Paul Ferguson has one selection for us on Sunday; Duc des Genievres in the Fairyhouse 15:20. Compare odds and bet.
Martin Pipe winner Blow By Blow is likely to head the betting for the Grade 2 novice hurdle at Fairyhouse on Sunday, but conceding 3lbs to his seven opponents might not be totally straightforward for Gordon Elliott’s seven-year-old.
In fact, I think this is one race that can go the way of Willie Mullins, in their private battle for the trainer’s championship – the pair are responsible for all nine runners in the Grade 1 Ryanair Gold Cup Novice Chase on the card.
Scarpeta finished just in front of Duc des Genievres (3:20) when the pair were behind Samcro in the Ballymore, but marginal preference is for the grey, who moved well for a long way and also shaped with promise behind the hugely exciting winner in the Deloitte. The five-year-old also ran well behind Next Destination on his Irish debut and he might well be up to winning for the first time for his current connections.
Elliott also saddles former high-class Flat performer Pallasator who also finished behind Next Destination – at a lower level (in a maiden) – earlier in the campaign. The nine-year-old might not be the force of old, but he bolted up in a maiden last time and arrives here fresher than most. He is respected, but that Ballymore form stands out.
Sunday’s selection:
3:20 Fairyhouse – Duc des Genievres; 3/1 PaddyPower
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