A Christmas Cracker

The racing over the festive period looked good on paper and it didn’t disappoint with some brilliant performances at Kempton, Chepstow and over in Ireland at Punchestown. 

We will start at Kempton and the start of what was a good day for Nicky Henderson, he saddled two in the opening with Vegas Blue going off a short priced favourite on her hurdles debut, but it was his other runner, Fred that won. 3rd on his two previous start over hurdles in the UK he finally came good under the guidance of Barry Geragthy. Travelled and jumped well before taking the lead over the last and keeping on very well.

The first Grade 1 on the card was the Kauto Star novices chase, this looked an intriguing race, Master Tommytucker was upped in trip to 3m for the first time and was travelling well in front before falling at the 15th fence and hampering Jarveys Plate, this left Black Op in front with the powerfully travelling Slate House in 2nd. Slate House then took up the lead with Black Op not being able to go with him, although after jumping the last Slate House idled a little giving Black Op another chance but in the end it wasn’t enough, Slate House going on to win by 1 1/4 lengths. The pair of these look to be leading contenders for the RSA come March with 8/1 and 10/1 being available for the pair, I also wouldn’t give up on Master Tommytucker just yet as he could of had his say had he not fell.

The 2nd Grade 1 was the Christmas Hurdle, Nicky Henderson had two of his main Champion Hurdle aims going in this race, those being Epatante who turned out to be the gamble of the race being 6/1 a few days before, and Fusil Raffles, who eventually turned out to be disappointing being pulled up along with Getaway Trump who was returning to the smaller obstacles. It turned out that Epatante was the horse to be with as she won in a saunter, tracking the leaders throughout before taking up the lead with two hurdles to jump and eventually quickening clear to win impressively by 5 lengths. This result saw her shoot right to the top of the Champion Hurdle market at 5/2, its hard to be seen if she can repeat this in March as i feel she would need to improve a bit to match the other higher rated horses, but she will have the handy 7lb mares allowance which could swing things for her.

The big race of the day and the final Grade 1 at Kempton was the King George, it ended up just being the 5 runners with Thistlecrack being a non runner on the day. The Paul Nicholls trained Cyrname and chosen mount of Harry Cobden went off the short priced favourite. Unfortunately for him though it was the horse that he could of rode and last years winner in Clan Des Obeaux that won. He was given a brilliant ride by Sam Twiston-Davies who held him behind Cyrname before drawing upsides 3 from home before jumping his way to the front and going on to win easily by 21 lengths. For me he would be my current horse for the Gold Cup at Cheltenham I know Nicholls said he didn’t seem to stay up the hill last year but for me he seems a different horse this season and I’d happily take a chance at current odds of 6/1. The disappointment of the race has to be Lostintranslation he was dropped out the back but never seemed to be travelling before making a couple of mistakes and being pulled up, if nothing comes to light and he gets to go to the Gold Cup he would still be a player in my eyes maybe Boxing Day was just an off day.

Over in Ireland there was three stand out performances on the Thursday, the first being Aspire Tower who won the Knight Frank Juvenile hurdle by 18 lengths and in turn shot himself right up to the top of the betting for the Triumph hurdle at Cheltenham.

Next we had the Racing Post novice chase at Leopardstown and many saw this as a match between Fakir D’oudairies and Laurina, unfortunately Laurina never got herself into the race and didn’t a handful of mistakes before being pulled up. After the race it was reported that she had burst blood vessels. Even after Laurina being out of the race Fakir D’oudairies couldn’t get the win, eventually finishing 2nd to Notebook. Both of these horses are now 6/1 for the Arkle and even though Fakir D’oudairies was getting 7lb from the eventual winner which he wouldn’t come March I’d still be siding with him to reverse the form.

Finally many peoples highlight of the festive period and another so called match races, this time between Samcro and Faugheen. They both travelled and jumped well, both upsides each other 2 from home where Samcro then started to be pushed along, with Faugheen travelling effortlessly on the inside and eventually kicking clear to win by 10 lengths. Safe to say that he showed that the machine was in full working order here and its been a joy to see him enjoying himself over the bigger obstacles with him now the 6/1 favourite for the JLT come March.

Back to Kempton on the Friday and the Grade 2 Wayward Lad novice chase, this saw Fanion D’Estruval being sent off a short priced favourite for Venetia Williams but he made a few mistakes and and was ultimately to far back to make a challenge although he wasn’t too far behind the eventual 4th Al Dancer. The winner was Ben Pauling trained Global Citizen who beat Rouge Vif by 1 1/2 lengths. He made all and kept on well under pressure. I’d be surprised if any of these are wining the Arkle come March though, I’d still favour the 2 Irish horses mentioned above.

The big race was the Desert Orchid but this race missed its star attraction with Altior being a non runner the night before. This left the Nicholls trained Capeland to go off favourite but he was never able to make an impact on the winner which was Bun Doran, he travelled just behind the leader until leading at the 3rd last, he kept on well on the flat and always had the beating of Duc Des Genievres and Sceau Royal. The one to take out would be Sceau Royal who travelled well just couldn’t get on terms with the front two due to being held up out the back and not mounting his challenge till it was too late.

Over at Chepstow it was Welsh Grand National day, the first race i want to mention is the Grade 1 Coral Finale Juvenile hurdle, this was won by the short priced favourite Allmankind, the Skelton trained horse raced in his usual way, bombing out in front and making all drawing clear between the last 2 flights to win easily by 9 lengths. He is not rightly so to the fore of the Triumph hurdle market being priced at 7/1, he would be my current pick having already go the experience of running at Cheltenham.

The Welsh Grand National saw Elegant Escape looking for back to back wins in this race and he was sent off 9/4 favourite but unfortunately the burden of top weight meant he could only finish 6th. The race was won by the Welsh trained Potters Corner, he took up the lead from 3 out and stayed on well beating Truckers Lodge by 1 3/4 lengths. Truckers Lodge would be my horse to take out of the race, he travelled and jumped well but was always held by the winner, seems like the further they go the more it suits him, could see him being a National horse in the not so distant future.

To the 2nd day at Leopardstown the beginners chase was won by the short priced favourite, this being Melon he jumped well and was joined at the final fence where he made a mistake and was headed, but he railed on well to get back up and win by 2 1/4 lengths. He’s currently priced at 14/1 for the Arkle in March which I think is a good price seen as he always saves his best for the meeting having fished 2nd 3 times at Cheltenham’s March meeting.

Next was the Grade 1 Paddy Power rewards chase and the seasonal reappearance of many peoples Champion Chase winner Chacun Pour Soi. He was sent off 8/15 he travelled well into the race, jumping his way into contention. He was leading till jumping the last where he was headed by A Plus Tard and Rachael Blackmore who quickly quickened away impressively. Both of these could have a say in the Champion Chase at Cheltenham but I’d still favour Defi Du Seuil over both of them.

Next was the Grade 1 Future Champions novice hurdle, once again this looked like a match race between the Champion Bumper 2nd and 4th, in the end it was all about one horse that was Abacadabras, with Blue Sari being a disappointing 40 lengths behind the Gigginstown winner. He travelled and jumped well barring one mistake and showed his turn of foot to put the race to bed. He’s currently priced at 7/2 for the Supreme come March and he would be my selection at this stage.

There was another winner for Gigginstown  and Gordon Elliot with Roaring Bull taking the Paddy Power Handicap chase, he stayed on well from out the back to snatch the race in dramatic fashion from Fitzhenry who finished 3rd in this race last year.

They wasn’t done there as over at Limerick in the Land Rover Novice hurdle Fury Road defied top weight to win, he travelled well and took up the lead 2 out before making a mistake at the last which could of cost him, but he kept on to win by a length. For a possible 3m horse he doesn’t look slow, and the current 10/1 for the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham could look big should he go on to win again before then.

On Saturday we had the Grade 1 Challow Hurdle from Newbury last year won by Champ, this saw Thyme Hill looking to hold onto his unbeaten record of hurdles. He was sent off a short priced favourite, he didn’t look the easiest ride for Richard Johnson where he had to be bumped along at stages, but he eventually joined the long time leader The Cashel Man before putting in a not so fluent jump at the last. But he eventually got up close to home to keep the record in tack. This was arguably his least impressive performance to date, but it still sees him at the top of the market for the Albert Bartlett at 5/1, if he was mine I’d rather chance him at the Ballymore instead of upping him in trip.

Once again over at Leopardstown we had another short priced favourite this time the Willie Mullins trained Allaho, he made the running and got himself a nice 5 length lead which was soon reduced after 3 out by stablemate Easy Game, He eventually took over form the long time leader and kept on well in the run in to win by 1 1/4 lengths. Both of these look nice prospects going forward but would be surprised to see them winning a big race against some of the other horses out there.

Next was the Grade 1 Frank Ward Memorial hurdle, this race had been won the last two season by the joint favourite for the race in Apples Jade, who had already disappointed twice this season. But she didn’t disappoint this day, she was given an easy lead and made all, jumping out to her right at times which is nothing new. She won easily by 17 lengths from Unowhatimeanharry, it was good to see her get back to winning ways, it remains to be seen if she can get another win under her belt but this was nice to see. The other joint favourite Bacardys was a disappointing 4th and made no impression.

The big Grade 1 of the day was the Savills Chase this saw the return of previous winner Kemboy who was making his season reappearance, he went off a short priced favourite but only managed to finish 4th which wasn’t a bad run on return. The race was won by last years RSA 3rd in Delta Work, he travelled well and never really looked in the race till he finished strongly to get up close to home and just deny Monalee. Barring Kemboy on reappearance there isn’t any I’d take out the race or looking to back for the Gold Cup, as for me beating Monalee by a head isn’t good Gold Cup form, I’d be happy to stick with last years winner Al Boum Photo and Clan Des Obeaux.

Sunday and the final day of the Leopardstown Christmas meeting, before hand the Neville Hotels noice chase looked a cracker on paper but it soon cut up with 4 non runners due to the ground being too quick. This left just the three runners  and Battleoverdoyen a short priced favourite. He went on to beat his stable mate Champagne Classic by 1 length, turning in and jumping the last it looked like Champagne Classic was gonna go past but in the end he couldn’t. Battleoverdoyen is the 13/2 2nd favourite for the RSA at Cheltenham but I’d currently favour Nicky Henderson’s Champ should he go here.

The Grade 1 on the card was the Matheson Hurdle which was won last year by Mullins trained Sharjah, it was the Mullins other horse Klassical Dream that was sent off the odds on favourite for the race he was going alright before jumping big at the 4th hurdle and landing on it which basically lost him the race. Not to say that he would of ever caught the winner which was Sharjah who does what he normally does, travels well then takes up the lead over the last and kicks clear. Not sure if this was a real indicator for the Champion hurdle come March, if the ground was good then you’d definitely have to side with Sharjah who is a different animal when he gets good ground and can currently be backed at 7/1. I also wouldn’t be ruling out Klassical Dream just yet, if all is well and he’s done no damage to himself then 10/1 is a big price for a horse that was previously favourite.

Closer to home at Doncaster on Sunday, the Skeltons managed a good double, with Boss Man Fred remaining unbeaten over obstacles winning by 9 lengths, barring a mistake 2 from home he won it well, its early days but signs look good for him and he’s now in the Albert Bartlett market at 20/1.

The more impressive winner that they had was Marie Banrigh, she made all and jumped every fence perfectly, before kicking clear 2 out and putting 13 lengths between her and Baddesley Knight. Was hard to not be impressed with her and she’s been quoted at 16/1 for the Arkle where she would have to do some improving to win that, but she’s definitely one to keep and eye on.

Last but not least the Yorkshire Silver Vase Mares Chase, La Bague Au Roi was backed into favouritism and led all the way till the last fence where she was joined by Happy Diva and the strong travelling Lady Buttons who was looking for back to back victories here. That’s the way it went in a cracking finish with all 3 still in with a chance, but Lady Buttons got her head in front on the line to retain her crown.

As we are a few months away from the March showpiece I’d like to just point a few horses that I currently fancy.

Supreme Novice Hurdle: Abacadabras 7/2

Arkle Novice Chase: Fakir D'oudairies 6/1

RSA Novice Chase: Champ 11/4

Champion Chase: Defi Du Seuil 7/2

Triumph Hurdle: Allmankind 7/1

Gold Cup: Clan Des Obeaux 6/1

In last weeks blog i started a new feature, where i go head to head across a card to see who can get the most winners, last week i was up against Sam, after looking at the results it turns out we are both as bad as each other with both our NAPs losing, Sam did manage to get a winner which was Slate House, I managed to get the winner of the Christmas Hurdle in Epatante. This will likely return come March where there will be a day by day run through of our selections for the Cheltenham Festival.

Thanks for taking the time to read, i know its a long one this week, blame that on the quality of racing! Join me next week where i will run through the first Cheltenham meeting of the new year as well as the Grade 1 Tolworth hurdle from Sandown. Hope you all have a Happy New year.