The feature race on the card sees Footpad take on the unbeaten Death Duty in the Racing Post Novice Chase at Leopardstown on Boxing Day. Two novices that I am personally looking forward to seeing go head-to-head. There is another novice chaser in the shape of LANDOFHOPEANDGLORY running in his…
Author: Paul Davidson
0.75pts each-way Air Horse One @12/1, 0.75pts each-way Veinard @14/1, 15:35 Ascot, Saturday
An extremely classy renewal of the Racing Welfare Handicap Hurdle at Ascot on Saturday afternoon. The betting is led by progressive four-year-old Silver Streak, who couldn’t have looked any more impressive on his return in a handicap event in October. Evan Williams will expect further progressive now, but the softer…
1pt win Amour De Nuit @9/2, 13:40 Doncaster, Saturday
Flying Tiger drops in to more comfortable handicap territory having finished 4.5l behind Champion Hurdle winner Buveur D’air in the Grade 1 Fighting Fifth. That form read literally means he should be favourite for this. But it wasn’t the most truly run race up at Newcastle, and I don’t think…
0.75pts each-way Westerner Point @12/1, 13:30 Aintree, Saturday
The Becher Chase has a familiar looking feel to it with last year’s winner Vieux Lion Rouge re-opposing Highland Lodge (second), The Last Samuri (third) and Portrait King (sixth) all in attendance. David Pipe’s charge is 10lbs higher, and it was a bit of a lacklustre comeback run behind the…
0.75pts each-way Coneygree @16/1, 0.75pts each-way Missed Approach @22/1, 15:00 Newbury, Saturday
Formerly known as the Hennessy Gold Cup, this race has parted ways with a long time affiliate and takes on a new identity as the Ladbrokes Trophy Chase. The substance of the race remains unchanged, however, with the complex mixture of improving second season chasers taking on the higher-rated and…
0.75pts each-way Zelzal @12/1, 22:19 Del Mar, Saturday
Ribchester has the best form on paper going in to the Breeder’s Cup Turf Mile, with multiple Group 1 victories during what has been a fairly busy campaign. He is arguably, one of the best Richard Fahey has ever trained, and you can be sure he will run a highly…
1pt win Raheen House @7/1, 0.75pts each-way Architecture @12/1, 14:15 Newbury, Saturday
A really competitive looking Group 3 at Newbury on Saturday with Frontiersman heading the market at the puntable price of 4/1. He holds the best form on offer with his second to Highland Reel in the Coronation Cup, but he is yet to win at a higher grade than Listed…
1.5pts win Lord Glitters @4/1, 0.75pts each-way The Grape Escape @11/1, 16:30 Ascot
The Balmoral Handicap has a slightly unusual complexion to it this year with two stand-out horses at the head of the market in Zabeel Prince and LORD GLITTERS, who are both racing off the same modest mark of 102. Roger Varian’s charge looks a Group horse in the making, but…
0.75pts each-way Withhold @9/1, 0.75pts each-way Time To Study @14/1, 15:40 Newmarket
Thirty-four runners go to post in the Cesarewitch on Saturday with the jumps-trained John Constable the current 8/1 favourite. He is rated over 60lbs lower than his national hunt mark so he could be treated very nicely by the handicapper. With such great value on offer and eight places with…