Paul Ferguson has two selections for us on Monday Kruzhlinin in the Carlisle 3.30 and Ballyalton in the Southwell 3.50. Compare odds and bet.
Ian Williams’ dual bumper winner Ballyalton (3:50) makes his hurdles debut in the concluding novices’ hurdle at Southwell this afternoon and the five-year-old is fancied to maintain his unbeaten record.
The five-year-old won his Irish point by 15 lengths before joining Williams and John Westwood, father of golfer Lee, for whom he won a Warwick bumper by 18 lengths on his debut under rules.
He followed up at Doncaster, where he beat Kaysersberg (winner at Kempton last week) by a neck, though it had looked like he would again win by a wide margin for most of the race. It was probably only greenness that prevented him from doing so and he looks an exciting prospect for the season.
Imperial Leader chased home a couple of nice horses in his two bumpers last term and is likely to give the selection most to think about.
Up at Carlisle, his former stable-mate Kruzhlinin (3:30) can make a winning debut for Donald McCain on his chasing bow in the 2m beginners’ chase.
Previously owned by Million In Mind, the five-year-old ended last season on a roll winning twice at Perth in April and May and he appeals as the type to do even better over the larger obstacles.
His current connections shelled out £80,000 for him at the Doncaster sales and McCain could barely be in better form at present.
Monday’s selections:
3:30 Carlisle: Kruzhlinin; 11/8 Ladbrokes
3:50 Southwell: Ballyalton; Evens Skybet
Compare all today’s horse racing odds and bet at the best prices
Order Paul Ferguson’s Jumpers To Follow 2012-13
Available hot of the press on Oct 1 2012 – Only £9.95!
Send your name and address with a cheque payable to The Racing Insider for £9.95
The Racing Insider,
PO Box 98,
Liverpool L9 1WY
Last Year’s Book Results – Leading Prospects:
- SPRINTER SACRE – Unbeaten – winner at Aintree & Cheltenham
- SIMONSIG – Winner at Aintree & Cheltenham
- CINDERS AND ASHES – 10/1 winner of Supreme Novices Hurdle
- BOBS WORTH – 9/2 winner of the RSA Chase
- MENORAH & SILVINIACO CONTI – Both Aintree Winners
- SIR DES CHAMPS – Unbeaten inc 3/1 Jewson Cheltenham Winner
- FINGAL BAY – Won 4 times inc Challow Hurdle
- RAYA STAR – 10/3 winner at Wetherby, 12/1 Ladbroke Hurdle winner, 15/2 Scottish Champion Hurdle winner
- AMBION WOOD – 14/1 EBF Final Sandown winner
- CHAMPION COURT – 6/1 G2 Dipper Novices Chase winner
- PALACE JESTER – 14/1 winner at FFos Las
- SWINCOMBE FLAME – Hat-trick winner inc Lanzarote Hurdle at 9/2
- TEAFOR THREE – 5/1 NH Cheltenham Chase winner (Manifesto Novices’ Chase)