Paul Ferguson has three selections for us on Friday; Echo Springs in the Doncaster 12:15; and Missed Approach (1.30) and Wait For Me (3.45) at Newbury. Compare odds and bet.
The concluding maiden hurdle looks a fairly deep contest at Newbury, but Wait For Me (3:45) looks an exciting recruit and can strike for Philip Hobbs, who saddled Copper Bleu to win this back in 2008.
Third in the Champion Bumper having won a soft ground contest at Ascot on debut, the son of Saint Des Saints won’t be inconvenienced by conditions and he can provide jockey Richard Johnson with another winner at the meeting, following Thursday’s opening-day double.
Nicky Henderson’s Buveur D’Air is likely to prove a stern opponent to the selection, who opened up 9-4 with Bet365 on Thursday evening, while Bun Doran created a deep impression when winning a bumper on his debut under rules at Chepstow recently. He is respected and warrants each-way consideration, though he faces a couple of classy sorts with stronger bumper form here.
Earlier on the card and as was the case yesterday, the Grade 2 novices’ chase looks very competitive. The pair I like here are Three Musketeers and Maximiser (both available at 9-2 first show), but both had quite hard races on their respective recent debuts, so the race is best watched.
Unowhatimeanharry won well yesterday and would be an intriguing runner in the Pertemps qualifier, for which he has been chalked up the short-priced favourite. The shape of the race will obviously change should he come out but, at the time of writing, Missed Approach (1:30) looks worthy of each-way support, having opened up 9-1 on Thursday evening.
The former winning Irish pointer won a Uttoxeter bumper and a soft-ground Ffos Las maiden hurdle on his firs two starts for Warren Greatrex, who saddled the bumper winner here yesterday, before finishing third to the aforementioned Three Musketeers.
He returns after almost a year off on what appears a fair mark (123) and, with the stable in good form, a bold show can be expected.
Up at Doncaster Charbel is the most exciting horse on show, but is likely to be pretty short in division two of the novices’ hurdle. In the opener Echo Springs (12:15) looks worth a small each-way interest, on his handicap debut for Danielle McCormick and the in-form Brian Hughes.
The five-year-old cost current connections £100,000 on the back of his Aintree bumper win for John Quinn and he has shown promise in four starts over hurdles to date, notably on his reappearance back at Aintree in October.
The step back up in trip is in his favour here and, despite having gone up 5lbs for two defeats this term, he remains on a mark from which he should be able to win. The son of Kayf Tara opened up 14-1 with Ladbrokes.
Friday’s selections:
12:15 Doncaster: Echo Springs; 14/1 Paddy Power
1:30 Newbury: Missed Approach; 7/2 Betfred
3:45 Newbury: Wait For Me; 5/4 bet365
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