Paul Ferguson has four selections for us on Saturday; from Uttoxeter, Goodwood. Newmarket and Punchestown. Compare odds and bet.
After his stunning reappearance success in the Greenham at Newbury last month Kingman (3:50) is fancied to maintain his unbeaten record in this afternoon’s Qipco 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket.
John Gosden’s exciting Invincible Spirit colt, who was two from two as a juvenile, looks a bit special and should have too much speed for Derby favourite, Australia. The selection was trading as the 7-4 favourite overnight.
Over at Punchestown Regal Encore (5:30) looks worth another chance now he steps up in trip, in the 2m4f Sentana Sports Handicap Hurdle.
Last year’s Champion Bumper runner-up could finish only fourth in the Imperial Cup when last sighted, but he remains on a very fair mark (130) and the son of King’s Theatre should improve for the extra half-mile. He opened up 9-1 with Bet365overnight and is worth backing each-way.
At biggers odds (16-1 first show) Coral Cup fourth Smashing remains a young horse of some potential and another worth noting in a wide-open heat.
Back on home soil, Sir Michael Stoute’s Waila (2:20) appeals as the type to develop in to a smart four-year-old and she is taken to make a winning return in the Listed contest at Goodwood.
A winner in this company when the hood was applied for the first time at Newmarket last summer, the Notnowcato filly was only seen once thereafter, when only seventh of eight in the Group 1 Fillies & Mares on Champions Day. She will appreciate the drop in class and can take this before heading back in to group company – she was trading at 5-4 with Coral on Friday evening.
Up at Uttoxeter, Nathans Pride (1:35) is fancied to make a winning debut over timber, in the opening maiden hurdle.
Tim Vaughan’s six-year-old was a smart bumper performer in Ireland, before joining current connections, for whom he has contested a couple of decent bumpers at Ascot and Musselburgh.
The return to decent ground should bring about significant improvement in the chestnut, who looks to have Never Never and Germany Calling to beat; the latter was a close second to the smart Lac Fontana at Cheltenham last October, form that would be good enough to land most maidens at this stage of the season.
Saturday’s selections:
1:35 Uttoxeter Nathans Pride
2:20 Goodwood Waila
3:50 Newmarket Kingman
5:30 Punchestown Regal Encore
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Paul Ferguson’s Jumpers To Follow 2013-14
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New for 2013-14:
Grade 1 winning jockeys Nick Scholfield and Jane Mangan provide readers with their horses to follow
Last years results included:
* Leading Prospects, Arvika Ligeonniere (x3), Boston Bob, Captain Conan (x3), Champagne Fever (x2 inc Supreme Novices’ Hurdle), Glens Melody, Melodic Rendezvous, Simonsig (Arkle) & Un Atout won 13 Grade 1 novice contests between them
* My Tent Or Yours won 4 times including the Betfair Hurdle and the Top Novices’ at Aintree
* Stable Round-Up included Neptune winner The New One, Scottish Champion Hurdle winner Court Minstrel and David Pipe’s Dynaste of whom it read “could follow the Grands Crus path of last year, starting in the Steel Plate And Sections before he is readied for the Feltham” – he won both races and also scored at Aintree in April
* Across The Sea – Mount Benbulben 14/1 winner of the Grade 1 novice chase at the Punchestown Festival
* Under The Hammer – horses featured in this section included Champion Bumper winner Briar Hill (25/1) and The Liquidator, who won the equivalent Grade 1 at Punchestown – this section has been greatly increased for 2013-14
