Paul Ferguson has two selections for us on Saturday; Elvis Mail in the 14:25 and Ok Corral 15:00 both at Newbury. Compare odds and bet.
Nicky Henderson has won the Ladbrokes Trophy three times since 2005 and Ok Corral (3:00) is fancied to provide the trainer with another victory in the feature event from his local track.
Lightly-raced for his age, he won his first two starts over fences last season and was duly well supported for the 4m National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. He was badly hampered with a circuit to run in that event, so can easily be given another chance, and from a mark of 151, he looks to have the ideal profile for this race.
A second-season chaser with a touch of class (was runner-up in the Albert Bartlett in 2018), he is taken to bely his inexperience and score under Aidan Coleman, who deputises for Barry Geraghty, who will be up at Newcastle (should it pass an early morning inspection) to ride Buveur d’Air in the Fighting Fifth.
Coleman also rides for Henderson and owner JP McManus in the Gerry Feilden Intermediate Hurdle, aboard the mare Epatante, who looked really promising before disappointing at the festival.
She could easily bounce back and make a mark of 137 look lenient, but her winning form didn’t work out particularly well and she will need to relax more than she did last season. If she tears off in front, the race could be set up perfectly for Elvis Mail (2:25) who is sure to appreciate a strongly-run contest. Also headstrong, he won impressively at Ayr on his reappearance and given that the Nick Alexander stable are in much better form now, he looks capable of defying a 6lbs rise, with conditions to suit.
Saturday’s selections:
2:25 Newbury – Elvis Mail; 7/1 Paddy Power
3:00 Newbury – Ok Corral; 9/1 William Hill
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