Paul Ferguson has three selections for us on Saturday; including Breden in the Newmarket 5.20. Compare odds and bet.
All eyes at Haydock this afternoon will be on one-time Derby favourite Telescope who really needs to be taking care of his nine rivals if he is to be seriously considered for races such as the Juddmonte International at York later this month.
His belated return to action at Leicester was pleasing enough last month, but that came in a three-runner conditions event and the Galileo colt has much more on his plate this afternoon, despite the fact that this year’s Rose Of Lancaster Stakes looks no more than an average Group 3.
Sir Michael Stoute’s charge could easily outclass this lot but, given he was trading at 4/6 and 8/13 on Friday evening (had opened up Evs earlier in the week), I’d rather take a chance on the quirky but talented Noble Mission (2:55) as an each-way alternative.
Lady Cecil’s four-year-old has raced exclusively over 1m4f on his last eight starts and has often flattered to deceive, arriving on the scene travelling strongly and failing to find as much as expected. The drop in trip could well help today (although there would ideally be more front-runners in the field) and the slight ease in the ground, to good, will also aid his cause. At 15/2 overnight with the sponsors and with BetVictor, he looks capable of being in the shake-up.
The extended 1m2f handicap on the card is a cracker, but looks devilishly difficult to solve, with plenty of John Smith’s Cup form on offer. David O’Meara’s Awake My Soul is one to note at rewarding odds; he travelled strongly in the York contest and would appreciate a strong pace, though he did disappoint at Doncaster last time.
For the day’s handicap selection, it’s off to headquarters, where Breden (5:20) is fancied to score for the first time on turf, following a smart maiden success on the all-weather at Kempton last month.
The Shamardal colt quickened stylishly that evening and the third and fourth have both won maidens this month to give the form some substance. An opening mark of 82 doesn’t seem overbearing and, though William Buick has stated in his AtTheRaces blog that he will do 1lb overweight, he is worth supporting at 4/1 with BetVictor or Paddy Power.
Earlier on the card Refectory (4:45) is taken to build on a promising debut on this track by taking the Poppy Maiden Stakes for the in-form Andrew Balding.
The Danehill Dancer colt came from last to first to chase home last week’s impressive handicap winner Urban Dance (scored off 90) and, with the step up to 1m4f sure to bring about further improvement, he sets a fair standard under Richard Hughes.
Balding saddles a really interesting newcomer in the opening fillies’ maiden in the shape of Casual Smile, who is out of the same connections’ Oaks winner, Casual Look, by superstar Sea The Stars. The stable’s juveniles tend to need their first outing, but she holds a Fillies’ Mile entry and is certainly one to note in the market, in what should be an informative affair.
Saturday’s selections:
2:55 Haydock Noble Mission (each-way)
4:45 Newmarket Refectory
5:20 Newmarket Breden
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Paul Ferguson’s Jumpers To Follow 2013-14
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Last years results included:
* Leading Prospects, Arvika Ligeonniere (x3), Boston Bob, Captain Conan (x3), Champagne Fever (x2 inc Supreme Novices’ Hurdle), Glens Melody, Melodic Rendezvous, Simonsig (Arkle) & Un Atout won 13 Grade 1 novice contests between them
* My Tent Or Yours won 4 times including the Betfair Hurdle and the Top Novices’ at Aintree
* Stable Round-Up included Neptune winner The New One, Scottish Champion Hurdle winner Court Minstrel and David Pipe’s Dynaste of whom it read “could follow the Grands Crus path of last year, starting in the Steel Plate And Sections before he is readied for the Feltham” – he won both races and also scored at Aintree in April
* Across The Sea – Mount Benbulben 14/1 winner of the Grade 1 novice chase at the Punchestown Festival
* Under The Hammer – horses featured in this section included Champion Bumper winner Briar Hill (25/1) and The Liquidator, who won the equivalent Grade 1 at Punchestown – this section has been greatly increased for 2013-14
