Paul Ferguson has three for us today: Gatewood at Epsom (2.15), Young Palm (5.30, D Royal) and Salsify (8.20, Stratford). Compare odds and bet
It’s Oaks day at Epsom and I have had Kissed on my mind for the fillies’ Classic since last year, but there appears to be a strong possibility she will be pulled out due to the ground being on the quick side.
If underfoot conditions are deemed suitable, I certainly wouldn’t put anyone off backing her, especially now she is available at an each-way price of 15/2 (Hills).
However, the safest bet on the card, in terms of us having a definite runner, is Gatewood (2:15) who is fancied to land the Investec Wealth & Investment Handicap for John Gosden and William Buick.
The lightly raced four-year-old won with a bit up his sleeve at York’s Dante meeting 16 days ago and, though the track is a slight worry (did roll around a bit when hitting the front last time), he looked a horse to keep on the right side of.
Paddy Power opened up at a tasty looking 9/2 on Thursday afternoon and, though that was long gone, the early evening 7/2 on offer with Hills and Betfred still appealed as value.
The feature on Stratford’s evening card, the 54th running of the Champion Hunters’ Chase, can go the way of Cheltenham winner Salsify (8:20) who wasn’t stopping over the Gold Cup trip when winning at the Festival, so should get home over 3m4f on this easier track.
The Irish raider was ridden with plenty of confidence that day by Colman Sweeney and the seven-year-old will appreciate the quicker ground this evening. A faller at Fairyhouse’s Easter Festival, a clear round should make him tough to beat and the selection was trading at 2/1 with Paddy Power last night.
Over in Ireland, last week’s runner-up Landero will be a warm order in the opening maiden hurdle at Down Royal (8/11 on last night’s tissue), but he is taken on with hurdling debutant Young Palm (5:30) with Barry Geraghty an eye-catching jockey booking.
The five-year-old was an impressive bumper winner at Ayr in January and, after finishing fifth in a hot race at the Curragh earlier this month, he continued his progression to finish third at Limerick just 12 days ago.
The son of Great Palm would have appreciated a stronger gallop that day and he should get that here. Though he will probably want further in time, he can make a winning debut over timber.
Friday’s selections:
2:15 Epsom Gatewood
5:30 Down Royal Young Palm
8:20 Stratford Salsify
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- AL FEROF won Supreme Novices’ Hurdle 10-1
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- (plus Grade 1 in Ireland 16-1)
- JAMES DE VASSY won Lanzarote Hurdle 8-1
- LONG RUN won King George 9-2, Gold Cup 7-2
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- Peddlers Cross (Fighting Fifth Hurdle)
- Medermit (Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase)
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