Twentytwo’s Taken @ Fakenham

Paul Ferguson has one selection for us on Thursday; Twentytwo’s Taken in the Fakenham 15:00. Compare odds and bet.

The pick of Thursday’s action comes from Gowran Park, where Willie Mullins looks to hold an extremely strong hand throughout the card.

In the feature Goffs Thyestes Handicap Chase Djakadam remains on a mark from which he can plunder a big prize, while it would be no surprise to see Briar Hill leave the form of his recent reappearance behind in the Grade 2 Galmoy Hurdle.

The former Champion Bumper winner ran well for a long way that day, before fading after a fairly serious error two out.  He runs here instead of in the Cleeve at Cheltenham on Saturday, but has to concede 7lbs to Monksland this afternoon and that won’t be easy.

Later on the card, be sure to pay close attention to Mullins’ recent Fairyhouse winner Stone Hard in the concluding bumper, as he is a horse with a big reputation and he certainly looked an exciting prospect on his debut under rules.

The former Mullins-trained Smashing is another for short-priced backers to consider, in the beginners’ chase.  The grey, who finished fourth in the Coral Cup, has shaped with promise behind both Don Poli and Un De Sceaux so far this season and also has experience over fences in his native France.

On the domestic front Teaforthree is an intriguing runner in the hunters’ chase at Warwick, where he ought to be really difficult to beat under leading Irish amateur, Jamie Codd.  He is another who will be priced up accordingly.

The day’s selection comes from down at Fakenham in the shape of Twentytwo’s Taken (3:00) who makes her debut for David Pipe in the mares’ maiden hurdle.

A dual bumper winner for Stuart Crawford, she bumped into a smart mare in Listed company last time, after which her current connections shelled out £150,000 to acquire her services.

The daughter of King’s Theatre won’t be inconvenienced by the soft ground and would appear to have Ben Case’s Midnight Jazz to beat.  A useful bumper performer in her own right, the five-year-old has the advantage of having had two runs over hurdles already, but Pipe’s newcomer is favoured in the first time hood.

Thursday’s selection:
3:00 Fakenham: Twentytwo’s Taken; 8/13 @ Skybet

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