Paul Ferguson has one selection for us on Saturday; Trackmate in the Haydock 13:50. Compare odds and bet.
A fairly ordinary Saturday, with the pick of the action coming from Haydock, with the Merseyside track staging a decent mixed card.
The highlight on the card is the valuable Swinton Hurdle, in which Vibrato Valtat ought to go well if the ground deteriorates, though he’s among several that have been on the go for sometime, so the race is best watched.
Of the Flat contests, the once-raced pair of Matalleb and Active Spirit stand out in the mile handicap. The former looked one to keep onside when scoring at Newbury, while the latter fairly flew home when the penny dropped over 6f at Pontefract.
Earlier, the opening 3m handicap hurdle looks a competitive affair, in which Big Hands Harry could easily bounce back from his odds-on flop at Bangor, over this longer trip and on easier ground. Any further overnight rain would probably aid his cause, but he looks short enough for a race of this nature and, at the prices, an each-way chance is taken on Trackmate (1:50) who was available at 14-1 overnight.
James Evans’ hat-trick seeking eight-year-old would, in contrast to the market leader, appreciate a dry evening, as he has looked a much-improved performer on decent ground on his last two outings.
A winner at Aintree a year ago, he scored at Cheltenham’s October meeting, in a race that has worked out reasonably well since, and arrives here a fresh horse. Clearly held up throughout the winter, a chance is taken on his wellbeing, provided the ground isn’t too bad.
Saturday’s selection:
1:50 Haydock : Trackmate; 16/1 Betvictor
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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
