Paul Ferguson has two selections for us on Thursday; Swallowshide in the Wincanton 2.25 and Western Boy in the 3.35 at Thurles. Compare odds and bet.
Though Gone Too Far was beaten yesterday, Emma Lavelle’s Swallowshide (2:25) is still fancied to make a winning hurdling debut at Wincanton this afternoon.
The four-year-old finished third to Alan King’s runner on his racecourse debut in a warm Kempton bumper in May (the useful Hannibal The Great split the pair) and the selection stayed on in eye-catching fashion late in the day.
From the family of the smart Kentford Grey Lady and The Land Agent, the Hernando gelding should relish today’s trip and he looks to be open to any amount of improvement. Lumpys Gold sets the standard on his fair second at Exeter, but Swallowshide is fancied to take his measure under Aidan Coleman.
Up at Market Rasen, Aintree runner-up Drum Valley could improve for the step up in trip but he would need any rain to stay away and this looks a competitive little event, in which each-way claims could be made for Kaysersberg, who hails from a bang in-form yard and remains on a fair mark.
Over in Ireland, Trifolium should be difficult to beat in the opening beginners’ chase, but is returning from a lengthy lay-off, so the day’s second selection comes in the concluding bumper.
Pat Fahy’s Western Boy (3:35) has had three chances already, but boasts some pretty strong form indeed and should be up to getting off the mark today. Runner-up in Listed company on debut, the son of Antonius Pius went on to finish fourth to the smart Very Wood at Punchestown, before bumping into another useful prospect, Wicklow Brave, at Tipperary.
A reproduction of the last two pieces of form should be strong enough to take most midweek bumpers at this time of year and he ought to be difficult to beat under Katie Walsh.
Thursday’s selections:
2:25 Wincanton: Swallowshide; 2/1 bet365
3:35 Thurles: Western Boy; evens bet365
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