Paul Ferguson has two selections for us on Sunday; Linelee King in the Kelso 3.00 and Midnight River in the Uttoxeter 4.16. Compare odds and bet.
Whilst most of the focus will be on the Arc on Sunday, there is a decent National Hunt card at Uttoxeter, where Emitom meets Monsieur Lecoq in what promises to be a cracking beginners’ chase.
The maiden hurdles should be worth watching as all three look competitive, although arguably the concluding contest over 2m4f is the weaker of the three. Dan Skelton likes to introduce a nice horse at the Midlands track and Midnight River (4:16) showed promise in both starts in bumpers last season. On debut he was just one place behind Lord Baddesley (winner for our column on Friday) in a race which subsequently worked out well, and he then finished in front of Tupelo Mississippi (won next two) in another decent event at Wetherby. Expected to improve for stepping up in distance, he looks a nice recruit and the Skelton yard remain in good order.
Of the opposition, Shantou Express is respected on bumper form, but Kim Bailey’s yard hasn’t really got going yet, and his stamina will be tested up in trip, especially if the rain (which is forecast) does arrive. He should strip fitter for his recent reappearance at Stratford.
Olly Murphy sends three horses up to Kelso and Linelee King (3:00) can make the most of the 6lbs he receives from Blakeney Point in the 2m novices’ hurdle. A soft ground bumper winner at Sedgefield, the grey jumped particularly well when winning his Point-to-Point in Ireland, and will relish any rain that the Borders track gets over the next couple of days. The more this becomes a test, the more it will favour the five-year-old, who can make a winning start.
Sunday’s selections:
3:00 Kelso – Linelee King; 10/11 Betfred
4:16 Uttoxeter – Midnight River; 1/1 Bet365
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