Paul Ferguson has two selections for us on Friday; Minella Suite in the 12:00 at Kelso and Our Duke in the 1.55 at Leopardstown. Compare odds and bet.
This afternoon’s Grade 1 Neville Hotels Novice Chase is as strong a staying novice chase as you could wish to see at this time of year, in which OUR DUKE (1:55) deserves plenty of respect.
Jessie Harrington’s useful novice hurdler always threatened to make up into a better chaser and he made the perfect start to life over fences, when winning easily at Navan.
The six-year-old jumped well and, though the runner-up failed to advertise the form yesterday, he might well improve for today’s longer trip and is worthy of each-way support.
Another who might go well at even longer odds is MINELLA SUITE (12:00) in the opener at Kelso – he opened up 14-1 last night.
Rose Dobbin’s five-year-old was 13 lengths behind favourite Applaus when well beaten by Elgin and Dubai Angel (both won on Boxing Day) at Newcastle.
The result doesn’t tell the whole story, however, with this former Irish pointer travelling well into the straight before seemingly being outpaced.
Runner-up to the smart Baden in his maiden point (Kalondra was third and he won an Ascot handicap hurdle off 127 earlier this month) he might well improve for today’s extra three-quarters-of-a-mile and there was definite promise in that debut run.
It could be that he comes into his own in handicaps in time but, at the odds, he is worth a small each-way interest.
Friday’s selections:
12:00 Kelso – Minella Suite; 14/1 Skybet
1:55 Leopardstown – Our Duke; 13/2 Paddy Power
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