Paul Ferguson has three selections for us on Saturday; Walk Away in the Leopardstown 13:25, One for Rosie 13;50 and Thyme Hill 15:00 both at Newbury. Compare odds and bet.
Newbury stages the best of the domestic action on Saturday, where Thyme Hill (3:00) is fancied to maintain his 100% record over hurdles, in the Grade 1 Challow Novices’ Hurdle.
Third in the Champion Bumper in March, he beat Fiddlerontheroof (easy winner since) in the Persian War on his hurdles debut, and followed up in the Hyde at Cheltenham, where he gave weight away to all seven opponents. Versatile in terms of ground conditions, Philip Hobbs’ five-year-old looks very uncomplicated and should be difficult to beat.
Earlier on the card, the handicap over the same distance looks a decent event, in which Sevarano is an obvious contender. He was actually being considered for the Challow, but runs here off 134 instead.
The runner-up failed to frank his Newbury win last week, however, and a chance is taken on the returning One For Rosie (1:50) who progressed steadily as a novice last term. Runner-up in the EBF Final in March (winner won on Thursday off 137), Nigel Twiston-Davies’ grey was then beaten just 5½ lengths in the Grade 1 Mersey Novices’ Hurdle and his mark of 145 looks fair. If he is wound up for this belated reappearance, he looks capable of running a big race, although he wouldn’t want much more rain.
Over at Leopardstown, Kemboy looks the one to beat in the Savills Chase, but he hasn’t been seen since the Punchestown Festival and this looks a competitive renewal. Earlier on the card, the beginners chase looks a good contest and it is hoped that the Willie Mullins-trained Allaho, who looks an exciting prospect, makes the market. Again, this is his first start since Punchestown and if the price allows it, I would suggest backing Walk Away (1:25) each-way, following an encouraging debut over fences.
He really warmed to the task as the race went on and having travelled up well, was only put in his place by Faugheen (Grade 1 winner on Thursday) late on. The son of Black Sam Bellamy has plenty of ground to make up with Allaho from Punchestown, but that was his third start in the space of two months and he only made his Rules debut in March, so he achieved an awful lot in a short space of time. Hopefully, he can put his experience to good use here, under Robbie Power. With the likes of Canardier, Easy Game and Rhinestone also in opposition, I would be hopeful of getting a price.
Saturday’s selections:
1:25 Leopardstown – Walk Away; 4/1 BetVictor
1:50 Newbury – One For Rosie; 4/1 Ladbrokes
3:00 Newbury – Thyme Hill; 5/6 PaddyPower
Compare all today’s horse racing odds and bet at the best prices
NB. All odds shown are correct at time of publishing and are subject to change.
