Paul Ferguson has two selections for us on Tuesday; Faugheen 4:20 and Morning Assembly 6:40 both at Punchestown. Compare odds and bet.
Despite dropping back in trip Faugheen (4:20) is fancied to maintain his 100% record in the 2m Herald Champion Novice Hurdle, on the opening day of the Punchestown Festival.
Willie Mullins’ impressive Neptune winner will need to jump more fluently over today’s minimum trip, but the son of Germany has the pace and, if hurdling proficiently, he should have too much class for this lot.
Stable-mate Valseur Lido and Pat Fahy’s Western Boy look viable each-way alternatives, in what looks a pretty strong renewal in terms of depth. The selection was available at 4-5 with Boylesports overnight.
Later on the card, the same connections are represented by both Ballycasey and Djakadam in the Growise Champion Novice Chase, with Ruby Walsh opting to ride the latter.
He remains an exciting young prospect and was moved nicely throughout the Jewson before falling four out, but he steps up markedly in distance here and is taken on with course specialist Morning Assembly (6:40).
Two from two over fences here (also won a bumper at the track and the 3m Grade 1 novice hurdle here at last year’s Festival) Pat Fahy’s seven-year-old shaped really well when third in the RSA last time.
Hampered when coming down the hill, he ran on again late on and, having had a fairly light campaign, he can be expected to back it up here. With plenty of money around for Djakadam, the selection was out to 3-1 with several firms last night.
Tuesday’s selections:
4:20 Punchestown Festival Faugheen 4/6 Bet365
6:40 Punchestown Festival Morning Assembly 3/1 Skybet
Compare all today’s horse racing odds and bet at the best prices
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Last years results included:
* Leading Prospects, Arvika Ligeonniere (x3), Boston Bob, Captain Conan (x3), Champagne Fever (x2 inc Supreme Novices’ Hurdle), Glens Melody, Melodic Rendezvous, Simonsig (Arkle) & Un Atout won 13 Grade 1 novice contests between them
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* Stable Round-Up included Neptune winner The New One, Scottish Champion Hurdle winner Court Minstrel and David Pipe’s Dynaste of whom it read “could follow the Grands Crus path of last year, starting in the Steel Plate And Sections before he is readied for the Feltham” – he won both races and also scored at Aintree in April
* Across The Sea – Mount Benbulben 14/1 winner of the Grade 1 novice chase at the Punchestown Festival
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