Jumps Racing - Sunday, 4th of December

[Monterosso]

2:00 Kelso - Take The Breeze - 3pts @ 6/1 (Ladbrokes) When the testing conditions come out to play, Take The Breeze becomes an exceptionally interesting betting proposition and today this talented animal gets his ideal conditions for the first time in a long time. Paul Nicholls' 8-year-old grey really can't have the ground soft enough and although he could probably do with it being even softer than it is at the moment, he will be right at home under today's conditions. The sharp nature of the track will also suit this often prominent racer and there looks to be no obvious reason as to why he can't get involved in what is a decent race, but not one of the quality that he's usually involved in. Take The Breeze comes here on the back of an eye-catching seasonal reappearance run over hurdles nearly 6 weeks ago. Under today's jockey, the very capable Harry Derham, this smooth-travelling performer tackled some useful hurdlers over 3 miles at Aintree on good ground off a 12lb higher mark than he had ever won off over the smaller obstacles. That was the first time that he lined out over hurdles for well over 2 years and he was also going nearly a mile further than he had ever went in that code. In the race, he travelled wonderfully, certainly as well as anything, and came with what looked to be a strong challenge before his effort petered out. That run was so pleasing, as despite not jumping his hurdles too well, Take The Breeze was still bang there until he began to tire about 2 out, shaping as if he'd come on for the run. Nicholls now decides to send him back over fences, the code where he's at his best, and I feel he should run a big race here off a very workable mark of 140 after his capable jockeys claim is taken into account. It's also very interesting that his trainer is making a near 750 mile round trip in order to just run this fellow and he hasn't made the long trip to Kelso since the beginning of 2005 (3-8 at track). The reason for him coming all the way here is beyond me but he certainly has an interesting runner and I feel that 6/1 is on the generous side. This horse is very talented on his day, certainly better than most of the opposition, and he should go close here now that he's getting something like his ideal conditions for the first time in nearly 2 years. Medium win stakes for me and hopefully he'll go well, although he's not without his risks.

[fintron]

Re: Jumps Racing - Sunday, 4th of December 12.50 Fairyhouse The Royal Bond Novices' Hurdle - The roll of honour in the last four years reads: Muirhead (2007), Hurricane Fly (2008), Dunguib (2009) and Zaidpour (2010). Noel Meade has this won this race three times in the last decade so his IL FENOMENO immediately commands respect. He sets the form standard based on his last time out Grade 3 victory at Navan, when he showed a good attitude to hold off stablemate Dylan Ross. Dangers are plentiful; Willie Mullins' supporters will be hoping for an incident free run from Midnight Game who met with interference on his hurdles debut and was outbattled in the finish but the yard's stronger representative is Sous Les Crieux, a maiden hurdler winner last time that has Ruby on top. Still, he looks short based on what he's acheived to date and is 5/4 based on potential. The value on the race lies with the Meade charge IMO. Il Fenomeno 4/1 Ladbrokes 1.20 Fairyhouse The Drinmore novices chase - Alpha Ridge remains a ten race chase maiden and Imperial Shabra is still a maiden after 13 runs. Shinrock Paddy improved upon a poor debut effort in this sphere when second last time but needs to improve again to trouble the principals. Giggingstown look to hold all of the aces here and the winner should probably come from either Bog Warrior, First Lieutenant or Rivage D'Or. Bog Warrior jumped like an old veteran when running away with a Navan chase last time (chase debut) and looks to have a very bright future. He did, however, get the run of the race that day. Now he steps up to this longer trip, the percentage call is FIRST LIEUTENANT, a Grade 3 novices' winner at Tipperary in October that was touched off by a nose at Cork thereafter but gained compensation latest when winning another Grade 3 event, at the same venue. He wants marking up for the run in a race run at a dawdle and looks destined for big things. Gets on well with Davy Russell. Rivage D'Or is taking on his biggest assignment to date and looks priced about right now taking on Grade 3 winners. First Lieutenant 13/8 Paddypower 1.50 Fairyhouse The Hatton's Grace Hurdle - Mourad is looking to keep the prize within the Willie Mullins yard after Hurricane Fly's victory last year. Both of his last two victories (in Grade company) and his placed efforts in the World Hurdles at both Cheltenham and Punchestown have come over 3m though and his price looks plenty short enough. Final Approach fell short on previous try at Grade 1 level and with Mikael D'Haguenet a non-runner, that leaves two. The Real Article is no doubt improving and having landed two Grade 2 events on his last two starts commands plenty of respect, however, he needs to improve again in stronger company here and now he's upped in trip from 2m, preference is instead for VOLER LA VEDETTE. She is a funny one and its taken a while to fathom out her best trip. She ran well in this race last year when third to Hurricane Fly, and there seems to be little of that calibre in opposition today. She landed a Grade 2 honours at Navan last time - even though there was the suggestion she may come on for the run, and she looks slightly better priced than Mourad over this 2m4f trip. Heavy ground poses no problems. Voler La Vedette 15/8 William Hill