Paul Ferguson has two selections from Newbury on Thursday; Petit Palais at 12:55 and Floressa 2.35. Compare odds and bet.
Newbury stages a cracking card on Thursday, with the beginners’ chase a particular highlight. Another competitive race is the mares’ novices’ hurdle, in which FLORESSA (2:35) is fancied to score for local trainer, Nicky Henderson.
An impressive winner on debut at Worcester recently (Aggy With It was in second when falling) she possesses plenty of speed and ought to appreciate the conditions. Silver Forever is another potentially smart mare, but she did her best work late on at Chepstow, so the drop in trip is a slight concern. Of the remainder, Farne is a mare I liked in bumpers last term and she really is built for jumping, but this looks a tough test on debut.
Earlier on the card, another who ought to appreciate the better ground is PETIT PALAIS (12:55) in the opening conditional jockeys’ handicap hurdle. He travelled well when fifth in the Adonis last year and again shaped with promise on his reappearance, when the ground would have been softer than ideal.
He has subsequently been dropped 2lbs and Tom George is in much better form now, saddling five winners from 11 runners between last Thursday and this Monday. Fergus Gregory is an eye-catching booking and it is hoped that Petit Palais is available at a decent price, with the dead eight set to go to post.
Thursday’s selections:
12:55 Newbury – Petit Palais; 9/2 BetVictor
2:35 Newbury – Floressa; 5/4 Bet365
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