Racing Chat - Saturday 23rd December

[The Brigadier]

Haydock 1.30

The Betfred Tommy Whittle Handicap chase is run over 3M 1 1/2F and this year has attracted a field of nine stoutly bred stayers. The key form race here is the the contest run over course and distance four weeks ago. Famous Bridge beat Credo by a length and both have claims here but is the horse who finished 4 1/4L back in fourth that appeals the most to me. Venetia Williams’s Eleanor Bob was having his first start for 626 days and led till just before the last, jumping really well. He’s now 6lb better off with the winner Famous Bridge and surely with that run behind him can improve enough to take a hand in the finish for his very much in form stable of Venetia Williams.

 

ELEANOR BOB 1 point each way @ 6/1 bet365 1/5th 123

 

Haydock 2.05

Eight line up for this class 3 handicap hurdle run over just short of two miles. Jagwar runs here in preference to Ascot Friday and at time of writing is being smashed up in the betting however the horse I like here is the Lucinda Russell runner Bois Guillbert who was well backed during the morning before his latest start at Cheltenham. He ran well there when weakening on the run in having been just behind the leader at the last finishing a creditable 7 1/2L third to subsequent winner Blueking D’Oroux with another subsequent winner Spirit D’Aunou back in fourth. The handicapper has left him on the same mark for that run and he can run well with regular jockey Stephen Mulqueen on board.

 

BOIS GUILLBERT 1 point win @ 5/1 Betfred

 

Ascot 2.25

A fair sized field of ten here for this 3M 97 yard Howden Long Walk Hurdle. Fergal O’Brien’s Crambo is an exciting staying hurdler but surely is too short here in the betting when you consider on official ratings he’s actually the worst off (bar Gowel Road) in the race. One horse who must go well despite his advancing years is Nicky Henderson’s Champ. He has an excellent record fresh which reads 1211211 which includes taking Newbury’s Long Distance Hurdle last season from Paisley Park who’s back in opposition here today and looks sure to run his usual solid race. The pick has also had a wind operation since last seen (the second in his career) and looks a solid each way bet.

 

CHAMP 1 point each way @ 11/2 William Hill 1/5th 1234

 

Ascot 3.00

A competitive eleven runner Howden Silver Cup Handicap Chase over 3M is next with many holding claims. The two Gavin Cromwell runners at the bottom of the handicap Yeah Man and Hascoeur Clermont have to be given the upmost respect but its the top weight of Venetia Williams’s Victtorino that catches my eye. He won a similar handicap over course and distance seven weeks ago (Yeah Man fell at last and 2lb better off). That was the five year old’s first run for 223 days and was obviously expected to need the run going off at 20/1 so should improve plenty for that fine effort and should run another big race under Williams’s stable jockey Charlie Deutsch.

 

VICTTORINO 1 point each way @ 6/1 bet365 1/5th 1234

 

Ascot 3.35

Eleven line up for the valuable Betfair Exchange Trophy, a handicap hurdle run over just short of two miles. Nicky Henderson and J P McManus look the combination to follow here with two strong contenders in the shape of Cheltenham winners from the Paddy Power meeting in Iberico Lord and Impose Toi who both won well and have been raised 8lb and 10lb respectively. Preference is for the former who looked good when winning the Greatwood Handicap Hurdle by 2 1/2L from Lookaway. This race looks no stronger and with Nico De Boinville in the saddle looks the most likeliest winner. The third Henderson runner here is Luccia who can be given a chance on her third to Iberico Lord last time, beaten 9 1/2L and now 8lb better off.

 

IBERICO LORD 1 point win @ 3/1 BetVictor

[Zilzalian]

Not sure what Kerry Lee is up to with Nemean Lion entered Saturday and boxing day Surely she wont be taking on Constitution Hill in the grade 1 so we are left with the 3:35 Ascot tomorrow. Many will say it was well beaten by Iberico Lord in the Greatwood, but if you watch that race again with the proviso that jumping is the name of the game and Nemean Lion made a few mistakes 10/1 makes it worth betting on a clear round 2nd time up.