Paul Ferguson has two selections for us on Saturday; Forza Milan in the Aintree 13:40 and Bacardys 15:30 at Naas. Compare odds and bet.
Only sixth on his reappearance FORZA MILAN (1:40) looks capable of stepping forward with that run under his belt, at Aintree this afternoon.
Jonjo O’Neill’s five-year-old – a full brother to Grand National hero One For Arthur – tanked through the race at Worcester and he improved with racing last term. Following a sixth at the same track in a bumper last October (race worked out really well), he split Gayebury and The Worlds End on his hurdles debut, before chasing home Aintree winner Rather Be at Huntingdon.
He got off the mark in a Chepstow maiden and looks open to considerable improvement over this sort of trip. He remains potentially well handicapped and, if Killian Moore can get him settled in the early stages, he looks capable of going well despite the rise in class. Any overnight rain would enhance his claims.
There is a fascinating card over in Ireland at Naas, where Red Jack and Paloma Blue are a couple I am excited to see on their respective hurdling debuts. The former looks a very exciting prospect, while the latter is a strapping individual who should make a chaser in time and faces a stiff test here, with the opposition including classy Flat recruit Pallasator.
Later on the card there is a cracking beginners chase, in which BACARDYS (3:30) is taken to make a winning debut over the larger obstacles, for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend.
The six-year-old looks every inch a chaser in waiting and he was unbeaten in four completed starts as a novice hurdler last term, twice winning in Grade 1 company. Last seen beating Finian’s Oscar and Death Duty – both successful over fences already this season – at the Punchestown Festival, he makes his reappearance with the Mullins yard hitting top form.
Saturday’s selections:
1:40 Aintree – Forza Milan; 6/1 StanJames
3:30 Naas – Bacardys; 11/10 Bet365
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