Racing Chat - December 26th 2023

[The Brigadier]

Merry Christmas everyone - thanks you for reading my pieces this year and I hope somewhere along the journey I've helped you find a winner or two.  

 

Kempton 12.45

We start the day’s ITV coverage with a eight runner novices’ handicap chase run over 2M 4 1/2F. The race has a very open look about it and it maybe worth chancing Alan King’s representative Es Perfecto who made a promising chasing debut in a similar contest as this when chasing home the ten length winner Ginny’s Destiny at Cheltenham 39 days ago. The form has been boosted by the subsequent success of the winner in grade 2 company since. Surprisingly the handicapper has dropped him a pound for that effort and with improvement to come looks likely to be thereabouts with the likes of Blow Your Wad and Russian Ruler dangers.

 

ES PERFECTO 1 point each way @ 6/1 bet365 1/5 123

 

Aintree 1.05

Registered as the Tolworth Hurdle the newly named Formby Novices’ Hurdle is run here for the first time having previously been raced at Sandown and has attracted a good sized field of ten. With challengers from Ireland and French this race will take some winning and the pick is the Nicky Henderson trained Jango Baie who made a winning debut under rules when getting the better of the re-appearing Tellherthename at Ascot 52 days ago. That form has worked out well and with a stronger pace here likely to suit can continue the good form of the Henderson stable who had an across the card four timer on Saturday.

 

JANGO BAIE 1 point win @ 10/3 William Hill

 

Kempton 1.20

A small but select field of just six line up for this years renewal of the 3M Ladbrokes Kauto Star Novices’ Chase. French challenger Il Est Francais is obviously very smart but has no experience of British fences or drying ground and the one to beat may well be the Paul Nicholls trained Hermes Allen. He steps up to three miles for the first time here under rules but as a 3M Irish point winner and the tightness of this flat track it really shouldn’t be an issue for this exciting novice. His trainer was at pains to say he would need the run before he made a winning chasing debut at Newbury 25 days ago and with likely improvement to come can give his trainer a winner in a race he won two years ago with Bravemansgame.

 

HERMES ALLEN 1 point win @ 15/8 bet365

 

Wetherby 1.35

Only six line up for the 3M Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase with each of the sextet having a chance of sorts. Mark Walford’s Into Overdrive won this last year off of a handicap mark 3lb lower ver than today’s and can score again despite a 287 day absence. He won first time out last season so can run well fresh and with a record at the Yorkshire track of two wins from four starts looks the one to be with. Another horse back from a layoff is Kim Bailey’s top weight Does He Know and he too has a good record fresh and looks a threat.

INTO OVERDRIVE 1 point win @ 7/2 BetVictor

 

Kempton 1.55

Just six go to post for the Ladbrokes Christmas hurdle run over two miles in which see’s the re-appearance of the reigning Champion Hurdler Constitution Hill who remains unbeaten under rules having won all seven of his starts including at the last two Cheltenham Festivals and this very race last year. The fact he has won first time out for the last two years by 12 and 14 lengths suggests he will be ready here and with 26lb and upwards in hand of his rivals it will be a major shock were he to get beaten. Rubaud looks the one for the forecast.

 

Kempton 2.30

The day’s feature race is the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase run over three miles. We only have a field of six but they’re all quality chasers with Willie Mullins’s Allaho heading the market. He must go well but preference is for Paul Nicholl’s Bravemansgame. He is two from two at the track having won the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase and this race here over the last two years. The track and ground conditions look ideal for him and although he may not have been at his best for his two starts this season he’s hardly been beaten that far so he can take this famous race for the second time under his usual partner Harry Cobden.

 

BRAVEMANSGAME 1 point win @ 9/4 BetUK

 

[LordMulberry]

Merry Christmas to you mate,made a few quid from your picks and daily naps....👍