Paul Ferguson has one selection for us on Tuesday; Annacotty in the Chepstow 15:40. Compare odds and bet.
Chesptow welcomes in October with a really interesting jumps card to kick off the National Hunt season at the Welsh venue and trainer Martin Keighley saddles a trio of interesting runners on the card.
Firstly Creepy holds sound claims in the opening maiden hurdle, having shown fairly strong form last term, though the same can be said of Richard Lee’s Gassin Golf, who was runner-up at the Punchestown Festival on his latest start over hurdles. The pair of 131-rated hurdlers set a fairly decent standard here.
Keighley’s Johnny Og looked good when making a winning racecourse debut at Catterick last January and was subsequently slightly disappointing in a warm bumper at Kempton in May. The four-year-old is better than that bare form and could bounce back in the concluding contest, but this is potentially a warm affair and Southfield Vic is very much one I’m looking forward to this season.
A bumper winner at Exeter in April, when trained by Bob Buckler, the son of Old Vic has switched stables to join his close relation Southfield Theatre in Paul Nicholls’ yard and I expect him to develop in to an above-average sort. However, four-year-olds invariably find it difficult carrying penalties in such events, plus Nicholls puts up his daughter, Megan, this afternoon and her inexperience is also a concern from a punting point of view. There is enough doubt, to make this a watching brief.
Earlier in the afternoon, Keighley throws Annacotty (3:40) in the deep end a little on his chase debut, but the five-year-old promises to make up in to a smart novice chaser and is worth chancing on an opening mark of 128, for this 32Red Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase.
Ian Popham’s mount has plenty going for him, in that he is a former winning Irish pointer, won at the track over hurdles and also scored over the fixed brush hurdles at Haydock in March. After that, the Beneficial gelding finished fourth behind Whisper in a decent contest at Cheltenham and he has always been viewed upon as a chaser.
Despite the fact he faces more experienced rivals here, he looks worth a bet having opened up 4/1 with Bet Victor and Bet365 early on Monday evening.
Tuesday’s selection:
3:40 Chepstow: Annacotty; 4/1 bet365
Compare all today’s horse racing odds and bet at the best prices
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Paul Ferguson’s Jumpers To Follow 2013-14
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* 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
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