Hi all,
Clan Des Obeaux & Top Ville Ben landed the big Christmas races at Kempton & Wetherby to get the festive racing off to a great start for subscribers.
There’s more top-class racing on Friday with the highlight being the Coral Welsh Grand National at Chepstow.
I have selections from Chepstow, Kempton and over the Irish Sea at Leopardstown.
Chepstow
2:50 – Coral Welsh Grand National Handicap Chase (Grade 3) – 3m 6 ½ f
A field of 17 are set to go to post for this annual Christmas cracker of a handicap chase.
It was disappointing Boxing Day for trainer Colin Tizzard with Lostintranslation’s tame effort in the King George VI. However, Elegant Escape has a great chance of back to back wins in the race. The 7-year-old maybe 9lb higher than when winning this 12 months ago but he’s the class horse of the race and will take some stopping.
For those looking for runners at bigger prices, Pobbles Bay and The Two Amigos have each way claims. The first named won the 3m 4f West Wales National at Ffos Las in the spring, off 9lb lower. Two runs over hurdles so far this season will have put him spot on fitness wise for this. Retains some potential for better over marathon trips and is a lively long shot.
The Two Amigos is a solid jumper and stays well, won the Sussex National and an Exeter marathon chase last season. Three from six over fences and is effective on soft & heavy ground. The 7-year-old has scope for further improvement this season and is another each way contender at big odds.
Verdict: Elegant Escape will take plenty of beating but hopefully Pobbles Bay and The Two Amigos can get into the money.
0.5pts each way – Pobbles Bay – 20/1 @ Coral (Paying 5 places 1/5 odds)
0.5pts each way – The Two Amigos – 20/1 @ Bet365 (paying 4 places ¼ odds)
Kempton
1:55 – Culture De Sivola won these mares only handicap hurdle 12 months ago. The 7-year-old shaped with promise when 3rd of 11 at Uttoxeter before finishing runner up to Papagana in a Listed Mares hurdle here last month. Racing off 5lb higher this time around she remains on a competitive mark and has a great chance of back to back wins in the race. Molly Childers was beaten 1 ¾ lengths by Culture De Sivola last year but she gets a 6lb pull and her trainer Stuart Edmunds has his horses in winning form. She won’t be far away again.
1pt win – Culture De Sivola – 7/2 – Gen
1pt win – Molly Childers – 9/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
Wetherby
1:55 – Chesterfield, a high-class handicap hurdler, made a promising handicap chase debut when 3rd of 14 behind Magic Saint at Newbury. The 9-year-old has only had the five starts over fences and remains with potential over fences. Might be better on a slightly sounder surface but even so looks set for big run. Charmant gets the first time cheekpieces today. The 7-year-old looked a handicap chaser worth following when winning at Ayr in March off 5lb lower and fell when still going well at Carlisle in a novice chase later that month. Made an encouraging return to action when 4th of 8 at Aintree 48-days ago. Capable of going close if the first-time headgear has the desired effect.
1pt win – Chesterfield – 6/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
1pt win – Charmant – 17/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
Leopardstown
Although the most competitive race of the day is the Welsh Grand National. Today’s Leopardstown card is the best in terms of quality with two Grade 1 races and a couple of valuable big field handicaps part of a seven-race card.
2:55 – Paddy Power Chase (Extended Handicap Chase) (Grade B) – 3m
Twenty-eight handicap chasers are set to go to post for this year’s running of the Paddy Power Handicap Chase.
No Comment found 2m an inadequate trip behind Magic Saint at Newbury last time. The 8-year-old will be better suited by a return to 3m and should be judged on his 5th of 23 in the Kim Muir Handicap Chase at Cheltenham in March. He’s on a winnable mark and shouldn’t be far away.
Four places in front of him at Cheltenham was Any Second Now. The 7-year-old was the beaten favourite in this race 12 months ago (5/1) when 5th of 27 and looks capable of going close if on a going day. Poor seasonal reappearance at Cork but ran a lot better when runner-up to Battleoverdoyen at Punchestown last month.
Fitzhenry was third in this 12 months ago and is another set for a big run especially if the going was to ease further. Like the previous two horses mentioned he’s owned by J P McManus who has a strong hand of runners in the race.
Trainer Henry De Bromhead also has a strong hand of runners with Poker Party, Solomn Grundy & Plan of Attack all being strong contenders. The latter made it 2 wins from 3 runs over fences when winning at Aintree 61-days ago. He’s only 3lb higher now and the 6-year-old who has seemed at his best on a sound surface showed he’s versatile going wise when winning on soft at Aintree. Needs to improve further to win a race of this quality but he’s going the right way and the progress required could be forthcoming.
0.5pts each way – Any Second Now – 16/1 @ Bet365 – (paying 5 places ¼ odds)
0.5pts each way – Plan Of Attack – 18/1 @ Ladbrokes (paying 6 places 1/5 odds)
Cheers
John