Paul Ferguson has two selections for us on Saturday; Tombstone in the Fairyhouse 1:45 and Admiral Barratry in the Fontwell 4:15.
Fontwell stages a decent novices’ hurdle this afternoon, in which a case can be made for several of the 14 runners.
The pair I like are Emma Lavelle’s Gunfleet and Nick Williams’ Admiral Barratry (4:15) who is favoured at the prices and should be backed each-way (8-1 into 13-2 on Friday evening).
Touching on Stratford bumper winner Gunfleet first, he scored at 16-1 on debut but impressed with the manner in which he did score (wore a hood); however, some of the Lavelle runners have looked in need of their reappearance.
The selection impressed me physically when seeing him at Haydock on his sole British start as a juvenile, were he unseated Lizzie Kelly down the far side. Runner-up to a smart sort on his only start in France, the four-year-old appeals as the type that this stable does well with – we have seen time and again Williams giving a second-season novice plenty of time and he looks an interesting long-term prospect.
Over in Ireland Tombstone (1:45) can kick-start an important day for trainer Gordon Elliott, by winning the opening beginners chase at Fairyhouse – the trainer saddles Champion Bumper winner Fayonagh later on the card.
The seven-year-old was sent off favourite for the Coral Cup in March on the back of his defeat of Jezki in the Red Mills Trial Hurdle at Gowran and he has long looked a chaser in waiting. If he jumps proficiently on this debut, his class ought to see him come out on top.
Saturday’s selections:
1:45 Fairyhouse: Tombstone; 7/4 Ladbrokes
4:15 Fontwell: Admiral Barratry; 4/1 Ladbrokes
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