I hope everybody had a great Christmas and is ready to enjoy the Christmas week racing, which is always a fantastic week of racing in the UK & Ireland.
There are a lot of races today so I am just going to keep this as short as possible.
Kempton 12.45 - Long Walk Hurdle
This is a really tricky betting heat, the ratings are firmly in the Champ & Paisley Park camp. Miranda however also come out well in some areas, but she will have quite a bit to find on the BHA ORs, likely 5 to 8 pounds to find, but she did look good up in trip over C&D last time out. That race however was not at this level, against stalwarts of the staying races.
Goshen is an interesting big step up in trip, but on a track that is not a slog, like a Haydock, Ascot, or Sandown, when they come up soft. Also going right-handed is a huge plus, so the combination of the ground but on a flat track and right-handed could be why he has been entered here.
Not So Sleepy is usually a mix of keen and prominent, he can't be discounted but is the one I would be most negative about given his run style and up in trip.
Tip
I think there could be a bit of a pace burn up and with that and the distance, this may catch out Goshen. Miranda has a lot to find Champ is a bit short in the markets for me. so the obvious play is...
Paisley Park Win & Place on the exchanges - Won
--- Leopardstown 13.10 - Knight Frank Novices Hurdle This race always produces future stars, now in Lossiemouth she could be another one for Mullins & Ricci, and everything points to her winning, especially in receipt of that 4lbs. Cougar also could be very good, i am usually not a big fan of flat horses moving to hurdles but he could be an exception, one definitely or a bigger price EW bet is Mctigue. Tip
Lossiemouth decent Win Bet - Won
Mctigue outsiders chance EW or Win & Place on Exchange Lost
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Kempton 13.20 - Kauto Star Novices Chase This is a strange market, Mcfabulous has drifted all morning and for me is now decent value, so he will be a cover trade in this year's renewal. However, I think Gelino Bello is a strong stayer in the making, a great performance end of last season in the Grade 1 Sefton hurdle, staying on strongly at Aintree. Over fences is unbeaten, albeit in very small fields, he has a tendency to jump to the right, so Kempton would be ideal to cater for that. I just hope Bryony gives him a good ride. Tip
Gelino Bello Win & Place - Fell
McFabaulous cover trade (Won in running)
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Kempton 13.55 - Christmas Hurdle
Constitution Hill Hcertainly looks bulletproof so you cannot really bet in this race, I will, however, trade on Sceau Royal, he likes Kempton, so hoping he trades lower in running than his current price of 44.
Tip
No Bet
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Leopardstown 14.20 - Grade 1 Novices Chase
Fil Dor looks to have the beating of Saint Roi, although a few less lbs in hand today, Hollow Games I have not been impressed with and I will be surprised if he won.
Given the prices and it being a Novices Chase, I am going to have a play on the 2 outsiders Midnight Run & Visionarian.
I do think Fil Dor could be useful, it is purely a price opinion in the race for me.
Tip Midnight Run - Lost & Visionarian - Placed small Win & Place bets. ---
Kempton 14.30 - King George VI Chase This is a very competitive renewal, I think L'Homme Presse has a cracking chance to win this year's Boxing Day highlight. Bravemanagame for me is a touch overrated at the very top level, but you cannot discount Nicholls' runners at Kempton, this brings me onto Hitman, very similar for me to Bravemansgame, loads of talent but he has underperformed more than his stablemate, but his price seems very big, so one definitely for EW or Win & Place markets. Ahoy Senor been hugely disappointing in his last 2 runs. Envoi Allen could easily run into a place and Kempton may really suit him, not to be discounted. Frodon will go from the front and fade away. Millers Bank, big ask. That leaves Eldorado Allen, who can run some pretty big races, he is bottom of my ratings, but outside of L'Homme Presse he is the one I think could have a big race to finish in the places, he always runs a fantastic race. You can put a line through Aintree end of season, he had 3 very big runs prior to that and that was likely one race too many. Tip L'homme Presse Win Only- Fell at Last. Eldorado Allen small Win & Place bet. - 4th --- Limerick 14.40 - Faugheen Novices Chase Looking forward to this, 2 very good horses on the Novice Chase campaign in Kilcruit & Gerri Colombe. This could be an excellent match-up, but I was taken with Kilcruit on his chase debut and nearly 3s on the exchanges, I would be happy to take that chance on him to get the better of his equally gifted rival. Tip Kilruit Win Only - Lost (jumped poorly) --- Other Tips Wetherby 11.52 - Micronormous Win & 2 Places - Lost Fontwell 11.57 - Rambo T Win & Place - Placed Down Royal 12.13 - Mel Monroe - Lost Leopardstown 12.35 - Dark Raven - Won Down Royal 12.48 - Bellaney Gem Win & Place - Placed Newcastle 12.50 - Budarri Win & Place - Lost Fontwell 13.07 - Rose Sea Has Win & Place - Won Huntingdon 13.15 - Largy Nights Win & Place - Placed Down Royal 13.23 - Jack In The Box Win & Place - Lost
Wincanton 14.03 - Huelgoat Win & Place - Placed & Midnight Midge Win & Place - Lost Market Rasen 14.15 - Spanish Present Win & Place - Placed
Huntingdon 14.57 - No Worries Win & Place - Lost Wolverhampton 15.00 - Tinker Toy Win & Place - Lost Wolverhampton 15.35 - Street Kid Win & Place Wolverhampton 16.10 - Baldomero Win & Place Good Luck James HRR