Author: John Burke

Hi all,

Hardly a good start to the Christmas racing but hopefully there’s a winner lurking among today’s three selections.

Newcastle

6:35 – Lomu – 9/5 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportbook – The 6-year-old’s last win came off 3lb higher at Wolverhampton 12 months ago. Has been knocking on his last two starts at Chelmsford and Lingfield. Was beaten a length into 5^th in Class 2 handicap off today’s mark at Lingfield, 9-days ago.  Big chance if replicating that form in this company.

Catterick

3:07 – Toi Storey – 5/1 @Bet365 – Won this corresponding race 12 months ago. Not in the same form since but is now 10lb lower than last year and looks capable of a much better performance today.

Limerick

1:35 – Dessie Deschamps – 9/2 @ Bet365 – Would probably have won handicap hurdle at Navan last time but for mistakes at the final two hurdles. Nudged up a 1lb but is a winnable mark. Second reserve here but if he gets in can go close.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Chepstow’s Welsh Grand National Meeting has been abandoned due to waterlogging which leaves two selections from Kempton.

Kempton

1:55 – Empressive Lady – 9/2 @ Bet365 – Bids for the hat trick after wins at Exeter and Sandown. The mare showed a good attitude to prevail on her handicap debut over 2m 4f last time.  Up 5lb for her Sandown win and has her first try over 3m today. If she stays, she will be tough to beat.

3:40 – Hang In There – 4/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – A useful novice hurdler the 6-year-old shaped much better for a return to prominent riding tactics when 6th of 12 at Newbury last time. He probably didn’t stay 2m 4 ½ f that day and the return to 2m here should suit better.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Just the two for Boxing Day.

Kempton

3:00 – Cyrname – 11/4 @ Paddy Power – Last year’s King George VI beaten favourite, has 21 lengths to find with his stablemate Clan Des Obeaux on that running. I don’t think he was right 12 months ago and probably proved his stamina for 3m when winning the Charlie Hall at Wetherby. He’s been given a 56-day break to freshen him up and I think he win this.

Wetherby

1:28 – Johnbb – 11/4 @ William Hill – Made a winning return to action over C&D last month and although he’s been raised 6lb for that success he’s only had the four starts over fences and is capable of more improvement.

Cheers

John

Morning all,

Today’s selections are from Lingfield & Huntingdon. I hope you all have a peaceful Christmas and I will be back on Boxing Day.

Lingfield

2:45 – By Jove – 9/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – A winner of his first two starts this year for his previous yard. He may have just needed the run when 5^th of 9 over C&D 13-days ago. Only beaten 3 ½ lengths that day and gets the first time cheekpieces applied. If the headgear has the desired, I expect him to go close.

Huntingdon

12:35 – The Tin Miner – 11/2 @ Bet365 – The selection made all to win at Plumpton back in January, off 2lb lower. He wasn’t disgraced when 2^nd of 8 at Fontwell on his seasonal return 46-days ago. If the 9-year-old can build on that effort he shouldn’t be far away.

3:05 – Fact Flow – 5/1 @ Bet365 – Twice a winner at Uttoxeter the 11-year-old posted an excellent effort on his second start of the season when 2^nd of 14 at Leicester 23-days ago. Both career wins have come on good/good to soft ground but should fine today’s going.  Up 4lb, but remains competitive.

Cheers

John

Morning all,

We have a hit a bit of a flat spot of late and could do with a winner or two on the final two days racing before Boxing Day.

All today’s three selections are from Newcastle.

Newcastle

2:55 – Tukhoom – 5/1 @ Bet365 –  Shaped with promise on his first start since returning to the David O’Meara yard when 5^th of 9 at Wolverhampton 16-days ago. Has yet to win on the all-weather after 12 starts but has placed over C&D in the past. Steps back up to 7f here which is a positive and shouldn’t be far away.

4:55 – Rockley Point – 5/1 @ Bet365 & Paddy Power – A previous C&D winner has been maintaining his form well since winning at Catterick back in October with two placed efforts here over 5f. Held every chance when 3^rd of 14 here 6-days ago and if reproducing that form looks to have a good chance.

5:25 – Etikaal – 3/1 @ Bet365 – Is a three-time winner at the course including C&D.  He comes into the race in decent enough form and was finishing his race off well when 3^rd of 14 over C&D, 34-days ago. Now 2lb below his last winning mark and looks capable of winning a race like this when all the cards fall right.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Today’s selections are from Thurles.

Thurles

1:00 – Warreedy – 3/1 @ Bet365 – returned from 297-day absence to win over fences at Roscommon in August and then went on to win twice over hurdles. Returns from a 104-day layoff off a higher mark over fences but it looks workable if he can if his hurdle form can be replicated.

2:30 – Strange Notions – 15/2 @ Ladbrokes – Won a C&D maiden in March but prior to that had run even better when 5^th of 27 in a valuable handicap hurdle at Leopardstown. Has gone well fresh in the past and won’t have any issues with any problems with underfoot conditions.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Haydock

1:30 – Ball D’Arc – 8/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – A high class chaser, a few seasons back when with Gordon Elliott. The 9-year-old lost his way and things didn’t get any better on three starts for Peter Winks last season. Hopes rest on the switch to the Laura Morgan yard having a positive effect on him. Off a tempting handicap mark if it has and it’s worth noting he’s 3 wins from 4 runs 4 placed over fences with heavy in the going description and in field sizes 7 or less.

3:15 – Clyne – 17/2 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportsbook – It might be worth chancing double previous course winner Clyne here despite a poor run (50/1) in a much better race last month. His veteran now but all his wins have come on soft and heavy (3-8 5 placed on heavy) and he’s 2-4 3 places in December. Granted he’s yet to win beyond 2m 4f but this is a drop-in class and he’s on a good mark.

Newcastle

2:50 – Le Grand Fromage – 7/2 @ Bet365 & Paddy Power –  A seven race maiden over hurdles. The 5-year-old a full brother to Ballyandy makes his debut over fences.The selection can be keen in his races. as he was when 4^th of 11 at Uttoxeter 27-days so a decently run 2m could suit over the larger obstacles. Goes on soft ground, trainer is among the winners and has a good record with his runners at Newcastle.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Ascot

3:05 – Allart – 11/4 @ Coral & Ladbrokes –  Nicky Henderson throws Allart into the deep end for his chase debut. A good fifth behind stablemate Shishkin in the Supreme at the Cheltenham Festival. This is first start since March but he could turn out to be high class over the larger obstacles.

Dundalk

5:30 – Mr Ormsby – 10/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – A previous C&D winner but on a losing run of 14. The 7-year-old has been lightly raced since the summer of 2019, just the one start when a decent 4^th of 12 here over a mile back in February. Has been dropped 3lb by the handicapper and looks on a competitive mark 

6:00 – Harpocrates – 11/1 @ Paddy Power & William Hill – Ran much better than he had done on his stable debut when runner-up in a 1m minor race here 32-days ago. Handicap debut off what looks a tough mark of 101 but has a touch of class in this field.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Hereford

1:55 – Golden Whiskey – 4/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – A winner of a handicap chase at Ffos Las (heavy) last season, both career wins at the Welsh track, has just had the two starts since pulling up at Ascot 12 months ago. Satisfactory return to action when 4^th of 9 over an inadequate 2m 1 ½ f at Exeter 25-days ago. Should be sharper for that run and can go close for an inform yard.  

15:05 – Avantgardist – 17/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – Was in the process of running a good race when badly hampered by faller two out at Ludlow last month. He was well backed before the race which suggests connections think he’s capable of winning of his present mark. Suited by soft ground and although he might be better over further the testing ground will bring his stamina in to play. He will do for me each way.

Exeter

2:40 – Go Whatever – 9/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – Two from five or hurdles last season, including a 2m 7 ½ f Class 2 handicap hurdle at Sandown last December. Ran well on his chase debut when 4^th of 9 at Ascot last month. That was the 6-year-old’s first start for 294-days and the yards runners often come on for a run.  Likes the mud and looks capable of making his mark over the larger obstacles.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Today’s selections are from Newbury, Ludlow & Dundalk.

Newbury

1:10 – No Getaway – 4/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – A soft ground hurdle winner at Hereford last season. The 7-year-old produced a good effort on his chasing debut at Market Rasen 27-days ago. Steps up to 3m with stamina to prove but he’s a half-brother to Grand National winner One For Arthur so should stay. Races off the same mark as last time and can win races over fences.

Ludlow

12:50 – Annsam – 2/1 @ Sky Bet – Likely favourite, Fidelio Vallis will be a tough nut to crack but the selection can hopefully put his experience to good use here. A faller on his chase debut the 5-year-old shaped with plenty of promise when runner-up in beginners’ chase over C&D 23-days ago. Twice a winner on soft over hurdles last season he’s highly regarded and can win races in the sphere.

Dundalk

5:45 – Indiana Grey – 13/2 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportbook – A winner over C&D two starts back, off 9lb lower.  The filly showed she remains on a competitive mark when finishing 2^nd of 12 here 12-days ago and provided they go a decent gallop should be far away again. Jockey Danny Sheehy couldn’t claim 5lb last time but can here.

Cheers

John