Paul Ferguson has three selections for us on Saturday; Baradari in the Sandown 2.05, Eagle Top in the Leicester 3.05 and Chocala in the Ripon 3.30. Compare odds and bet.
Sandown brings the curtain down on the domestic National Hunt season this afternoon and the competitive looking card kicks off with a warm 13-runner juvenile handicap hurdle.
A winner on bad ground at Newbury earlier in the season, any further overnight rain would enhance the claims of Baradari (2:05) who was last seen falling in Grade 1 company at Aintree.
Assuming he is over that tumble, Venetia Williams’ good looking Manduro gelding remains a horse of some potential and is worth backing each-way, with Paddy Power offering 11-1 early on Friday evening.
The same firm offered 11-10 about Eagle Top (3:05) overnight and John Gosden’s Newbury winner is fancied to make it two from two, despite carrying top-weight at Leicester.
The Pivotal colt came from an uncompromising position to win his maiden earlier in the month and, while he doesn’t hold any fancy entries, he looked one to keep on the right side of. The chestnut should appreciate the step up in trip and, on breeding at least, shouldn’t be inconvenienced if the ground deteriorates.
Elsewhere, Chocala (3:30) reverts to the Flat, following an aborted juvenile hurdle campaign, and is another worthy of each-way support (12-1 with Bet Victor) in the 2m handicap at Ripon.
Yet another who won’t mind any overnight rain – in fact he would relish it – the Rock Of Gibraltar gelding ran a sound race on his hurdles bow at Newbury, before flopping when last sighted at Exeter in early February.
Prior to switching codes, he had chased home one of today’s rivals, Sizzler, over 1m6f at Salisbury and he should relish the step up in trip. Alan King’s Chester Cup entry remains on a fair mark (86) and looks capable of landing a nice prize on the level, before he heads back over hurdles in the autumn.
Saturday’s selections:
2:05 Sandown: Baradari; 8/1 Paddy Power
3:05 Leicester: Eagle Top; 10/11 Paddy Power
3:30 Ripon: Chocala; 8/1 bet365
Compare all today’s horse racing odds and bet at the best prices
Paul Ferguson’s Jumpers To Follow 2013-14
Pre order now, published early September in good time for the new season:
Just £9:95 inc p&p
* order online www.cc-publishing.co.uk
* or, send a cheque payable to ‘The Racing Insider’ to PO Box 98, Liverpool L9 1WY (with address details)
Fellow Betrescue columnist and Bet Victor’s Charlie McCann says: “it really is a privilege to write the foreword for such an informative and well-researched publication, which continues to go from strength to strength.”
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
