Paul Ferguson has two selections for us on Thursday; Flying Angel in the 4.25 at Perth and Great Order in the 5.20 at Newmarket. Compare odds and bet.
Jumps fans are in for an early season treat at Perth this afternoon, where the past two winners of Cheltenham’s Champion Bumper go head-to-head in the Racing Post Readers Award Novices’ Hurdle.
The form of Moon Racer probably reads better at this stage, but that had a year to work out, whereas Ballyandy did little wrong in six starts in all last term. The latter, given his age, is the better long-term prospect of the pair for me, but today’s contest is a watching brief (unless he eases closer to the 2-1 marker).
Stable-mate Flying Angel (4:25) should be difficult to beat in the 2m4f novices’ chase and I’m slightly surprised that he isn’t trading at odds-on.
Nigel Twiston-Davies’ Imperial Cup winner has the build of a chaser and a clear round really ought to suffice, despite the fact that he gives away a little in experience to several of today’s opponents.
The grey, who also finished third in the Betfair Hurdle and the Grade 1 Mersey Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree, scored over this trip on good ground first time out last October and is taken to provide his trainer with a fourth success in the race since 2010. He was trading at 11-10 overnight.
Down at Newmarket Great Order (5:20) can complete the hat-trick in the mile Molson Coors Handicap.
An easy maiden winner over two furlongs further, the Distorted Humor colt ran out a taking winner over this trip at Ascot on his handicap debut earlier this month and he looks capable of defying the 4lb rise. The selection was trading at 9-4 on Wednesday evening.
Thursday’s selections:
4:25 Perth: Flying Angel; 11/10 Skybet
5:20 Newmarket: Great Order; 2/1 Skybet
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