RING OF BEARA (2.25, nap) can shine on his handicap debut in the 2m1f Go North Grey Bomber Juvenile Hurdle at Musselburgh on Friday.
The four-year-old won on the Flat under Richard Hughes and has made a good start over hurdles for trainer Tim Easterby.
He has been placed three times in the last four outings and, last time out, stayed on well in a maiden hurdle over 2m½f at Doncaster to finish runner-up behind Sarsons Risk.
Subsequently, the winner was leading and going well before falling three out in Kempton’s Adonis Hurdle. That was won by the 130-rated Nusret, so my selection’s opening handicap mark of 104 looks lenient.
At Newbury, Fergal O’Brien’s in-form MANOTHEPEOPLE (2.05, nb) is fancied to make it five wins on the trot — and his third over fences.
Last time out, in December, the seven-year-old held on well over 2m7½f at Chepstow, winning by half a length from Coeur Serein, who has since franked the form by winning at Newbury.
And O’Brien seems to have found another opportunity for the eight-year-old in the Follow @betvictor Novices’ Chase.
FRIDAY'S SELECTIONS
