Paul Ferguson has two selections for us on Sunday; Rathvinden in the Cork 12.45 and Beeves 12:55 at Kelso. Compare odds and bet.
A useful novice hurdler last term Beeves (12:55) already appears to be bettering his achievements over timber as a novice chaser and went down all guns blazing at Aintree last time, having won at Carlisle on debut.
Donald McCain’s six-year-old was trying to give Shutthefrontdoor 5lbs last time and the winner certainly did the form no harm at Cheltenham last month, while last home Yesyoucan won next time, before shaping well behind Eduard last Sunday.
The step up to 3m should suit the selection, who can return to winning ways at Kelso in the Paris Pike Novices’ Chase; he was trading at 11/8 last night.
Ten minutes earlier Rathvinden (12:45) is fancied to make a winning hurdles debut over at Cork, where he really impressed when winning a bumper three weeks ago.
The son of Heron Island was completing a seven-timer for Willie Mullins that day and he can kick-start another big day for the trainer.
Mullins saddles both Sir Des Champs and Arvika Ligeonniere in the John Durkan at Punchestown and he also introduces the highly-touted Black Hercules in the concluding bumper, a race that he has won in each of the past two seasons.
One of his that I want to take on, however, is Dogora who opened up 6/4 favourite on Saturday evening for what looks a very warm beginners’ chase. I have been waiting for both Sizing Gold and Bright New Dawn to jump a fence for a long time now, so it is rather frustrating they run in the same race on debut. However, if you’re a layer or like to take on a market leader, this is one to try and get – I will be disappointed if one of the newcomers can’t take the scalp of the favourite.
Sunday’s selections:
12:45 Cork Rathvinden 5/6 Bet365
12:55 Kelso Beeves 5/4 Stan James
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Paul Ferguson’s Jumpers To Follow 2013-14
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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
