Paul Ferguson has two selections from the Cheltenham Festival for us on Wednesday; Envoi Allen at 1.30 and Appreciate It at 4.50.
Last year’s Champion Bumper win Envoi Allen (1:30) is fancied to maintain his 100% record, and land the opening Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle, on Wednesday.
Three-from-three over hurdles, with two of those victories came in Grade 1 company, Gordon Elliott’s six-year-old boasts plenty of experience – from both Point-to-Points and the bumper sphere – and he might be readier for this test, than several of his opponents, who look bright long-term prospects for fences.
There are plenty of interest in the other races one day two – namely the JP McManus-owned quartet of Champ, Birchdale, Defi du Seuil and Mick Pastor – but the day’s second selection, and my idea of the best bet over the first two days, is Appreciate It (5:30) in the concluding Weatherbys Champion Bumper.
Already a Grade 2 winner in this sphere, he boasts plenty of experience and was an Irish Points winner on his second start, having earlier finished third behind the aforementioned Envoi Allen. He looked a high-class prospect when winning at the Dublin Racing Festival, and I think the pair of favourites can book-end the card in style.
Wednesday’s selections:
1:30 Cheltenham Festival – Envoi Allen; 8/11 Unibet
5:30 Cheltenham Festival – Appreciate It; 2/1 Unibet
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