Paul Ferguson has one selection for us on Friday; Champ in the Newbury 2.25. Compare odds and bet.
Newbury stages a fantastic card on Friday, where both the maiden and novice hurdles look very deep races, so pay close attention to both, as there could be plenty of future winners on show.
The novices’ chase is also very interesting, but Champ (2:25) is fancied to follow up his debut victory here, despite the slightly shorter trip. Unbeaten in three starts at the track (twice won over hurdles at this distance) the two-time Grade 1 hurdle winner possesses plenty of pace and he can confirm the form with Dashel Drasher, who should also be more suited by the distance.
Initially, I thought Champ won like a stayer on debut, but upon reviewing the performance, he jumped better at pace up the home straight and if you paused that contest with a couple of furlongs to run, he was just about to join issue and still on the bridle. With the prospect of him being a little sharper on this occasion, he is fancied to make it two-from-two, despite the competitive look of the race.
Elsewhere on the card, French import Fanion d’Estruval is an interesting runner on debut for Venetia Williams. Unbeaten in two chase starts in France, he jumped well around Auteuil last time and relishes soft ground. In receipt of a four-year-old allowance, he is very much one to take seriously in the novices’ handicap chase, when he could attempt to use his experience and make all.
Friday’s selection:
2:25 Newbury – Champ; 5/6 Unibet
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