1.05 Wincanton
Dusky Lark is the pick over at Wincanton in this 4 runner race. He finished second at Kempton and had been off the track for 200 days which was no mean feat. He looked a bit ring rusty and didn’t jump as well as he can but that is surely to be expected given that absence, after all there is only so well you can test them at home. I certainly think he is on a winning mark and he showed the benefit of that run when running close behind a very impressive winner in Poker School Ascot in early December. Will love some good winter ground according to the trainer and can finally get his head in front here.
1.30 Kempton
Sizing Tennessee has run a couple of excellent races for Colin Tizzard in Novice company and come up against some top horses in O O Seven and Whisper. Off a mark of 139 he is pretty interesting now sent handicapping in a field where there are no stand out horses IMO. Interestingly, Aidan Coleman reported that Sizing Tennessee jumped out the the right somewhat last time out so Kempton should help him post an improved performance in that regard. However, if Dusky Lark bolts up in the 1.05 at Wincanton then Poker School will have to be given maximum respect here so perhaps wait and see that the Lark does first!
1.55 Down Royal
We head over to Ireland for the 2nd bet and it is The Storyteller in this maiden hurdle. The form of his last run, a 2nd place to Monalee, is working out well with that horse going on to split Death Duty and Invitation Only in a hurdle at Navan last weekend, some very good form. That was only his 2nd run over hurdles, he was an unlucky faller in his first race when going very well, but the run last time out showed that has left no damage fortunately. I fancy The Storyteller to make it 3rd time lucky here.
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| Will this man be celebrating just after 2pm? |
2.05 Kempton
I reckon Amore Alato could be worth a right bet in the Novice Chase at Kempton (12/1 atm). He got off the mark first time out this season when making most of the running to land a Listed intermediate chase at Sandown seven weeks ago, and he usually comes on for the run looking at his form so should improve for that run. I also think this 3 mile trip should help, the trainer has said going 3 miles has been the long term plan but they wanted to give him a bit more experience first. While he hasn't got the flashiest or most progressive profile in the race I think he has a definite e/w chance because the trainer has said this will be his gold cup whereas some of the other types like Aniable Fly (the favourite) will have bigger days in mind and I wonder if this race will come too soon for Frodon after his big handicap win in tough conditions last time out. Amore Alato has the Champion jockey on board and I think he could prove hard to catch if he can get the early lead he loves.
2.40 Kempton
This is a pretty tricky race now my main fancy, Vroom Vroom Mag is out! I've had a bet on Yanworth for the Champion Hurdle but that's at Cheltenham where the testing track will bring his stamina more into play than the flat 2 mile test at Kempton. I wonder if he will get slightly done for speed here and at the prices I will definitely be avoiding him. Gray Wolf River's connections deserve praise for spotting this opportunity but she has no chance, Ch'tibello has 22 lbs to find on ratings at least with The New One, 10lbs with My Tent or Yours and 12 with Yanworth so also looks to have been set a stiff task. Which brings it down the TNO or MTOY's for a bet in this race, and I think I'd have to side with the Tent to finally get a win on the boards at 4/1 compared to TNO at 15/8. However, with the feast of racing on offer on Monday I doubt I will bother betting in a race as trappy as this.
3.15 Kempton
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| I certainly think the winner of the King George will be trained by this man, but which horse will it be? |
What a King George - well in terms of a huge head to head clash that is. With only 5 runners there is not a huge quantity in the race but with Cue Card and Thistlecrack lining up to do battle this could be a race for the ages. In fact I am going to ignore Josses Hill, Conti and Tea for Two, all good horses but horses I do not expect to be winning a King George. We have to focus on the big 2; the proven form of Cue Card, Betfair Chase winner and reigning King George Champion coming up against the potential of Thistlecrack, winner of the World Hurdle last year and in possession of what I think could be the biggest engine in horse racing. And I'm siding with the potential that Thistlecrack brings to the table. I seriously think if he can jump well he could be one of the best horses we have ever seen , not just this season. The way he won the World Hurdle last year, jumping the last and still pulling for his head, just shows you the power under his bonnet and whist his jumping is still a work in progress, it is progressing. His performance last time out was much better than that we saw at Cheltenham the time before and if Tizzard can get him to progress again this could be a special performance. Cue Card will jump well and will serve up a huge challenge to his stablemate but I think in this small field, where his jumping should be under less pressure than a big field race, Thistlecrack can show us just what is under the bonnet and take King George glory.
Boxing Day Bets
1.05 Wincanton Dusky Lark
1.30 Kempton Sizing Tennessee
1.55 Down Royal The Storyteller
2.05 Kempton Amore Alato
3.15 Kempton Thistlecrack
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