Paul Ferguson has two selections on Saturday including Full Shift in the 5.35 at Punchestown. Compare odds and bet.
All eyes will be on Annie Power on the final day of the Punchestown Festival, as Willie Mullins’ star attraction returns from her final flight Cheltenham tumble in this afternoon’s Grade 1 Mares Champion Hurdle.
Later on the card there are a couple of really competitive handicaps, with the Setanta Sports Handicap Hurdle a cracking looking contest, in which a case could be made for several.
In the same pink and green spots as Annie Power, Arbre De Vie is very much one to note dropping in trip after travelling well in the Albert Bartlett, while useful dual-purpose performer Celestial Prospect has probably been laid out for this as he likes the ground like a road.
The one I have plumped for, however, is Full Shift (5:35) who was returning from a year off when only eighth in the Martin Pipe at Cheltenham, beaten some 28 lengths by Killultagh Vic, who won a Grade 1 here earlier in the week.
Nicky Henderson’s six-year-old shaped as if he would benefit for the outing, however, and he is capable of going well off a 1lb lower mark; Paul Carberry is an eye-catching booking, as his quiet style might just suit this keen son of Ballingarry.
Charlie Longsdon saddles a couple of runners at Punchestown, but would have stronger claims of hitting the score-sheet at Uttoxeter, where his Midnight Shot should go well in the opening maiden hurdle.
Stable-mate Germany Calling (2:20) won that contest 12 months ago and is fancied to land the 2m beginners’ chase on his debut over fences and his first start for 154 days.
The six-year-old likes a decent surface, so has presumably been saved for a spring campaign. He has a bit to find on hurdles form with Evan Williams’ runner Upsanddowns but the selection has always jumped hurdles like a horse that will take to the larger obstacles and he can make the perfect start under Aidan Coleman.
Saturday’s selections:
2:20 Uttoxeter Germany Calling
5:35 Punchestown Full Shift
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