Paul Ferguson has two selections for us on Sunday; Emerging Talent 13:35 and Vaniteux 15:15 both at Cheltenham. Compare odds and bet.
Despite being burdened with top-weight Vaniteux (3:15) can land the feature at Cheltenham on Sunday, the StanJames.com Greatwood Hurdle.
Nicky Henderson’s lightly-raced five-year-old is the one horse in this field who looks capable of mixing it at a higher level and is certainly up to winning a valuable handicap such as this off 147.
The one worry is whether or not ground conditions deteriorate any further, as soft ground appeared to blunt his speed at Kempton last Boxing Day. The Voix Du Nord gelding showed he acts around here when third in a hot renewal of the Supreme Novices’ and he can outclass this field.
Earlier on the card Emerging Talent (1:35) is taken to land the Grade 2 novice hurdle for Paul Nicholls and Sam Twiston-Davies.
An impressive bumper winner in Ireland last term, the imposing five-year-old made a pleasing debut for current connections when runner-up to Shelford (won the Silver Trophy next time) at Chepstow.
Too keen over 2m4f, it isn’t a huge shock that Nicholls drops him back in trip this afternoon and the soft ground and stiff finish ought to play to his strengths over 2m. Admittedly, he will need to hurdle a little more fluently, but if he settles better he looks capable of taking advantage of the 7lbs he receives from the previous winners in the race.
Sunday’s selections:
1:35 Cheltenham Emerging Talent 7/4 Skybet
3:15 Cheltenham Vaniteux 9/2 StanJames
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