Fresh Fergall Worth A Flutter At A Fancy Price At Ascot

Last weekend’s blog selection Kauto Grand Mogol ran a bitterly disappointing race. Liz Doyle’s half brother to the mighty Kauto Star was always trapped wide and at Navan that approach rarely ends well. It was a similar sort of ride to the one given to Vanellope the previous week. That is two weeks in a row I have tipped up non triers, but when you are looking for big priced winners it is an unavoidable occupational hazard.

 

Fergall And Brain Power In The Fog Here Last Season.

Tomorrow I am taking a chance on one at a big price at Ascot, and I think Fergall looks overpriced back at a track he has never run a poor race at. Jimmy Mullins’ 10yo son of Norwich hasn’t won since scoring on the all weather at Lingfield back in February 2015. His last jumps victory came off 136 back in April 2014 (16f gd sft) and he is only 4lb higher here.

While it is a long time since Fergall last scored over timber, he showed last season that plenty of ability still remains. He was a very good 3rd in this contest behind Brain Power off 136 and that was his third good run at Ascot from three starts. He chased home Many Clouds on his first visit in a maiden hurdle, and he was only beaten a length in 4th by Sternrubin in a Listed handicap hurdle off 136 in October last year. He also ran well in the Galway Hurdle on his last start back in August.

It may be off-putting to some that Fergall is having first run after 142 days off the track but his lack of a recent run is more of a positive. He has a fine record when fresh and he also gets on well with 5lb claimer Kevin Jones. His trainer has reported him to be in good spirits, saying: "Fergall loves this race. He comes there every year and always runs a big race. He's been working well and we'd be hopeful of a good run." I think there are enough positives to justify a small e/w bet, and while winning might be a tough task a place is a real possibility

STEVOS’ SELECTION: 15.35 ASCOT-FERGALL E/W @ 28/1 (5 PLACES SKYBET)