Paul Ferguson has two selections for us on Friday; Mr Whipped in the 14:25 and Dostal Phil 13:15 both at Cheltenham. Compare odds and bet.
Cheltenham’s Open meeting gets underway with a cracking card on Friday, where the exciting Mr Whipped (2:25) makes his chasing debut in a competitive renewal of the Steel Plate And Sections Novices’ Chase.
A stiff two-and-a-half miles looks a good starting point and, provided that the ground isn’t too quick, conditions look in his favour. The five-year-old looked a really nice prospect when winning at Newbury and when beating Paisley Park (a winner recently off 140) in Grade 2 company at Warwick. Pulled-up in the Albert Bartlett when last seen, this former pointer can make up into a leading novice chaser and he is taken to make the best possible start, despite there being plenty of strength in depth in terms of opposition.
Earlier on the card Dostal Phil (1:15) can land the novices’ handicap hurdle for Philip Hobbs and JP McManus.
Runner-up to a potentially smart sort on his recent return to action – form which was franked earlier in the week when the fifth home won – he looks to have gotten in here off a lenient mark and the first time hood will hopefully help him settle, as he was keen last time. The bigger field should help on that score, too, and he was well backed when the markets opened yesterday – he was available at 6-1 in places and generally 5-1, but was quickly coming in for support.
Friday’s selections:
1:15 Cheltenham – Dostal Phil; 9/4 bet365
2:25 Cheltenham – Mr Whipped; 3/1 Paddy Power
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