Paul Ferguson has two selections for us on Tuesday; King Of Realms in the 1:35 at Taunton and Oscar Rose in the 2:35 at Doncaster. Compare odds and bet.
It really is hoped that Doncaster survives an early morning inspection, as there are some intriguing races on the card, starting with the chasing debut of last season’s smart novice hurdler Mount Mews in the opening event.
Brian Hughes will also be aboard the exciting Ravenhill Road if the meeting gets the go-ahead, in a fairly competitive looking novices’ hurdle. Brian Ellison’s seven-year-old, who created a big impression in bumpers last term, has to concede weight to all here, including 7lbs to French Crusader and Not That Fuisse. Both of those rivals also looked useful when winning their bumper and the form of the latter’s Wetherby second reads well now, with Fin And Game following up under a penalty last week. Ravenhill Road will need further in time, but this should tell us a fair bit more.
In terms of a bet on the card Oscar Rose (2:35) remains on a fair mark and, despite the ground being softer than ideal, looks the one to be with in the mares’ handicap hurdle.
Fergal O’Brien’s six-year-old showed a fair level of form in bumpers last term (runner-up to Dame Rose at Aintree in a Grade 2) and has shown promise over hurdles so far.
Badly hampered and left with nowhere to go when unseating Paddy Brennan at Cheltenham last time, this looks a much more winnable race and, given that the ground at Doncaster is never usually too bad, she is fancied to get off the mark. At 4-1 with all firms paying 4 places, she looks a sound each-way play.
Taunton also stages a fairly decent midweek card, with Golden Sunrise of some interest in the 3m maiden hurdle. An eye-catcher the last twice, he looks as though the step up in trip will suit and he ought to go well for Colin Tizzard, who yesterday announced that Thistlecrack would miss the remainder of the season.
Later on the card King Of Realms (1:35) is another who can shed his maiden tag over hurdles, after a highly promising second at Ascot in November. The winner has since run with credit in a Kempton handicap over Christmas and Ian Williams’ six-year-old looks a ready-made winner-in-waiting.
He looks to have Jonjo O’Neill’s smooth Market Rasen winner Demon d’Aunou to beat, but in receipt of 6lbs he is fancied to do just that. The selection was available around the 2-1 mark at the time of writing.
Tuesday’s selections:
1:35 Taunton: King Of Realms; 7/4 bet365
2:35 Doncaster: Oscar Rose; 4/1 Ladbrokes
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NB. All odds shown are correct at time of publishing and are subject to change.
