Paul Ferguson has two selections for us on Thursday; Forever Now in the 13:40 and Arab Spring 14:40 both at Newmarket. Compare odds and bet.
Though he has a little to find on official ratings with a few of today’s rivals Forever Now (1:40) created a good impression when winning his maiden last time and can provide John Gosden with a fourth Bahrain Trophy in a row.
The Galileo colt is a full-brother to 2012 winner Shantaram and, given how he stayed on at Doncaster last time, he ought to relish the extra furlong. There was a fear that race wasn’t much of a contest at the time, but it has since worked out reasonably well with the second finishing runner-up in a Haydock handicap off 87 and the third winning a Ripon handicap off 74.
Available at 4-1 on first show last night (3-1 this morning), he looks to have Ascot winner Hartnell and Ascot second Windshear to beat. The latter is a horse I have plenty of time for, but there is plenty of pace on here and it could become a stern test of stamina.
Windshear’s stable-mate Pether’s Moon looks the each-way call in the day’s feature, the Group 2 Princess Of Wales’s Stakes, but preference is for market leader Arab Spring (2:40) who continues to go from strength to strength.
The Monsun colt impressively disposed of 17 rivals in the Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes last time and deserves this step up in class. While more is required in this company, it isn’t the strongest contest and Ryan Moore stays loyal, despite Hillstar having the stronger bare form.
Pether’s Moon was just behind Hillstar at Royal Ascot, having travelled strongly for a long way behind Telescope, and he can go well at double-figure odds.
Thursday’s selections:
1:40 Newmarket Forever Now 3/1 Bet365
2:40 Newmarket Arab Spring 5/4 William Hill
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Paul Ferguson’s Jumpers To Follow 2013-14
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New for 2013-14:
Grade 1 winning jockeys Nick Scholfield and Jane Mangan provide readers with their horses to follow
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
* My Tent Or Yours won 4 times including the Betfair Hurdle and the Top Novices’ at Aintree
* 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
* Under The Hammer – horses featured in this section included Champion Bumper winner Briar Hill (25/1) and The Liquidator, who won the equivalent Grade 1 at Punchestown – this section has been greatly increased for 2013-14
