Paul Ferguson two selections for us on Saturday; Shraaoh in the 2:50 at York and Fabricate in the 3:15 at Chester. Compare odds and bet.
Having put him up at both Royal Ascot and Glorious Goodwood, I’m prepared to give Shraaoh (2:50) one more chance in this afternoon’s Melrose Stakes at York.
Sir Michael Stoute’s Sea The Stars colt shaped as though this longer trip would be right up his street when going down by a short head last time, before which he was backed off the boards at Ascot, only to suffer a terrible passage throughout.
He had earlier won a Newcastle maiden by 6 lengths, after finishing third behind his smart stable-mate Poet’s Word, who was successful at Goodwood, in a warm maiden at Nottingham. There is a big prize in this three-year-old and today could finally be his day.
The other one I like in this is Regal Monarch and he won’t mind any further overnight rain. Impressive at Pontefract last weekend, he looks capable of going well for Mark Johnston and Franny Norton.
The feature race over the same course-and-distance, the Betfred Ebor, looks a cracking renewal and as competitive as ever. A case can be made for several of these and Northumberland Plate winner Antiquarium looks a worthy market leader, following the defection of Ivan Grozny.
However, at the prices, I’m prepared to take a chance on Sir Chauvelin who looks capable of outrunning his odds of 33-1 (best price on Friday afternoon) towards the foot of the weights.
Jim Goldie’s smart dual-purpose performer won twice at Hamilton during May and ran a corker in the Northumberland Vase on his penultimate start, looking the winner when taking up the running. Dropped back to today’s trip when only sixth here last time, the four-year-old wasn’t favoured by the weights that day but still travelled really well for a long way and that race worked out well yesterday (second and third both winning here at York).
Up a further 8lbs from that solid Newcastle fourth, more is required here, but he handles cut in the ground and his jockey Paul Mulrennan will be on a high, following the victory of Mecca’s Angel yesterday. At the odds, Sir Chauvelin looks worth a small each-way interest.
On a form line through him, I am also prepared to back Fabricate (3:15) at Chester, who finished runner-up to Sir Chauvelin on his seasonal reappearance, when attempting to concede plenty of weight to the winner.
Michael Bell’s four-year-old went on to run on well in the Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes at Royal Ascot, from an uncompromising position, and he remains on a fair mark. The stable is in good form and Fabricate has winning form on easy ground, should the rain continue overnight (been raining heavily in the North West throughout Friday).
Saturday’s selections:
2:50 York: Shraaoh; 7/2 betvictor
3:15 Chester: Fabricate; 15/2 bet365
Compare all today’s horse racing odds and bet at the best prices
Paul Ferguson’s Jumpers To Follow
2016-2017: Just £9.95
The 10th edition will be produced in full colour for the first time and includes:
- Foreword by top National Hunt trainer, Charlie Longsdon
- In-depth analysis of Paul’s 40 Leading Prospects for the season
- Additional ‘Horses to Follow’ from Ireland
- Stable Round-Up (Horses to Follow from more than 60 stables from around the country)
- Horses to Follow from several leading jockeys – Jamie Codd (Champion Irish Point-to-Point rider), Jane Mangan, Nick Scholfield & Harry Skelton.
- Q&A with industry experts – Graham Cunningham (RUK / C4), Tony Calvin (Betting Journalist), Frank Keogh (BBC)
Charlie Longsdon
***PUBLISHED END OF AUGUST***Order your copy now – Just £9.95
