Saturday double pays at 3/1

Paul Ferguson has two selections for us on Saturday including Champagne West in the Cheltenham 12:50. Compare odds and bet.

After an encouraging second here last month Hargam (12:15) is fancied to get off the mark in Cheltenham’s opening JCB Triumph Hurdle Trial.

The grey travelled supremely well before going down to a more experienced rival, when appearing to blow up after the last. The third failed to advertise the form eight days ago (too bad a run to be true) but the Sinndar gelding can provide Nicky Henderson with a first winner in the race since 2005.

David Pipe’s Stars Over The Sea is very much respected, but he will need to hurdle more fluently in this company and the selection receives a handy 7lbs.

Stars Over The Sea’s owner Roger Brookhouse should be in the winners’ enclosure shortly after, however, when Champagne West (12:50) can make it two from two over fences, in the 2m5f Ryman Stationery Novices’ Chase.

Philip Hobbs’ six-year-old made an impressive start to his chasing career here last month, albeit with six of the fences omitted due to the low sun, and, though he is a little less experienced than his opponents, he should be tough to beat.

The Westerner gelding does need to prove himself on better ground, but he shaped well when fourth in the Albert Bartlett and I don’t see it as an issue, personally.

Saturday’s selections:
12:15 Cheltenham Hargam
12:50 Cheltenham Champagne West

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