Hi all,
I wasn’t able to post up any ante post selections on Wednesday so decided to wait until today.
There’s some interesting racing at Kempton but I will be keeping my powder fairly dry on Boxing Day, as there will be plenty more betting opportunities over the week.
The ITV cameras are covering five races on Boxing Day. Four from Kempton and one from Wetherby. On Sunday and Monday, they will be broadcasting a bumper sixteen races over the two days.
Looks a mainly dry Boxing Day so the ground isn’t likely to be testing at Kempton. Storm Bella is incoming, with perhaps 10 to 15 mm rain expected overnight which is likely to make the going more testing on Sunday. Let’s hope the Welsh Grand National at Chepstow will survive the deluge as the going is already described as heavy at the Welsh track. If they do race it will be attritional that’s for sure. Anyway, back to today
Kempton
1:15 – I like the claims of Hold The Note here. The 6-year-old was quickly pulled up in this race 12 months ago after being badly hampered at the 10th. He then went onto run Two For Gold to ½ length in Grade 2 at Warwick and was a good third behind Imperial Aura at the Cheltenham Festival. Granted he hasn’t been anywhere near that form on his three starts this season but he’s dropped back down to a competitive mark if he can bounce back to last season’s best. Trainer Mick Channon won this race with Glen Forza in 2018 and saddled the runner-up in 2017.
1pt win – Hold The Note – 7/1 @ Bet365 & Coral
3:00 – Ladbrokes King George VI Chase – 3m
Clan Des Obeaux bids for hat trick King George wins and looks likely to go off favourite. A good second in the Betfair Chase on his seasonal reappearance. Provided a tough race at Haydock hasn’t left his mark he’s the one to beat.
Cyrname last year’s beaten favourite, has 21 lengths to find with his stablemate. 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.
You can’t dismiss the claims of Lostintranslation. He pulled up in this 12 months ago and didn’t enjoy the heavy ground in the Betfair Chase last month. Better ground will suit the 8-year-old and his third placed effort in the Gold Cup is as good a form as there is here.
Santini made an underwhelming seasonal return at Aintree three weeks ago. Trainer Nicky Henderson supplemented him for the race on Monday. Not sure that 3m around here will play to his strengths though.
Saint Calvados has an each-way chance. He’s been doing most of his racing at 2m but improved when stepped up to 2m 4f on his last two starts of last season, on the final occasion finishing runner-up in the Ryanair a length down to Min. Three miles could be in his stamina range but this is his first start since March.
Waiting Patiently is another with place claims. The 9-year-old is having his first start since a strong finishing third in last season’s Tingle Creek Chase. That was over 2m but he stays 2m 4f well and could stay 3m. Was still going well when unseating his rider in this race 2-years ago and softer ground won’t inconvenience.
Verdict:
I think Cyrname can beat stablemate Clan Des Obeaux. On good to soft Lostintranslation could easily bounce back and win this and for those looking for one each way Waiting Patiently should give you a good run for your money provided the ground is soft enough.
2pt win – Cyrname – 11/4 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportsbook
3:35 – Barbados Blue returns from 593-day break in this 2m 5f handicap hurdle. The mare won on a bumper on her racecourse debut so she’s capable of going well fresh. Beat just two rivals when winning a maiden hurdle over C&D in May 2019. Both wins have come on good ground so soft ground will be a bit of an unknown but I think she’s on a competitive mark.
Distingo ran poorly last season but is a well handclapped horse on his best form two seasons back. Ran with encouragement when 4th of 11 here over 3m last month. This intermediate trip could be ideal and any drying ground will also suit.
1pt win – Barbados Blue – 9/2 @ Bet365 & Paddy Power
Wetherby
The best race on the Wetherby card is the Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase (2:05). It’s also the best handicap either side of the Irish Sea on Boxing Day.
2:05 – The likes of Canelo, Spiritofthegames, Springtown Lake & Windsor Avenue all have good chances if they stay. However, on soft ground it could pay to go with one of proven stayers in the none strong field.
Wandrin Star bounced back to form on his first start after a wind-op when beaten a head by Quarenta at Ascot last month. He’s up 4lb and in higher grade but remains on a competitive mark. The 9-year-old has tended to go well fresh in the past but hopefully a 36-day break will be sufficient break.
Snow Leopardess finished runner-up to Shan Blue here on her second start over fences before going onto win a soft ground Class 2 handicap at Haydock 35-days ago. The mare stays well and is very effective on soft ground. Up 9lb for that Haydock success but she’s capable of more improvement.
1pt win – Snow Leopardess – 4/1 – Gen
Cheers
John