Paul Ferguson has two selections for us on Thursday; Twirling Magnet in the 6.45 (Southwell) and Wonder Of Wonders 8.25 (Tipp).
The fact that AP McCoy heads from Hereford to Southwell for their evening fixture on Thursday looks significant, with the champion taking three rides at the Nottinghamshire track.
The first of which is Twirling Magnet (6:45) who can get off the mark at the first time of asking over timber in the competitive looking 2m4f maiden hurdle.
The son of Imperial Ballet showed signs of greenness on his debut back in October, but was still able to land a Worcester bumper in taking fashion, and he looks open to more improvement than most in the line-up.
Closely related to the smart Massini’s Maguire, the five-year-old clearly likes decent ground and, though he comes up against another youngster I like in the shape of Batonnier (probably one to consider from an each-way perspective), he is taken to maintain his 100% record.
The fact that McCoy hangs around at Hereford for the bumper, where he teams up with a newcomer from the Rebecca Curtis yard (the pair do well in this sphere), is equally significant and there is every chance he will be leaving on a high note.
He will be short, however, and if you’re prepared to back a ‘shortie’ I’d head over to Ireland for the concluding maiden at Tipperary.
Wonder Of Wonders (8:25) didn’t receive the best of luck in running when failing to strike on her seasonal return, but Aidan O’Brien’s filly remains a smart prospect and can get off the mark now she races over middle distances for the first time.
She holds entries in all the big races, including the Oaks, and she is beautifully bred by Kingmambo out of All Too Beautiful, who was a very smart mare in her own right and a full sister to the mighty Galileo.
Thursday selections:
6:45 Southwell Twirling Magnet
8:25 Tipperary Wonder Of Wonders
Compare all today’s horse racing odds and bet at the best prices.