Paul Ferguson has three selections for us on Wednesday; Mega Yeats 12:00 Wetherby, Glen Forsa 13:20 Kempton and Darcy Ward 13:25 at Wincanton. Compare odds and bet.
Boxing Day could be a huge day for trainer Ruth Jefferson, who runs her stable-star Waiting Patiently in the feature event from Kempton, but she also saddles the exciting Mega Yeats (12:00) in the opener up at Wetherby and she is taken to make a winning hurdles debut.
A Carlisle bumper winner, she went on to finish runner-up in a Listed event at Cheltenham and looks a really nice type for mares’ only novice hurdles. The step up in trip should suit and she shouldn’t have a problem handling the more testing conditions, given she won her Point-to-Point on soft/heavy.
Down at Kempton – where there are a trio of Grade 1s, which include a stellar looking renewal of the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase – I like the chances of Glen Forsa (1:20) in the novices’ handicap chase, for Mick Channon and Johnny Burke.
Burke was aboard the six-year-old when he made a pleasing winning debut at Chepstow and, although he is now 11lbs higher and in deeper company, he looked one to keep onside last time. Given how he went through that race, the drop in trip shouldn’t pose any problems and he seems versatile in terms of ground conditions.
If the rain stays away from Wincanton, Jack Barber’s Darcy Ward (1:25) would be of interest in the Pertemps Qualifier, despite racing from 1lb out of the handicap. The five-year-old travelled well for a long way on his recent return at Market Rasen, suggesting that he may have needed the run and I think this slightly shorter trip will also suit. He disappointed here once last season, but I think that was down to the heavy ground (likes a decent surface) and he remains on an attractive mark. He should be available at an each-way price.
Boxing Day selection:
12:00 Wetherby – Mega Yeats; 1/2 Ladbrokes
1:20 Kempton – Glen Forsa; 9/2 Paddy Power
1:25 Wincanton – Darcy Ward; 33/1 Bet365
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