Paul Fergusontwo selections for us on Sunday; Presenting Percy in the Punchestown 1:40 and Dame de Compagnie in the Cheltenham 3:30.
The ground at Cheltenham on Saturday deteriorated throughout the day and it is sure to be a war of attrition out there this afternoon.
With that in mind, Special Tiara has proven easy to back and I wouldn’t be totally surprised if Cloudy Dream were to serve it up to Fox Norton in the Shloer Chase. In receipt of 3lbs and with a run under his belt, this is likely to offer Malcolm Jefferson’s grey the best possible opportunity to land a valuable prize over this sort of trip.
The day’s selection from jumps headquarters, however, comes in the Supreme Trial Novices’ Hurdle and in the shape of the exciting Dame de Compagnie (3:30) who looked smart at Uttoxeter earlier in the month.
The four-year-old has more on her plate this afternoon, but she handled deep ground in France and the 7lbs fillies’ allowance could prove crucial here. Of the opposition Slate House looked potentially useful himself when scoring over course-and-distance, whilst Better Getalong is another who will probably relish the stamina test. His record on soft or heavy reads 2111 and his only disappointing effort came on better ground in last season’s Champion Bumper.
Nicky Richards’ runner could easily outrun his odds, but the selection – who wears a first time hood this afternoon – looks ready for a test of this nature at this stage of her career and she can make it two from two in Britain. She was available at 11-10 on Saturday (Bet365).
Over in Ireland, the returning Faugheen takes centre stage at Punchestown, but the track also plays host to a couple of decent graded novice chases.
Gigginstown House Stud appear to hold a strong hand in each, with Tombstone heading the market for the Craddockstown, and stable-companion Shattered Love has made the best possible start to her chasing career, winning at both Fairyhouse and Clonmel. She is a very smart mare and is greatly respected, but it was hard not to be impressed with the way that Presenting Percy (1:40) got the job done on his chase debut at Galway and he might be difficult to beat.
Patrick Kelly’s Pertemps winner travelled sweetly and jumped with aplomb when successful in what appeared to be a warm beginners chase, and a reproduction of that might well be good enough to make it two from two. He was also trading around 11-10 on Saturday evening.
Sunday’s selections:
1:40 Punchestown: Presenting Percy; 10/11 Ladbrokes
3:30 Cheltenham: Dame de Compagnie; 11/10 888Sport
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