Paul Ferguson has two selections for us on Tuesday; Al Boum Photo 14:20 Tramore and Starjac 15:40 at Fakenham. Compare odds and bet.
Cheltenham stages a decent card to kick-off the New Year, where the Dipper Novices’ Chase is without doubt the race of the day from a quality perspective. That contest is very much one to watch closely with the rest of the season in mind, whilst over in Ireland, there is a good-quality Listed chase at Tramore.
Although he is making his seasonal reappearance and has to concede weight to all seven opponents, Al Boum Photo (2:20) is taken to score for Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh. After just six starts over fences, the six-year-old is the up-and-coming chaser in the line-up and he progressed steadily last term, until famously running out at the Punchestown Festival. This 2m5f trip looks right up his street and he can make the perfect start to his first season out of novice company.
Back to the domestic action and Paul Webber’s Starjac (3:40) has shown enough in three starts over hurdles to suggest that he can win a maiden of this nature. He second behind Didtheyleaveuoutto over course-and-distance reads pretty well, whilst his most recent Huntingdon third has also worked out reasonably well, with the runner-up scoring next time and the winner shaping well under a penalty.
Elsewhere, I’m really looking forward to seeing Extra Mag in the opener at Exeter – given how he went through the race at Wetherby on his British debut – but he is sure to be priced up accordingly, so is likely to be one to watch with the future in mind.
New Year’s Day selection:
2:20 Tramore – Al Boum Photo; 7/4 Betfred
3:40 Fakenham – Starjac; 5/2 Bet365
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NB. All odds shown are correct at time of publishing and are subject to change.
