Paul Ferguson has one selection for us on Thursday; Venus De Milo in the York 15:40 Compare odds and bet.
Last year’s runner-up The Fugue scoped badly after flopping in the Coral-Eclipse and is the top-rated filly in this afternoon’s feature, the Darley Yorkshire Oaks, but Venus De Milo (3:40) is a filly on an upward curve and the Irish Oaks runner-up can gain her first Group 1 success here.
Aidan O’Brien could hardly have enjoyed a better day on the Knavesmire yesterday, with Foundry shaping with huge promise on his return behind Telescope, while Declaration Of War, of course, took the Juddmonte International.
With the yard in fine form, the Duke Of Marmalade (himself a winner of the International back in 2008 when the race was run at Newmarket) filly is taken to build on her recent Group 3 success at Cork.
Clearly a strong stayer at the trip, the long home straight at York ought to be right up her street and she can outstay The Fugue (yet to win at the trip) and Secret Gesture who may need dropping in distance. Wild Coco may find the ground a little lively over a trip short of her best, while stable-mate Riposte and Jim Bolger’s Scintillula have ground to make up with the selection from the Irish Oaks.
Available at 11/4 early on Wednesday evening, I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see her vying for favouritism come post time this afternoon.
Thursday’s selection:
3:40 York: Venus De Milo; 11/4 Paddy Power
Compare all today’s horse racing odds and bet at the best prices
Compare all today’s horse racing odds and bet at the best prices
Paul Ferguson’s Jumpers To Follow 2013-14
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New for 2013-14:
Grade 1 winning jockeys Nick Scholfield and Jane Mangan provide readers with their horses to follow
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
