Paul Ferguson has two selections for us on Friday; Century in the Chester 14:15 and Chocala 6:05 at Ascot. Compare odds and bet.
Aidan O’Brien took yesterday’s Chester Derby Trial, the Chester Vase, with Orchestra and he can follow suit with Century (2:15) in this afternoon’s Dee Stakes.
The Montjeu colt was an impressive winner on debut at the Curragh in October and he might have found the Racing Post Trophy coming too quickly for him, just 13 days later.
Virtually pulled-up that day, he has more scope for improvement than market leader and form choice Somewhat (finished in front of him at Doncaster) and is given the vote to make a winning reappearance. The selection was available at 7-2 with Paddy Power overnight.
Down at Ascot Chocala (6:05) is worth keeping the faith in, in the 2m Centerplate Handicap, having finished third (when put up e/w here) a couple of weeks ago at Ripon.
Alan King’s four-year-old has been dropped a pound for that effort and, with the front two franking the form in this week’s Chester Cup, the Rock Of Gibraltar gelding should be tough to beat in this lower grade. He opened up 11-4 with Bet Victor and 5-2 with Bet365 on Friday evening, but will probably go off much shorter.
Friday’s selections:
2:15 Chester Century 7/2 Stan James
6:05 Ascot Chocala 2/1 PaddyPower
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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
