£20 Cheltenham double returns £262

Paul Ferguson has two selections from Cheltenham for us on Friday; Champagne West at 2.25 and Cup Final at 4.05. Compare odds and bet.

Nicky Henderson last took Cheltenham’s 2m5f intermediate hurdle with Punchestowns in 2008 and, while Cup Final (4:05) cannot be compared with that former high-class performer at this stage, he is fancied to shed his maiden tag in this afternoon’s concluding event.

By Presenting out of the classy Asian Maze, the five-year-old is bred to be very good and showed plenty of promise in a couple of starts behind Irving last season. He was last seen trailing home tenth in the Neptune and begins life in handicap company off an attractive looking mark (125).

The selection opened up 11-4 on Thursday and, unsurprisingly, that didn’t last too long. Hopefully he will ease out again slightly this morning, having been heavily backed last night.

Earlier on the card, the Steel Plate And Sections Novices’ Chase looks the strongest race run in this division so far this season. Urban Hymn did little wrong on debut and should relish the step up in trip – he is greatly respected, but the vote goes to Champagne West (2:25) who progressed steadily over hurdles last season and looks the type to do even better as a chaser.

Philip Hobbs’ six-year-old finished fourth in the Albert Bartlett in March, having earlier rattled up a hat-trick, with the form of his Warwick maiden hurdle now reading extremely well. He was available at 4-1 overnight.

Friday’s selections:
2:25 Cheltenham: Champagne West; 4/1 Ladbrokes
4:05 Cheltenham: Cup Final; 13/8 Stan James

Compare all today’s horse racing odds and bet at the best prices

Paul Ferguson’s Jumpers To Follow 2014-15
Pre order now, published early September in good time for the new season: Just £9:95 inc p&p
* order online www.cc-publishing.co.uk
* or, send a cheque payable to ‘The Racing Insider’ to PO Box 98, Liverpool L9 1WY (with address details)

Fellow Betrescue columnist and Bet Victor’s Charlie McCann says: “It really is a privilege to write the foreword for such an informative and well-researched publication, which continues to go from strength to strength.”