Paul Ferguson has three selections for us on Friday; Flementime in the Wetherby 12:15, Grandouet in the Kempton 1.30 and Moyle Park in the Leopardstown 1:50. Compare odds and bet.
All eyes will be on Sprinter Sacre as the unbeaten chaser returns to action at Kempton this afternoon and Nicky Henderson will be hoping for a big day at the track, with Grandouet (1:30) fancied to get off the mark at the third time of asking over fences in the Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase, a race the stable has won five times in the past seven renewals.
The high-class hurdler showed marked improvement in the way he travelled and jumped when runner-up in the Henry VIII last time and, in receipt of weight from his main market rivals, the six-year-old should be tough to beat, despite the ground riding softer than ideal.
Up at Wetherby Flementime (12:15) should improve on her recent Uttoxeter second, when she chased home a potentially smart mare, by taking the opening mares’ novices’ hurdle.
Martin Keighley and Ian Popham were in Grade 1 winning form yesterday at Kempton and this five-year-old, who won a bumper over 2m2f almost two years ago, is highly regarded and ought to outclass this lot.
Over at Leopardstown Moyle Park (1:50) is fancied to maintain his unbeaten record in the Grade 1 Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle, a race Willie Mullins took in 2008 with the mighty Hurricane Fly.
The dual bumper winner won with plenty in hand on his hurdles debut last month and, while that race has taken a couple of knocks since, the chestnut is taken to progress past the Royal Bond winner The Tullow Tank, who has the proven form in the book.
Friday’s Selections:
12:15 Wetherby: Flementime; 4/6 Winner.com
1:30 Kempton: Grandouet; 4/7 Paddy Power
1:50 Leopardstown: Moyle Park; 13/8 William Hill
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Paul Ferguson’s Jumpers To Follow 2013-14
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New for 2013-14:
Grade 1 winning jockeys Nick Scholfield and Jane Mangan provide readers with their horses to follow
Last years results included:
* Leading Prospects, Arvika Ligeonniere (x3), Boston Bob, Captain Conan (x3), Champagne Fever (x2 inc Supreme Novices’ Hurdle), Glens Melody, Melodic Rendezvous, Simonsig (Arkle) & Un Atout won 13 Grade 1 novice contests between them
* My Tent Or Yours won 4 times including the Betfair Hurdle and the Top Novices’ at Aintree
* Stable Round-Up included Neptune winner The New One, Scottish Champion Hurdle winner Court Minstrel and David Pipe’s Dynaste of whom it read “could follow the Grands Crus path of last year, starting in the Steel Plate And Sections before he is readied for the Feltham” – he won both races and also scored at Aintree in April
* Across The Sea – Mount Benbulben 14/1 winner of the Grade 1 novice chase at the Punchestown Festival
* Under The Hammer – horses featured in this section included Champion Bumper winner Briar Hill (25/1) and The Liquidator, who won the equivalent Grade 1 at Punchestown – this section has been greatly increased for 2013-14
