Get on monster each way double

Paul Ferguson has two selections from Punchestown for us on Thursday; Lieutenant Colonel in the 5.30 and Solatentif at 7.45. Compare odds and bet.

Another cracking card from Punchestown on Thursday, where the highlight is the Ladbrokes World Series Hurdle, in which both Hurricane Fly and Jezki step up in trip to 3m for the first time.

I’ve never been of the opinion that either wanted to go this far, so am prepared to take them on, despite them holding an obvious class angle (and, I must admit, the heart would like to see The Fly win).

Sandra Hughes’ Lieutenant Colonel (5:30) had looked the best 3m hurdler in Ireland earlier in the season and, though he was too keen for his own good in the World Hurdle last time, he is given another chance here at 10-1 with Paddy Power.

Third at this meeting last year behind Vautour and Apache Stronghold, the drying ground shouldn’t be an issue and, if the front two in the market fail to see out the trip as I suspect might be the case, he can pick up the pieces.

At even bigger odds Zabana was another I thought capable of going well, but this represents a step up in class as well as in trip for Andrew Lynch’s six-year-old, who ran a blinder when runner-up to Aux Ptits Soins in the Coral Cup last time.

Later on the card, the concluding bumper looks a decent event, despite just the eight going to post.  Indeed, if they all line up, the race has a good feel to it from an each-way perspective.

Market leader Yorkhill was impressive at Gowran Park last month, but that smooth success came over 2m2f on soft ground, so may find things happening a fair bit quicker this evening.

Nicky Henderson sends two over and both look exciting long-term prospects, having won the two divisions of the same Kempton bumper during February.  Newsworthy, who is part owned by Susannah Ricci and Michael Buckley, won division one and was backed as if defeat were out of the question before the race.  Green in the closing stages, the son of Presenting should improve plenty for that and the fourth has come out and won since to frank the form.

Ok Corral won in a slightly slower time, but arguably created a slightly deeper impression.  He stayed on too strongly for a well-touted John Ferguson newcomer and Alan King’s The Unit, who came out and won a valuable Newbury bumper last month.  It would not be a huge surprise if either won, but I’m struggling to split the pair.

At the prices, I’m prepared to chance Solatentif (7:45) each-way, with Bet365 paying ¼ odds and offering 11-1 about Henry De Bromhead’s runner.  Off the track since Christmas, when he finished third behind Champion Bumper fifth Vigil and yesterday’s Grade 1 winner Bellshill, the five-year-old had earlier created a good impression when winning a good ground Killarney bumper last July.

The Solon gelding ought to enjoy conditions this evening and could have been slightly over-looked in the market.

Thursday’s selections:
5:30 Punchestown: Lieutenant Colonel; 10/1 Paddy Power
7:45 Punchestown: Solatentif; 11/1 Stan James

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