Paul Ferguson has two selections for us on Saturday; Laser Light in the 12:25 and Yanworth 14:40 both at Ascot. Compare odds and bet.
Things didn’t quite go to plan for the Alan King yard at Cheltenham last weekend, but his stable remains in good order (saddled three winners on Tuesday and Wednesday) and he will be hoping for a winning return from Yanworth (2:40) in the Coral Hurdle this afternoon.
A high-class novice last season, he won at this meeting before going on to run out a thoroughly impressive winner at Cheltenham on trials day. Runner-up to Yorkhill in the Neptune, when he was taken wide throughout and most of the yard’s runners struggled during festival week, but he remains a hugely exciting prospect and this looks the ideal starting point.
Zarkandar goes well here and finished runner-up to Annie Power in this race three years ago, but I would be hugely disappointed if Yanworth couldn’t take his measure and, as this has been the target for some time, you would assume that King has him tuned up for this first start out of novice company. The selection was trading at Evs overnight and he looks an odds-on shot to me.
Earlier on the card, King’s Laser Light (12:25) can make it two from two over hurdles in the opening novice contest.
An impressive bumper winner at Towcester on his debut for current connections, the five-year-old defied greenness when winning his maiden at Chepstow, running on strongly at the line. The step up in trip and easier ground should be very much in his favour here and he can take the step up in class in his stride.
The third race on the card looks a competitive novices’ handicap chase, in which it is worth having a look at both Potters Corner, who shaped well on debut, and Dueling Banjos, who looks potentially over-priced at 12-1. He was two from two when racing right-handed over hurdles and, despite top-weight, looks capable of going well for Kim Bailey and David Bass.
Saturday’s selections:
12:25 Ascot Laser Light 13/8 Bet365
2:40 Ascot Yanworth 1/1 BetVictor
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