Mala Beach rates a worthy favourite for the Bobbyjo Chase with his second place in the Thyestes at Gowran Park behind My Murphy. That gives him strong claims, if in the same mood and appears to be some of the best recent form on offer, with plenty of holes in…
Author: Paul Davidson
1pt win Sternrubin @9/1, 0.5pt EW Agrapart @20/1, 0.5pt EW Matorico @33/1, 15:35 Newbury
Previous winners of Europe’s richest handicap hurdle race have included My Tent Or Yours, Zarkandar, and Get Me Out Of Here – two of which were owned by JP McManus. He enters no fewer than five runners including the 7/2 favourite, and Geraghty’s pick of the crop, Blazer. Mullin’s French…
0.5pt EW Warriors Tale @12/1, 16:30 Musselbrough
Cup Final returns from over 400 days off the track to tackle the longest trip of his career over 3m2f. He may very well be able to tackle an extra half a mile in comparison to his latest win for Nicky Henderson. That was his first victory in six starts…
1pt Win Cogry @3/1, 15:15 Ffos Llas
Rebecca Curtis arrives mob-handed as she attempts to win back-to-back West Wales Nationals at Ffos Llas, where she has four out of the seven runners represented. Bob Ford returns on a 13lb higher mark than when he was successful here last year, and has to give weight all-round. He did…
1pt win Frodon @7/1, 16:10 Cheltenham
The finale on Cheltenham Trials day may not be the highlight on the card, but by no means does it look any less competitive. It represents an intriguing little contest with several unexposed entrants sent handicap hurdling for the first time. Solstice Star goes in search of a five-timer with…
1pt each-way Minella Reception @14/1, Ascot 15:35
Minella Reception looked to be ahead of his mark on his seasonal reappearance at Haydock when falling three out. He had been jumping very smoothly for Nigel Twiston-Davies and Ryan Hatch, and look destined to be in the mix at the finishing line when going the best before he came…
1pt win Fine Rightly @5/1, 1pt EW Los Amigos @12/1, 15:00 Leopardstown
Blood Cotil returns from a 261 day break in an attempt to win a race previously conquered by the likes of Foxrock and He’llberemembered. Mullins’s charge finished off last season strongly and there could be much more to come this season having largely disappointed as a novice. Top-weight and a…
1pt win De Kerry Man @8/1, 1pt win Midnight Prayer @9/1, 15:35 Warwick
The Classic Chase at Warwick looks a wide-open contest with several horses racing under a penalty for their last outing. Sego Success has a 7lb rise in the weights to contend with but looked in great nick when winning on his chase reappearance at Doncaster over 3m. Alan King thinks…
1pt win Cogry @9/1, 1pt win Tour Des Champs @16/1, Coral Welsh Grand National, 13:45 Chepstow
As is the norm for this time of year, the Welsh Grand National will be run in bottomless conditions and represents a great punting opportunity. In recent years it has paid dividends to side with a horse that loves cut in the ground, races off less than 11st and is…
1.5pt win double Coney Island, Douvan @ 3.7/1, Leopardstown
The opening day of the Leopardstown Christmas festival is generally overshadowed by the events at Kempton Park, and is a warm-up for races such as the Lexus Chase to follow. To be brutally honest, the bookies aren’t giving much away with several short-priced favourites dominating the betting in a number…