Boxing Day 2014

Happy Christmas everyone (depending on when you are reading this) I hope we are all excited for the holidays and already planning our fancies on Boxing Day. There is a feast of 12 meetings in England and Ireland today and those are headlined from Kempton who stage the Grade One King George VI Chase. Silviniaco Conti won the race 12 months ago and once again heads the market with Champagne Fever the next best in the betting. Champion Hurdle favourite Faugheen also appears on the card in what should be a straight forward task in the Christmas Hurdle, with Irving seemingly his main threat. But if I told you each star name that is running today you would be here all day so I'll get on with the blog!

As always @Ontheotherhoof have prepared a video for you as we discuss the the Channel 4 racing on Boxing Day with a Secret Santa thrown in for good measure. Joining me on the panel today are the full house of @Calummadell, @Adamwebb121 and @Mytentoryours. You can watch the show via the link below, enjoy!

Boxing Day Preview

Now onto the all important festive selections!

1:05 Wincanton - Ut Majeur Aulmes

On a day of racing heaven, we start off with Ut Majeur Aulmes who has been contesting stronger handicaps so far this season and looks to have been found an ideal opportunity here with drying ground. 

Denis O'Regan has struck up a good partnership over his last four starts and won off a three pound lower mark when the pair first teamed up. He has found life a bit tougher lately against classier horses but has far from disgraced himself in hot races. Today is a bit easier for him and with the additions of Malibu Sun and Minella Definitely into the field, he will get the strong pace that he needs. As mentioned earlier the drying ground will help his chances immensely and he still looks well treated as an improving six year old chaser. (4/1)

1:45 Wetherby - Vintage Star

Sue Smith won this race 12 months ago with Cloudy Too and is represented by Vintage Star this time around who has cheek pieces on for the first time. He ended last season with a bit of a struggle when he fell at the Cheltenham Festival before being pulled up in the Grand National. However after those disappointments he has started this season promisingly when chasing home Shutthefrontdoor on his reappearance, and Hey Big Spender last time out. He raced lazily on both occasions which should be fixed by the addition of cheek pieces and a bold show is expected now that the yard have found themselves amongst the winners again.

One of the main dangers could come in the shape of Cape Tribulation who was given a tender ride last time out and never really landed a blow. He has been supported in the market this week and won this race off today's mark two seasons ago which should make him competitive. Vintage Star is the selection to make it two Rowland Meyrick's in two years for Sue Smith with James Reveley a positive jockey booking. (15/2)

2:00 Kempton - Saphir Du Rheu

One at a shorter price now but Saphir Du Rheu looks fairly unbeatable in this year's Feltham with his main rival being stable mate Virak. The selection made giant strides last season after starting off on a mark of 130 and ending the year on a mark of 165 when beaten in the National Spirit Hurdle at Fontwell. Today will see him tackle three miles for the first time which shouldn't be much of a problem for him after Paul Nicholls touted him as a future Gold Cup horse. 

After many put him up as a novice chaser to follow he made an auspicious debut over the larger obstacles when unseating Sam Twiston-Davies at Newbury. That isn't much of a worry as he was just caught out by a lack of chasing experience and has jumped superbly when winning at Exeter since. 

His main dangers will come in the form of Virak and Coneygree with the former being his stable mate and remains unexposed, saying that he does have to improve on what he has shown so far. Coneygree will be the pace angle in the race and won the contest that Saphir Du Rheu fell in at Newbury when beating Dell Arca. That was his first run for 671 days, but he jumped fluently and ground his rivals into the ground, he will find things tougher round Kempton but isn't one to easily discard. Saphir Du Rheu could just be a much better horse than his rivals today and should land today's event on his way to bigger and better things. (5/4)

2:05 Limerick - Gilgamboa

You may recall Gilgamboa featuring on my horses to follow list at the start of the season and he didn't disappoint on chase debut. He jumped fantastically that day and beat a few useful horses in the process which earned him a crack at this Grade Two. Despite doing all the right things that day he gave the impression that he would benefit from a step up in trip which he gets today. 

He seems to be the forgotten horse from last years Supreme Novices as he was travelling as well as anything in the field before making a terrible mistake at the second last. That effectively ended his race there and then but looked a sure thing to be amongst the places on that day, but of course we will never know that for certain. (9/4)

His biggest danger could come from Adriana Des Mottes who is another horse I have a soft spot for and will benefit for going chasing. She could hardly have been more impressive on her chasing debut when travelling all over Rule The World and it only looked a case of how far. However she made a terrible mistake at the last fence and just got back up on top of the line proving she is a very classy animal. She again gets all the allowances a four year old filly would get and this is one of the last chances she will get to do that, so it could be a good bit of placing here. Gilgamboa is no slouch though and will be a tough nut to crack this afternoon. 

3:10 Kempton - Wonderful Charm

Our final selection on this busy Boxing Day is somewhat a speculative one, but also one that I feel is horrifically overpriced and is unexposed at the trip. Wonderful Charm was highly thought of when he came over to this country and even ran in the World Hurdle on his second start in the UK. He has been chasing since then and proved a natural when winning his first three chases including a couple of Grade Two's. Life has been a bit tough for him since those days though which I feel is partly down to the distance as to me he looks a stayer, today he gets to prove that.

He tackled the JLT Novices Chase at the Festival last season and came fifth but was never nearer than on top of the line, he also got slightly hampered by the fall of Djakadam. There was no disgrace in that run and he got his own back on a couple of those rivals at Newton Abbot this season in his reappearance. He was made to work hard that day and was off the bridle for the majority of the final circuit and got outpaced on his last two outings as well behind Don Cossack and Wishfull Thinking. 

His only attempt over three miles came at Aintree, but he didn't do himself justice that day when third to Holywell after a long and hard season. That effort is easily forgotten and is well worth another try at the distance on ground that will suit him. Wonderful Charm to outperform his odds in the King George. (50/1)

NAP - Saphir Du Rheu

Nb - Gilgamboa

Happy Christmas everyone and as always, happy punting!

Sea Has The Ladbroke Beat

Good morning/evening everyone, I hope we are all slowly getting ready for Christmas and have time to take an afternoon off for the racing. Last week saw us see two potential Cheltenham Festival winners with The New One cementing his already impressive Champion Hurdle credentials, before Rock On Ruby won the Relkeel and earned World Hurdle quotes. This weekend is no different as Zarkandar looks to add yet another Grade One to his portfolio in the JLT Long Walk Hurdle and Activial heads the Ladbroke Hurdle market.

As always @Ontheotherhoof have a video preview prepared for you guys as we discuss all of tomorrow's racing on Channel 4. Joining me on the panel this week were @Adamwebb121 and fresh off the pantomime scene @Mytentoryours. You can watch the show via the link below, enjoy!

Ladbroke Hurdle Day Preview

Now onto the all important selections

Ascot 1:50 - Bellenos

Dan Skelton's Gelding has been a bit expensive to follow this season after disappointing on his reappearance when well backed, and finishing down the field last time out. In fairness to him there were excuses last time out as he was found to be lame after the race, which is a perfectly understandable reason for the poor show. With that kept in mind, he jumped fantastically as he usually does and that could prove a strong asset to have in a race like this.

He won over course and distance last season off a 17 pound lower mark but hasn't done too much to suggest he is necessarily badly handicapped. The yard form is also worth taking into account as well with Dan Skelton saddling three winners from his last six runners. With everything taken into account, Bellenos is well worth another chance today in what looks a below average race for the track. (11/2)

Ascot 2:25 - Aubusson

Today's only Grade One has suffered from a pretty poor turn out with just a field of five accepting the challenge of the Long Walk this year. Among those five is the winner of this race for the last two seasons, Reve De Sivola who is partnered by Daryl Jacob in the absence of Richard Johnson.

On Reve De Sivola's best form then he would be well up to winning this contest, however he hasn't been at his best since last season. More recently he has disappointed on two occasions in France with one of them coming behind Zarkandar when well beaten into seventh. He is usually prepped for this race which would give some confidence but he has a lot to find on recent form.

As mentioned before, Zarkandar beat Reve De Sivola in France and was impressive in doing so. That was the former's stand out performance at this trip after not overly convincing in England, but he benefitted from more forceful tactics that day. He clearly sets the standard in this field but it wouldn't take a world beater for him to find one too good tomorrow and at the prices is opposed.

Medinas burst back to form last time out when beating More Of That and Cole Harden at Newbury after a few rather tame efforts. He still has a bit to prove to show us that he is back at his best for me as that race fell into his lap with the protagonists going off too fast on testing ground. He isn't completely ruled out but is very much a watching brief this afternoon.

Dell Arca is the outsider of the field and reverts back to hurdles after two failed attempts over fences. He has been thrown in to the deep end here with his first attempt at three miles coming in a Grade One but is open to improvement.

That leaves us with Aubusson who entered calculations at this level when landing the fixed brush handicap hurdle at Haydock in impressive fashion. Obviously this is a big step up in class but on official ratings he only has seven pounds to find with Zarkandar and is ahead of Reve De Sivola. One of the main talking points will be his jockey booking of Lizzie Kelly, she is his regular rider but can't claim her seven pounds today making life harder saying that she is more than capable and knows the horse better than anyone else. Aubusson to make successful step up in class and land the Grade One Long Walk. (7/1)

Lingfield 2:35 - Baltic Knight

A trip to Lingfield now as Baltic Knight steps back up in trip after disappointing at Newbury on his only previous try over 10 furlongs. He is well worth another go however after staying on too late over a mile in a strong Kempton Listed race. That form looks extraordinary for a Listed race with Sloane Avenue being talked about as a potential Dubai World Cup horse and Captain Cat already contesting Group Ones.

This race doesn't look anywhere near that quality with Grendisar looking the only danger and he is far from straightforward. Followers of his will know the feeling of seeing him travel very strongly only to not find anything off the bridle all too well.

As well as being the top rated horse in the race on official ratings, Baltic Knight is also partnered by George Baker who rides this track better than anyone. Baltic Knight to improve for the step up in trip and put his class to good use. (7/4)

Ascot 3:30 - Sea Beat

A good turn out for the Ladbroke Hurdle this season with 18 horses going to post after Baradari was confirmed as a non runner. Activial heads the market at 9/2 off a handicap mark of 137 after not showing his best form in a Grade One at Aintree last season.

Preference however is for the bottom weight, Sea Beat who is sent over by Arthur Moore but must run from four pounds out of the handicap. We have only seen Sea Beat on the racecourse five times but he still boasts some excellent form including two lengths behind Plinth on debut who is now rated in the 140s. His most recent outing came on the flat however, as he had a pipe opener round Galway when mixing it with some very nice horses and holding his own when third. That will have blown away the cobwebs and put him right for this afternoon off a handicap mark that could still be lenient on ground that is perfect for him. (14/1)

NAP - Aubusson
Nb - Bellenos

Good luck today and as always, happy punting!

Glance Is Worth A Chance

Good morning/evening to you all, I hope we have recovered from last weeks fantastic racing in preparation for... Well some pretty average stuff in truth. But there are still winners to be found and a few competitive handicaps as well as a few good Graded races featuring The New One and Rock On Ruby.

Our blushes were saved somewhat by Mijhaar who managed to place at 14/1, but the rest left something to be desired. We did however see a good race at Fairyhouse last Sunday which saw Don Cossack boost his Cheltenham claims when winning the John Durkan. I was working in the William Hill studio that day and have to confess that my eye was drawn to Lord Windermere in third. Keep in mind that this was his reappearance over 2 and a half miles and he was always likely to need the outing, but he came out of the race with a lot of credit after staying on late in the day. I'm not tipping him up ante post for the Gold Cup, but you could do a lot worse if wanting to give someone a Christmas present at work.

As always @Ontheotherhoof have previewed today's Channel 4 action and given you our best selections for the day. Joining me on the panel are the regular cast of @Adamwebb121 and @Calummadell, you can watch the show via the link below, enjoy!

Cheltenham and Doncaster preview by Ontheotherhoof

Now onto today's single selection!

2:00 Cheltenham - Attaglance

Malcolm Jefferson has been extremely patient with one of his stable's leading lights and bypassed the Paddy Power with Attaglance, but he should have no problems in taking up today's engagement. There were doubts over his participation 24 hours ago however with rain in the forecast, but that never arrived and the ground will be fine.

We have only seen Attaglance once this season when fifth at Market Rasen behind Mart Lane, he has been known to need a run though and it was a promising reappearance. Many of you will remember his unlucky Cheltenham Festival last season when just losing out to Present View in the novice handicap on day one. In all seriousness he should have won that day and he would have won had Brian Hughes switched outside on the run in, instead he delivered his mount against the rail and ran out of room before staying on too late. He is just six pounds above his mark on that day and this looks an easier race with only 11 rivals to worry about. The only slight negative is that he didn't run his race in this contest last year and may be better suited to a longer trip at this stage in his career. He has however progressed a lot as a chaser in the passed seasons and he is a much stronger horse now than last year. Attaglance to continue his chasing progress in landing this competitive handicap on ground he will appreciate. (9/1)

NAP - Really? You actually read this to find my nap? C'mon man!!

Have a good day and as always, happy punting!

Irish Succes At Sandown

Good morning/evening everyone, I hope we are all ready for one of the major weeks in the jumps racing calendar. Sandown stage two Grade One's in the Tingle Creek and Henry VIII Novices Chase this afternoon as well as Aintree having two races over the National Fences. We are also treated to good jumping cards at Wetherby and Chepstow with Wolverhampton racing on the All Weather, we are also racing in Ireland at Navan.

As always @OnTheOtherHoof have a video preview prepared as we cover the Channel 4 action from Sandown and Aintree. Joining me on the panel tonight was @Calummadell and @Adamwebb121, you can find the show via the link below, enjoy!!

OnTheOtherHoof Tingle Creek day preview

Now onto the all important selections!

1:30 Aintree - Just A Par

Not an easy task to start off today's selections as we begin with the Becher Chase which of course is the first race of the season over the National Fences. We side with Just A Par who was very highly regarded last season but never really fulfilled his potential despite a fifth in the RSA at Cheltenham. He has always looked a horse who would appreciate a stamina sapping trip and a stiff jumping test, so it was no surprise to see this race touted as an early target.

He made his return 28 days ago in the controversial Badger Ales Trophy at Wincanton when originally finishing 6th but upgraded to 5th after The Young Master was disqualified. He got tired late on that day which he was entitled to do on his seasonal reappearance, but he will have to find the necessary improvement required. For that effort the handicapper has relented a further 2 pounds, which makes today's mission somewhat easier in what looks to be a fantastic renewal. He has run over fences at Aintree once before when partnered by Nick Scholfield who takes the ride today, however that was on the Mildmay course which doesn't play to his strengths at all.

As I mentioned earlier it is a tough race and the main threats to Just A Par could come in the form of Saint Are and Oscar Time. The latter chased home Ballabriggs in the 2011 Grand National and was fourth in the 2013 National, so boasts a very good course record. Saint Are is a different sort as he is a well handicapped eight year old and was ninth as a 7 year old in the 2013 Grand National. (12/1)

1:50 Sandown - Irish Saint

From a competitive race to a disappointing turn out for a Grade One with only four horses accepting the challenge in the Henry VIII Novices Chase. The field may be select however it is full of class with Paul Nicholls' doubly represented with Vibrato Valtat and the selection, Irish Saint.

Irish Saint made a brilliant start to his chasing career when beating the useful Chris Pea Green over course and distance, this will be much more of a test however. He jumped well on his fencing bow and will come on for the experience and the softer ground will suit him more than the others. Over hurdles he managed to attain a career high mark of 151 which would make him the second best on ratings in this race.

Paul Nicholls' charge also benefits by the quirks and dislikes of his rivals in this small field. For example it is unlikely that Vibrato Valtat will get a fast enough pace to be delivered on top of the line and travel into the race in his normal fashion. Dunraven Storm is the obvious pace angle, however his jumping needs to hold up in front and he may become a sitting duck to a better horse. As for Court Minstrel, well his participation must be in danger as he needs faster ground to be seen to his best. With that taken into account it could just all fall into place for Irish Saint and he is a confident selection tomorrow. (13/8)

2:05 Aintree - Mijhaar

Our next selection is a bit more left field and a few of you may scoff at it, but hear me out about his chances before dismissing him. You may remember him being a selection on the blog back at Market Rasen when disappointing under AP McCoy, but he improved for that at Cheltenham. He was seventh on that occasion in the Greatwood hurdle which may seem modest, but upon further review it is clear that he hated both ground and course. For that reason alone his effort can be upgraded after making up good ground from the home turn when last in the whole field. That supports the reason to step up in trip as on that occasion he would clearly benefit from further and on a flat track like Aintree as well. Undoubtedly the pick of his form came at the end of last season when fifth to Josses Hill over two miles back here at Aintree. He is a tentative selection today after contesting Listed and Group Three races on the level, but will need a step forward on his hurdles form today. (14/1)

3:00 Sandown - Balder Succes

Our final selection of the day comes in the form of last season's leading two mile novice chaser Balder Succes, who has a brilliant chance of landing a Grade One out of novice company today.

His main rival in the betting market is God's Own who has beaten the selection twice, although there were excuses on both occasion. At Punchestown it was clear that he engaged Champagne Fever in a battle far too early in the race and paid for it late on when God's Own claimed him. Balder Succes also tasted defeat to his long lasting rival last time out in the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter, but he wasn't 100% fit for his reappearance and had to give his rival weight. That is reversed today and with no obvious pace angles the race could play to Balder Succes' strengths if he can find a jumping rhythm.

There aren't many dangers outside of the top two, but Oscar Whisky ran a much improved race in the Paddy Power last time out but still has something to prove. Vukovar is another one who has promised a lot but failed to live up to expectations, he may need more of a trip but it would be no surprise to see him run well here. At a price Third Intention may be one to side with as he looked a different horse last time out when forging clear at Haydock, which is something he has never done before including when gifting a race to Captain Conan here in a Grade One. Balder Succes the one to continue his improvement through to this season. (7/2)

NAP - Irish Saint
Nb - Balder Succes

Good luck if you are having a bet tomorrow and as always, happy punting!