afternoon, with Sprinter Sacre and Captain Conan both trading around 2/1-on overnight with their main market rivals, Santcuaire and Hinterland, 5/2 and 10/3 respectively.
Of the pair trading at really short odds, I’d much prefer to back the brilliant Sprinter Sacre in the Tingle Creek as I will be hugely disappointed if he relinquishes his 100% record over fences this afternoon. Those looking ahead to the future should note that the Tote offer 13/8 about him winning today and also landing the Queen Mother Champion Chase. An impressive success here could see him trading odds on across the board for that contest come 3:10 this afternoon.
For the day’s sole domestic selection it’s up to Aintree where Quito De La Roque (1:05) is fancied to give weight away to three rivals in the Listed 3m1f chase.
Colm Murphy’s eight-year-old, who won the novice chase at the National meeting in April last year, stayed on well behind Kauto Stone at Down Royal last month and he’ll relish the testing ground and this easier company.
Donald McCain’s Across The Bay arrives here in fine form, but I will be disappointed if the Irish raider can’t give him 4lbs (officially rated 16lbs higher) and the 10/11 on offer with Hills overnight seems very fair.
Over in Ireland, Navan stages a card chock full of exciting young novices and the opening maiden hurdle is one to watch with the future in mind, as there should be plenty of winners to come out of the race.
The second race on the card, another 2m maiden hurdle, looks slightly less competitive and should go the way of Moscow Mannon (12:50) who was last seen finishing fourth behind Champagne Fever in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham.
Prior to that, the six-year-old had completed a hat-trick of bumper successes on home soil, with the son of Moscow Society looking particularly impressive on heavy ground at Fairyhouse in December and Gowran in January.
With conditions to suit, it will be disappointing if he can’t make a winning start to his jumping career with the in-form Andrew Lynch booked for debut. Lynch will be looking forward to getting back aboard Flemenstar tomorrow, but this gives him the best chance of a winner beforehand.
Later on the card, be sure to pay attention to the beginners’ chase where Ipsos Du Berlais and Marasonnien should have it between them. Again, this is yet another interesting race on a fantastic day for National Hunt fans.
Saturday’s selections:
12:50 Navan Moscow Mannon
1:05 Aintree Quito De La Roque
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Last Year’s Book Results – Leading Prospects:
- SPRINTER SACRE – Unbeaten – winner at Aintree & Cheltenham
- SIMONSIG – Winner at Aintree & Cheltenham
- CINDERS AND ASHES – 10/1 winner of Supreme Novices Hurdle
- BOBS WORTH – 9/2 winner of the RSA Chase
- MENORAH & SILVINIACO CONTI – Both Aintree Winners
- SIR DES CHAMPS – Unbeaten inc 3/1 Jewson Cheltenham Winner
- FINGAL BAY – Won 4 times inc Challow Hurdle
- RAYA STAR – 10/3 winner at Wetherby, 12/1 Ladbroke Hurdle winner, 15/2 Scottish Champion Hurdle winner
- AMBION WOOD – 14/1 EBF Final Sandown winner
- CHAMPION COURT – 6/1 G2 Dipper Novices Chase winner
- PALACE JESTER – 14/1 winner at FFos Las
- SWINCOMBE FLAME – Hat-trick winner inc Lanzarote Hurdle at 9/2
- TEAFOR THREE – 5/1 NH Cheltenham Chase winner (Manifesto Novices’ Chase)
