Saturday 29th December - Challow Hurdle Day

I write the start of today's blog on the Skytrain, venturing across Vancouver. Friends back home often ask what a Skytrain is, their logic and common sense escapes me sometimes. Fortunately the racing is better than their questions.

Newbury host the card with the Challow hurdle on, won last year by the unlucky Fingal Bay. Whereas Hurricane Fly is out to boost his Champion hurdle credentials at Leopardstown, who are hosting their winter festival. Some Irish Cheltenham bubbles were somewhat burst yesterday, and others strongly boosted.

Yesterday we saw Monksland steered to victory by the awesome Paul Carberry, after the ride i quoted it as ride of the year. This earned him quotes of 7/1 for the World Hurdle in March, which he may go straight to. He was then outdone later in the afternoon, firstly on the novice Back In Focus who chinned Aupcharlie on the line. Lifted to victory by Ruby Walsh, he wasnt satisfied with that, he then one upped himself on the enigma that is Tidal Bay. He would have been one of the competitors you would have ruled out down the back straight. But Mr Walsh called on his mounts seemingly endless supply of stamina and got up again on the line. Even 50 yards from home it looked unlikely, stuck behind Flemenstar and with First Lieutenant and Sir Des Champs on either side. Ruby thread the eye of a needle and managed to keep momentum on his side through the finish.

There are a few Cheltenham profiles on show today, none as strong as yesterday however. As I reach the end of my journey we shall kick start our Saturday and begin the action. Enjoy.

1:15 Doncaster - Pere Blanc

This one may seem an odd choice to kick things off with seeing that he has been off the track for 648 days. When last seen on the track however he was a rapidly progressing hurdler for David Arbuthnot winning three races easily. He now tries his hand at Chasing for the yard of John Ferguson ridden by Denis O'Regan. The yard has been flying as of late with their latest winner being Chat Room yesterday at Catterick. He has shown on more than one occasion this year he is capable of getting them out first time, even after this long break. In bumpers he was 18 lengths behind Oscar Whisky and 13 3/4 lengths behind Rock on Ruby. It is also worth noting that he has been entered before this season and withdrawn, which could mean he is ready to run not just looking for a pipeopener.

1:35 Newbury - Bury Parade

The ex northern based horse, now with Paul Nicholls carries a 7 pound penalty for his 2 length beating of Super Duty. Who has since gone on to land a valuable novice chase at Cheltenham, the 3rd placed horse, Yurok, has also won since when beating Aland Islands. Merry King was fourth in that race and franked the form further with his second in the Tommy Whittle, beaten a short head by Cannington Brook. The form of that race is rock solid and chasing has always been the look he has given over hurdles. Despite the strong but select field he looks the pick and should defy his penalty. I have followed this horse since he defeated one of my horses to follow in Pinerolo easily at Hexham, he looks to be going places over fences. (7/2)

2:10 Newbury - Rey Nacarado

Rey Nacarado is 1 pound higher than when landing this race a year ago and hails from a stable in fine form. The most eye catching factor however is that Charlie Longsdon books Tony McCoy for the ride today. He is rarely used by this stable but when he is it must be noted and taken down. He was a decent fourth over course and distance last time in an amateur riders race but the booking of the champ could well see him over the line in front here today. (7/2)

2:35 Leopardstown - Zuzka

Zuzkan is tough as old boots and took on the boys last time passing with flying colours, she was beaten 2 1/2 lengths by the top class Jezki and was only a length behind Champagne Fever. She steps down in class here into a mares race and could just have one eye on the mares hurdle at Cheltenham. Paddy Mullins takes the ride today as Ruby is on Glens Melody, but Willie has been trying desperately to get his son one more winner before the year end. He needs one more winner to ride the most winners as an Amateur in one season. Zuzka looks to be the horse to do that for him and is a very strong bet today. (6/4)

2:45 Newbury - Taquin Du Seuil

Taquin Du Seuil is held in very high regard by Jonjo and AP and improved alot last time to give a pounding to the expensive Le Bec. He won very cosily that day and is expected to improve again for today. He was defeated by My Tent Or Yours first time over hurdles, but was then upped in trip resulting in a smooth success at Sandown. He is 16/1 for the Neptune right now, and a win here would see that price tighten some more. I fully expect him to follow Zuzka in visiting the winners enclosure and could make it a good 10 minutes for us. (15/8)

2:55 Doncaster - Fill The Power

Sue Smith's Gelding has only ran in 3 chases but was 2nd on handicap debut last time to Wyck Hill. The winner has boosted that form by following up at Ascot beating Roberto Goldback comprehensively. He will most probably be ridden agressively today to take advantage of his strong staying power. jumping is also not a problem as he practically steps over his fences due to his size. Sue Smith has been in pretty good form lately and now is around the time of year she starts firing in a few winners. Fill The Power could well be one of them here today. (5/1)

3:50 Newbury - Chatterbox

Chatterbox has been all the rage on the gallops at Seven Barrows with reports of how good he has been schooling. He won his only start to date when winning a bumper at Huntingdon in good style. Nicky Henderson won this last year with All The Aces, he looks set to win this again as he saddles My Tent Or Yours and of course Chatterbox. Due to The former being owned by JP McManus, Tony McCoy rides him, meaning Barry Geraghty is free to ride the selection. Granted it will be a tough race to win but he could well be an each way price and should be at least placed. (No Price Yet)

A few short priced ones and it could be a day for multiples, but lets hope for a few winners to refund the hole in our wallets Christmas left.

NAP - Taquin Du Seuil
NB - Zuzka

Happy Punting guys

Final day of Royal Ascot

Well yesterday was more like it, with a 9/4 winner and a 40/1 place (both advised prices). I'd also consider Noble Mission a very unlucky loser after being broad sided by Thought Worthy when just starting his finishing run.

Quickly onto today.

2:30 Ascot - Chesham Stakes - Effie B - Last time missed the break and looked to be screaming out for a longer trip after staying on behind Sir Prancealot in the National stakes at Sandown. Whether the step up to 7 furlongs straight away will be too much will be answered today. A win on softer ground is the stand out form for me and providing she jumps better today could well be her big day.

Pasaka Boy - Only one run but that was a winning one on very soft ground at Salisbury at 50/1. That day he looked like he was screaming out for a longer distance scoring by a neck to a Ralph Beckett Gelding. The race he won wasn't the strongest but was still a good maiden and the first two were a little way clear of the others. He should improve enough to at least place today.

3:05 Ascot - Hardwicke Stakes - Aiken - A renowned mudlark who is confirmed round this course, he made all at Chantilly last time when winning a group 2. Yesterday the Buick and Gosden team were bang in form and today should be no different with this horse unbeaten in his last 6 races. Obviously today is a bigger ask but he should be up to winning this task.

3:45 Ascot - Golden Jubilee Stakes - Society Rock - Last years winner who came right back to form when third at York last time behind Tiddliwinks. Last year he won this race on testing ground and without Black Caviar he would be fancied to go back to back. He also finished a good second at Deauville in France behind Moonlight Cloud and ahead of the once top class Marchand D'or. Johnny Murtagh takes the ride this time from regular jockey Pat Cosgrave.

4:25 Ascot - Wokingham handicap stakes - Seal Rock - Everytime there is give in the ground he seems to provide his best performance and gave in a good performance off the same mark as today. Even though it is a power packed field today he is the only selection and should be up to winning this if giving his best performance. He hails from a stable in decent enough form and everything considered should not be out of the places today.

5:00 Ascot - Duke Of Edinburgh Handicap - Right Step - One for Alan Jarvis here in a good handicap, but two runs ago he was impressive at Epsom on testing ground and it would seem that anymore rain will be a bonus. Looking at his track record it would seem he is an ultra consistent type and is ready to make it at the top level, just like today. The stable had a good winner at York the other day and this could be another big one.

5:35 Ascot - Queen Alexandra Stakes - Golden Sunbird - The jumps boys have already had a winner this week with Simenon going in for Willie Mullins. This could be another for Ireland and another one for the jumpers. This is the only winner that Paul Nolan has bought over for the week and they had a confidence boosting winner in their last runner at Wexford a couple of days ago. This could be a well deserved big winner for the stable, a bonus being that he is a confirmed winner on this testing ground. One for the Irish

Happy Punting today