Paul Ferguson has two selections on Saturday; Matrooh in the Doncaster 3.10 and Qawaafy in the Newcastle 7.10. Compare odds.
Will Dawn Approach stay is the big question ahead of this afternoon’s Epsom Derby and, if the answer is positive, he ought to have too much class for his 11 rivals.
Given he was trading around Evens all week, I had no intention of making him a bet, but he has eased out to 11/8 overnight and, if he gets much bigger, a chance should be taken on him lasting home.
That seems unlikely, however, so the day’s selections come from elsewhere, starting with Matrooh (3:10) who is just favoured to Remote in the Ladbrokes Download The App Handicap at Doncaster.
A course-and-distance winner on his second start, having earlier finished fourth in the Wood Ditton, William Haggas’ colt is a big individual and connections believe he will have improved again for last month’s success.
The race is working out well, too, with two of our midweek winners, Stableford and Defendant, finishing second and third, respectively. He was available at 9/2 on Friday evening with Bet Victor, while John Gosden’s Remote was trading as the general 3/1 favourite.
The Dansili colt also created a good impression when scoring at Newbury last month, though it is slightly surprising to see him dropped in trip to a mile. Both look capable of scoring in handicap company but, off a 2lb lower mark, slight preference is for Matrooh.
The same colours can be carried to success up at Newcastle this evening, where Roger Varian sends Qawaafy (7:10) for a 1m2f maiden.
The Newmarket handler has a 38% strike-rate at the venue, saddling three winners from his eight runners at the track and this half-sister to the classy Firdaws should relish the step up in trip.
The Street Cry filly is out of the Oaks winner Eswarah and the selection finished fourth behind yesterday’s Oaks placed The Lark on her second outing at two. Auction, who has won three times recently, finished third in the race and, if the step up in trip brings about the expected improvement, she ought to be difficult to beat despite taking on the colts.
Saturday’s selections:
3:10 Doncaster Matrooh
7:10 Newcastle Qawaafy
Compare all today’s horse racing odds and bet at the best prices
Order Paul Ferguson’s Jumpers To Follow 2012-13
Available hot of the press on Oct 1 2012 – 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 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)
