Jump Racing; Thursday 22nd December

[Lars]

MALLUSK (14:40) is a different horse when coming off an absence, his record of 11 on seasonal reappearances showing this to full effect. He’s a big, chasing type who handles testing ground well and Hereford’s soft conditions will be ideal for him. Although both of his victories have been over two miles, he stayed three miles when running in point to points, and has always shaped like he’d stay further than that under rules. His form after his seasonal reappearance victory nosedived, which was likely a combination of running on ground that was a little bit too quick, alongside the fact that he doesn’t really take his racing too well. Today will almost certainly be the best time to catch him, and a mark of 115 looks workable, especially when fresh. He’s only 8lbs higher than when a really taking winner on his seasonal reappearance last year and he’s probably a 125 rated horse first time out. I’d expect him to also improve for the step up in trip, so this mark looks very decent indeed. Kim Bailey remains in good form, and has had success with these “catch first time out” types this season, so I’m expecting a decent performance. The ground drying out would be a slight issue, but 7/1 is much too big regardless, as I have him a clear 4/1 favourite. He’ll be almost certainly trying for his life as connections wouldn’t want to waste his first run of the campaign, and he’s a good bet today. 14:40 Hereford - Mallusk; 3pts @ 7/1 Bet365, Boylesports, Ladbrokes (bog)

[cpo]

Re: Jump Racing; Thursday 22nd December 1.20 Sedgefield Samson Collonges 1.5pts e/w 8/1 Ladbrokes Ferdy Murphy is a trainer I can never catch right but this horse looks very interesting near the bottom of the handicap here. He has been given a lowly rating of 69 for his first start under rules in a race full of inconsistent types. Add to that the fact they have booked the talented 7lb claimer Lucy Alexander to ride the horse, then this horse has hardly any weight to carry compared to his rivals. He could potentially be thrown in here. The main dangers here look to be the likes of Riskier and Sambelucky. Of these 2 I would say Riskier probably holds the strongest claims after a couple of solid races in defeat. The trainer is in good form and he does well at the track so that one must be feared. Keith Reveley is another trainer in form and Sambelucky won a similar contest last time out at Catterick and holds strong claims as well. Interestingly Ferdy Murphy has a couple of runners in this race and his usual rider Tony Kelly rides his other mount Emperor Charlie. Looking back through his form, he wouldn't appear to have much of a chance here, although step back in trip may help. On riding arrangements you could say that this one is probably the first string of the two but I am happy to go with Samson Collonges. He is definitely one of the more interesting horses in the race.