_edited.png)
12:13 - SUNDRENCHED (E/W)
12:48 - O’TOOLE (WIN)
13:23 - BEAT OF THE SEA (E/W)
13:58
This isn’t the strongest Beginners Chase ever run but has some interesting contenders all the same. The twice-raced Josh D’id finished behind smart horses like Teahupoo and Buzz Light over hurdles and it’s interesting that connections opt to send him chasing now.
Champagne Sparkles has yet to win but has been placed on both starts over fences. He’s ridden by leading flat apprentice Sam Ewing, who’s having his first ride over fences here.
The one I like is Fakir D’alene also trained by Gordon and the choice of Denis O’Regan. The French-bred was a winner over hurdles and wasn’t beaten far on chasing debut at Cork last month.
14:33 - IT'S ONLY A NUMBER (WIN)
15:03 - VAUCELET (WIN)
15:35 - WESTERN WALK (E/W)
11:57 - RISK D’ARGENT (WIN)
12:32 - MANNING ESTATE (E/W)
13:07 - NAVEGAON GATE (E/W)
13:42 - FLAMINGER (WIN)
14:17
Pyramid Place improved when placing third, last time out, at Doncaster over today’s distance. There’s every chance that he can build on that race, moreover, he has a nice weight and should be suited by the sharp two miles and a furlong. He should go well but would have to produce a career best to win today.
Royaume Uni is a nice progressive performer and his third at Cheltenham is probably the bests form you’ll find in this race. He shouldn’t be deterred by the slight step up in trip, especially as Fontwell is less demanding than Cheltenham. Additionally, the Moore’s are the leaders in their respective category’s at Fontwell. However, he’s never raced at the track before and the threat of rain might hamper his cause.
Hystery Bere showed a bit of upside last year and makes his handicap debut today, after having wind surgery. He won over course and distance in a promising fashion and would appreciate any presumed rain. He has a nice weight considering and Jordan Nailor takes three pounds off. If he doesn’t feel effects of coming back from a long layoff, he could make his seasonal debut a winning one.
14:52 - NESSFIELD BLUE (WIN)
15:27 - GLOBAL AGREEMENT (WIN)
12:06 - NELSONS ROCK (WIN)
12:40 - LOUNGE LIZARD (WIN)
13:15 - KILBREW KING (WIN)
13:47
Probably the most complex race on the card.
A handicap hurdle over two and a half miles.
Grand Lord is an interesting runner. He has shown plenty of ability, but also has shown some temperament to match. He ran out on his latest start when making the running, so there’s every chance we will see him getting some cover this time. Off a moderate handicap mark, he shouldn’t be underestimated.
Cheng Gong is a consistent type, but does struggle to get his head in front. It would appear he had an impossible task when runner up here two starts ago behind an Irish runner, who has bolted up since. He should run well.
Get Prepared is the selection. He has taken his time to get the hang of things. But the penny finally dropped last time after showing glimmers of ability.
It wasn’t the most competitive race he won at Southwell last time, but he looks progressive and he could be the type to thrive off his current mark.
14:22 - GALILEO SILVER (WIN)
14:57 - PASSING SECRETS (WIN)
15:32 - CRAMBO (E/W)
12.45 - BROOMFIELD BURG (WIN)
15.40 - EARLOFCOTSWOLDS (WIN)
12:00 - TEED UP (E/W)
12:35 - MEET AND GREET (E/W)
13:10 - FIL DOR (WIN)
13:45 - MARE QUIMBY (E/W)
14:20
Just six horses face the starter for this Grade 1 contest but it doesn’t lack in quality. Ferny Hollow is a worthy favourite and is already a leading fancy to win the Arkle at Cheltenham. The former Champion Bumper winner proved too good for Coeur Sublime on chasing debut and should do so again.
Gallant John Joe is a likeable sort but is returning from a lengthy absence, while Riviere D’etel rates the main danger, with two graded races to his name; however, on closer inspection there is less substance to his form.
14:55 - WINTER ESCAPE (E/W)
15:30 - SO SCOTTISH (WIN)
12:25 - KOJIN (E/W)
12:58 - HENN SEE (WIN)
13:33 - THE GOFFER (E/W)
14:08 - SCHONE AUSSICHT (E/W)
14:40
A Grade 1 novice chase takes centre stage on the seven race card from Limerick this Boxing Day and the powerhouse owner of Michael O'Leary has three of his Gigginstown operation in this eight runner lineup. The trio all won last time out and all three have claimed previous success here at Limerick. I'd urge punters to disregard any at their peril however it's the current market principle Farouk D'alene that seems the one with the clearest chance. Trained by Gordon Elliott the six year old has a Grade 2 hurdles victory in the formbook and that was followed by a close win in a very competitive chase debut. There's no doubt this smaller field will be advantageous and considering he was coming off a near year absence he should strip much fitter for his most recent effort. This looks a tougher task in regards to level of opposition but Farouk D'alene has a very bright future and could be a potential future superstar and it'd be difficult to look elsewhere.
Current joint favourite Gabynako wasn't far away in second in the Grade 1 Drinmore Novice Chase at Fairyhouse last month and as such couldn't be discounted however despite numerous solid performances in some decent races over the past year he seems to lack the quality to capitalise at the top level.
The horse that finished fourth in the aformentioned Drinmore Lifetime Ambition lines up here again and if his last run can be forgiven should go very close at what could look a very generous price and to me looks the best of the rest after my selection.
15:15 - STORMY MASTER (E/W)
15:50 - CNOC NA SI (WIN)
11:55 - TRUSTY SCOUT (E/W)
12:30 - LYDFORD (WIN)
13:05
5 go in this Class 4 chase race at Market Rasen. At the time of writing current market favourite is Tokay Dokey who is a former course and distance winner around here. Who you could argue bumped into a very well handicapped horse last time out at Warwick. He is carrying top weight here around Market Rasen although it's not by much I just feel he could be vulnerable to another one of his rivals today.
First Angel shown some minor promise over hurdles and makes his chasing debut and would certainly be in the class as unexposed and may take to fences better rather than hurdles.
Fabrique En France was unlucky on his chase debut finishing 2nd last time out. The winner that day has reappeared again and came 2nd in a class 3 so that form does show a little substance.
Sambezi wouldn't be one to trust judging on his first two starts this season falling and finishing 9th in his last two starts.
My selection purely on the bigger price is Generous Day is the other horse in this race that is a course and distance winner around here and is one of the lower runners in terms of the weights when your taking jockey Alex Edwards 3-pound allowance into equation. Generous Day form this season isn't too much to talk about but you could argue has a lot in favour today along with being nicely handicapped in this race on Boxing Day
I just think Generous Day is the value of the race at 7/1 at the time of writing and I would imagine that price may shorten come race day
13:40 - SEVEN NO TRUMPS (WIN)
14:15 - SHARP RESPONSE (E/W)
14:50 - MIDNIGHT GINGER (E/W)
15:25 - SON OF THE SOMME (WIN)
11:45 - RICHMOND LAKE (WIN)
12:15
This race will certainly not make the headlines on a sparkling Boxing Day’s racing, but all races have to have a winner and they will be important to owners and punters alike. The likely market leader will be Shoeshine Boy who finished second last time out only going down by a neck in a similar race at Hexham. He is an unexposed 5yo and will no doubt pop up in a race of this type soon enough and has the right man onboard in Brian Hughes.
That being said I feel the best bet for the race is Cash Again each-way as he is a C&D winner off this mark last December. He has had two quiet runs this season without his regular cheekpieces but the aids are back on and they make all the difference to him.
12:50 - FIGHTFORTHEROSES (E/W)
13:25 - ADELPHI SPRITE (WIN)
14:00 - CREATIVE CONTROL (WIN)
14:35 - GENTLE JOLIE (WIN)
15:10 - SCALLYWAGS (WIN)
11:52 - MOROZOV COKTAIL (E/W)
12:27 - GALIA DES LITEAUX (WIN)
13:00 - DRUMCONNOR LAD (WIN)
13:35 - LOCK DOWN LUKE (E/W)
14:45 - FLY SMART (E/W)
15:20 - KIHAVAH (WIN)
12:18 - PETTICOAT LUCY (WIN)
12:53
Little River Bay is a likeable mare who won three from five over hurdles and is currently two from three over the larger obstacles. She failed to complete in a Listed contest last time out but has winning course form, acts on all ground and will be much more at home now returning to a Class 3 race.
Precious Eleanor has had to settle for the runner-up spot on all three chase runs to date, however she gets plenty of weight from the aforementioned Philip Hobbs runner and her stable are in fine form at the moment so she looks to be the main danger.
Belle De Manech won over hurdles at this meeting last year, her sole career victory to date, and she completes the shortlist on her chase debut.
13:28 - RHEBUS ROAD (WIN)
14:03 - FAVORI DE SIVOLA (WIN)
14:38 - FLEMCARA (WIN)
15:13 - THE UNIT (WIN)
15:45 - EMBERSCOMBE (E/W)
13:50 - TAJ ALOLA (WIN)
14:25 - DEBIT CARD (E/W)
15:00 - EXALTED ANGEL (E/W)
15:35 - SPYCATCHER (WIN)
16:10
French import Alexander James is a former listed winner as a three year old but hasn't been close to success at that level of late. A winner in a lower grade at Newcastle last time out was a promising success for Mick Appleby's charge but I'm happy to take on a horse who's not the most prolific (1 win in his last 15 starts) and needs to show much more that he's displayed lately now in Class 2 company.
The horse I'd much rather side with a horse who's a course and distance winner who is unbeaten here at Wolverhampton and is now his last and highest winning mark. The horse in question is Power Of States who also has the huge positive of having top jockey Hollie Doyle booked for the ride. The five year old wasn't all that far back in fourth last time out and should come on for that run after a 75 day break. Hugo Palmer's runner should relish a return to Wolverhampton and I'm hoping he can maintain his 100% course record.
Of the remainder fellow course and distance winner Dark Pine and the consistent Headingley shouldn't be far away.
16:45 - BROKEN RIFLE (E/W)
17:20 - RACE CARD (E/W)