Hi all,
The Christmas bonanza of quality jump racing continues today. I’m writing this before racing on Boxing Day so I don’t know how that day’s sport went but hopefully it will have been a profitable one.
Inside today’s main piece I look at the best of the action from Chepstow where it’s Welsh Grand National Day and Kempton. I also look at the big handicap chase at Leopardstown and the Castleford Handicap Chase at Wetherby. Ass ever today’s betting advice can be found at the preview.
For me today’s racing is even better than yesterdays. Besides the Coral Welsh Grand National (2.50) we have the final day of Kempton’s Christmas meeting. Meanwhile across the Irish Sea it’s day two of Leopardstown Christmas meeting. There are two Grade 1’s on a seven race card. Paddy’s Rewards Club Chase (1.10) see’s the return of Chacun Pour Soi who won the 2020 renewal. And the Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle (1.45) will likely see Facile Vega a very short price to make it 2-2 over hurdles. For me the best race on the card is the Paddy Power Handicap Chase (3.00).
It’s also a good day for terrestrial tv viewers. With ITV racing covering five races from Kempton and four from Chepstow on a nine race programme this afternoon.
So, without further ado: Let’s look at the best of today’s action at Chepstow.
Chepstow
Besides the Welsh Grand National I have also looked at two of the other races on ITV4 this afternoon.
1:05 – Coral Get Closer To The Action Handicap Chase (2m 3 ½ f)
Golden Whisky won this race 12 months ago. He hasn’t run to that level of form on three subsequent starts including on seasonal return last month, but the handicapper has been lenient and he’s 3lb below his last winning mark. Another bold bid looks on the cards.
Red Rookie ran well for a long way before falling at the last in the Arkle Novices’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. The 7-year-old back in calmer waters here and given he’s only had four starts over fences is capable of more progressive in the sphere.
Enzo D’Airy won over C&D on his first start for 653-days, earlier this month. Has a 6lb rise in the weight’s to contend with but looks set for another bold show if building on his last time out effort.
Fugitif needs to prove his stamina for an extended 2m 3 ½ f, I think he will stay and there was plenty to like about his 1 ½ length 2nd of 8 to Amarillo Sky at Cheltenham (2m) last month. He looks on a competitive mark.
2:10 – Coral Racing Club Handicap Hurdle (2m 7 ½ f)
Bells Of Peterboro has run respectability on all four starts over fences this season back over hurdles here in a race he won last year from 3lb lower. Must be respected in his back to back successes in the race.
Green Book a useful stayer on the flat won three handicap hurdles and was a respectable 5th of 16 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. Returns for the first time this season and after wind surgery. Sold claims off 5lb higher than his last winning mark
Just A Dime had Flemenstide 3 ¾ length back in second when winning a Exeter novice hurdle (2m 7f) back in March. The latter makes his belated seasonal rwturn. Meanwhile Just A Dime was a decent 2nd of 6 at Carlisle on his seasonal return last month. The return to further will suit the 6-year-old on handicap debut. There shouldn’t be much between the pair at the weights but I just prefer the claims of a Just A Dime.
2:50 – Coral Welsh Grand National Handicap Chase (3m 6 ½ f)
In the last 25 years Welsh Grand National hasn’t been run with good in the going description but it looks like that will change this afternoon. That said plenty of rain is being forecast for the track tomorrow afternoon. Nineteen were left in the race at yesterday’s final declaration stage and here are those on my initial shortlist.
Quick Wave is the ante post favourite after an impressive win in the London National at Sandown last time. A 4lb penalty won’t stop the mare if she’s in the same form again. That’s the concern she’s been a fragile horse in the past and is 0-4, 1 place when returning within 30-days of her last run.
Irish challenger The Big Dog comes into the race in brilliant form having won the Munster National and the valuable Troytown Handicap Chase at Navan. Has a 4lb penalty to carry for his latest success but is still 5lb below his new Irish mark. This trip will suit, and the more testing ground the better his chance.
I wouldn’t put anyone off. He ran a cracker in the Coral Gold Cup and is very good horse who will be suited by the step up in trip. He’s yet to win over the larger obstacles but its surely only a matter of time before he does.
Pat’s Fancy had spin over hurdles on his seasonal return. The 7-year-old is a dual course winner and he beat Gericault Roque ½ length here last December. This sort of stamina test should really suit him and tick’s all the trends’ boxes for a soft ground race.
The Galloping Bear did me a couple of favours last season and had a nice prep over hurdles at Carlisle a month ago. A thorough stayer, the 9-year-old was subsequently disqualified after winning the Haydock Grand National Trial in February and can race off the same mark here.
Ask Me Early is 3-4 at Chepstow and returned from a 9 month absence with an encouraging 13 length 3rd of 12 to Le Milos at Bangor 48-days ago. The 8-year-old was strongly fancied for last years race but was forced to miss it due to a schooling fall.
The first time cheekpieces could suit Fortescue and he should be staying on when others have had enough. He’s another who won’t be inconvenienced by further rain.
Kempton
The race of the day at Kempton is the Grade 2 Ladbrokes Desert Orchid Chase (2:30). Where recent Tingle Creek winner Edwardstone will be tough to beat. His nearest market rival 2020 winner Nube Negra is respected but the recent rain isn’t a plus to chance. On softer ground his main rival could be Irish challenger Captain Guinness who makes plenty of each way appeal at double figure odds.
3:09 – Remastered looked as good as ever than ever when ½-length second of 15 to Le Milos in Coral Gold Cup at Newbury last time. Now 4lb higher but high on the shortlist.
Your Darling looked much improved when running out a comfortable winner at Ascot on his seasonal return last month. Has been hiked up 10lb for his Ascot win but not ruled out if in the same form as last time. Flegmatik was about 4 lengths back in third in that Ascot race and gets a handy 9lb pull today. Form figures of 311 at Kempton means he has to be respected
Five Star Getaway won this race last year off today’s mark and wasn’t disgraced when a 13 ½ length 5th of 22 in the Becher Chase at Aintree 24-days ago. Found his stamina stretched over 3m 2f last time and will be suited by the drop back to 3m here.
Fontaine Collonges ended last season in winning form when successful at Lingfield in January. The mare handled a 10b rise in the weights when winning on her seasonal return at Haydock (3m ½ f) last month. Up 5lb but going the right way over fences.
Tile Tapper must prove his stamina for 3m and ended last season with a win at Chepstow in February. Made a solid return to action when a 3 ¼ length 2nd of 11 at Exeter 25-days ago. Open to further improvement over fences, just his fifth start, and in the mix if staying today’s longer trip.
3:40 – L’Eau Du Sud was the only one to give the all the way winner Stainsby Girl a race when fourth at Haydock last month. Twice a hurdle winner when trained in France today’s drop in trip could suit. The tongue tie he wore in France return today.
Master Dancer, a winner over fences when trained in France, made a winning hurdle debut at Stratford and improved again when a length 3rd of 19 in novice handicap hurdle at Cheltenham last month. Up 4lb but remains on a competitive mark.
No Ordinary Joe a winner of his first two starts over hurdles in May 2021. Given how keen he was out in front did well to finish 3rd of 19 to West Cork in Greatwood Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham last November. Not seen on the track since pulling up at Ascot 12 months ago. Competitively weighted if less keen and ready to roll after his long break.
Big Boy Bobby got off the mark at the sixth attempt over hurdles when winning at Huntingdon earlier this month. Up 7lb in a deeper race but still needs to be respected if the ground continues to dry out.
Swaffham Bulbeck isn’t weighed out of this if producing his very best but remains vulnerable to better treated rivals.
Leopardstown
3:00 – Paddy Power Chase (Extended Handicap Chase) (3m)
Twenty eight have been declared for Leopardstown’s big betting race.
Panda Boy 1-3 over fences has been well backed ante post for this. The 6-year-old won a handicap hurdle here 12 months ago but needs to find plenty of improvement on his handicap debut which he may well do.
Ain’t That A Shame remains a maiden after five starts over the larger obstacles but posted a career best when a head 2nd of 16 to The Big Dog in the Munster National at Limerick 65-day ago. The winner has gone in again since and but for a mistake at the last he may well have held onto win at last time. Up 7lb but high on the shortlist.
Top-weight Ciel De Neige must prove his stamina for 3m but it’s interesting that Willie Mullins brings the 7-year-old here on his seasonal return. He’s got a touch of class and if he does stay he’s handicapped to go close.
Farceur Du Large looked well suited by the step up to 2m 6f when winning at Punchestown last month. Up 6lb but the step up to 3m could suit the 7-year-old and trainer Noel Meade won last year’s race. Take All was 1 ¾ lengths behind in second in that Punchestown race. The step up in trip also the 7-year-old that day and he’s now 4lb better off with the winner. If he stays today’s extra two furlongs he’s got to be respected.
Enjoy D’Allen was a 3 length 3rd of 28 in last year’s race. Two no shows over hurdles this season should have put him spot on fitness wise for another tilt at the race. Likely to give another good account of himself and has each way claims once more.
Betting Advice:
Chepstow
1:05 – Golden Whisky – 1pt win – 10/1 @ Bet365 & Coral and Red Rookie – 1pt win – 5/1 @ Bet365 & Coral
2:10 – Bells Of Peterboro – 1pt win – 10/1 @ Bet365 & Coral
2:50 – The Galloping Bear – 1pt win – 11/2 @ Bet365 & Coral and Pats Fancy – 1pt win – 10/1 @ Bet365
Kempton
3:09 – Five Star Getaway – 1pt win – 15/2 @ Bet365 and Tile Tapper – 1pt win – 12/1 @ Bet365
3:40 – Master Dancer – 1pt win – 7/1 @ Bet365
Leopardstown
3:00 – Take All – 1pt win – 25/1 @ Bet365 and Enjoy D’allen – 1pt win – 22/1 @ Bet365
Cheers
John