Paul Ferguson has two selections for us on Saturday; Valgrand in the 4.00 at Uttoxeter and Waterford Whispers 5.25 at the Punchestown Festival. | Free Bets |
The ground is an unknown, but I’m still prepared to side with Waterford Whispers (5:25) in the valuable SBK Gold Trophy, a hugely competitive handicap hurdle on the final day of the Punchestown Festival. Henry de Bromhead’s six-year-old only made his racecourse debut 13 months ago and has made giant strides in four starts this season, winning twice and culminating in a second place finish in the Martin Pipe at Cheltenham. He raced keenly on that occasion but still split Better Days Ahead (4th in a Grade 1 on Wednesday) and Quai de Bourbon (recent Ayr winner) to record a career-best. This slightly sharper test should suit and if he copes with the better ground, Mark Walsh’s mount should be involved from a mark of 135. Others to note in a wide-open contest include Encanto Bruno (forced to miss the Cheltenham Festival due to the ground and a recent non-runner at the April meeting) and Monbeg Park, who beat Spillane’s Tower at this meeting last year and reverts to hurdling after an unsuccessful spell over a fences and a 111-day break. Well-backed at Fairyhouse last time, better ground should suit Comfort Zone who is another to note for JP McManus, in a race where a case could be made for several of the runners.
Domestically, the new National Hunt season gets underway and there is a cracking maiden hurdle to start the card at Uttoxeter. Jeremy Scott’s Taunton bumper winner Came From Nowhere and Kap Ouest (eye-catcher on debut in the autumn) are respected, but preference is for Valgrand (4:00) who finished fourth in the Grade 2 bumper at Aintree last month. Runner-up to the promising The Kemble Brewery on his debut for Dan Skelton in late-October, the five-year-old copes well with nice ground and looks a smart recruit.
Saturday’s selection:
4:00 Uttoxeter – Valgrand; 1/1 Bet365
5:25 Punchestown Festival – Waterford Whispers; 10/3 Betfred
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NB. All odds shown are correct at time of publishing and are subject to change.
