Hi all,
The final day’s racing before the big Boxing Day extravaganza. It’s not a bad day’s sport in truth and given we don’t have any racing for three days I have had a good look at Thursday’s action. Yes, I’ve got involved in several races that I wouldn’t normally consider but its been a slow month and as the old saying goes ‘nothing ventured nothing gained’.
The final day of racing before Christmas sees jump fixtures at Ayr and Ffos Las. There’re also two all-weather meetings. Lingfield hosts a seven race card this afternoon and Southwell concludes the day’s action under the floodlights this evening.
Lingfield have managed to reschedule the Winter Oaks Trial (2:20) which was lost to the weather on Saturday. Ironically the race has three more runners than were due to start at the weekend.
Today’s betting advice can be found at the end of the main piece.
Lingfield
2:20 – Queen Of Ipanema will be warm order in her bid for a six timer. The 3-year-old is just 3lb higher than when winning at Wolverhampton 19-days ago. She’s up two notches in class today but you wouldn’t be surprised if she was up to the task.
Makinmedoit came from behind and produced a good turn of foot to win a C&D handicap 22-days ago. Another who’s been raised 3lb for her latest success but there’s no reason why she won’t go well again.
Tahasun is more exposed than some in the field and she does take a big hike in class here. However, she showed a good attitude to win a C&D handicap last month. Has a handy low draw in stall 1 and has each way claims.
Ayr
2:00 – Half Track has failed to complete on three starts over fences this autumn. The 6-year-old won a C&D novice hurdle last December and although he didn’t really build on that effort on two subsequent starts in handicap company, he now returns to the smaller obstacles of what looks a competitive mark.
3:00 – Cobolobo is on a losing run that goes back two years, but he showed last season that he could be competitive on a going day as he showed when a nose 2nd of 10 at Ascot last January from 3lb higher Probably needed the run when pulling up at Warwick last month. He stopped quickly that day and ran like something might have been amiss. Handicapped to win if on a going day and you’re happy excuse his seasonal reappearance effort.
Ffos Las
2:10 – French Paradoxe made it 2-4 over fences when winning at Wetherby 29-days ago. Up 5lb but also open to more improvement. Both wins over fences have come on rain softened ground so provided the ground is deep enough I think the 7-year-old can complete the hat trick. Trainer had a winner at Hereford yesterday.
Fairlawn Flyer had looked like a progressive staying handicap chaser when rattling off a C&D hat trick last season. Was never jumping or travelling at Warwick on his return from a 9 month lay off at Warwick last month. That run was too bad to be true given his previous improving form. The cheekpieces go on here and he can’t be discounted back at a venue he goes well at. Trainer Peter Bowen came off the cold list with a winner at Hereford yesterday.
Southwell
8:00 – Miss Calculation is on a losing run of 17 but she’s in decent enough form. A close-up 2nd of 12 at Wolverhampton two starts back. The filly didn’t get the best of passages two out back at the same venue 26-days ago. Is on a mark she can win off when all the cards fall right, and her yard is among the winners.
Betting Advice:
Lingfield
2:20 – Tahasun – 1pt win – 14/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
Ayr
2:00 – Half Track – 1pt win – 7/1 @ Bet365
3:00 – Cobolobo – 1pt win – 12/1 @ Bet365
Ffos Las
2:10 – French Paradoxe – 1pt win – 6/1 @ Bet365 and Fairlawn Flyer – 1pt win – 17/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
Southwell
8:00 – Miss Calculation – 1pt win – 7/1 @ Bet365
My Boxing Day preview will be with you over the next couple of day so watch your inboxes
Wishing you and yours a very happy Christmas.
Cheers
John