Good morning all, I hope you had a very Merry Christmas and the leftover are aplenty for the traditional bumper day of sport that Boxing Day brings.
We will be focussing today on the racing at Kempton and Wetherby.
Good luck with your bets with the blog in profit since the season began in October.
Kempton
12:45 – Novices Hurdle
The race has fallen apart with the withdrawal of Paso Doble, leaving it to Broomfield Burg, BLACK POPPY is a selection at 7/1 as on the figures no-one else should come close and the booking of Brendan Powell should help and his Sire has a 20% strike-rate at course and distance.
Black Poppy 7/1 1.5pt ew
13:20 – Handicap Chase
BOTHWELL BRIDGE should kick off a promising afternoon for Seven Barrows, Danny Kirwan has been a nearly horse for what feels like a couple of seasons now and as a match between the pair at the top of the market, preference is for Henderson over the Nicholls trained mount.
Bothwell Bridge 3/1 double with Bravemansgame in 13:55
13:55 – Kauto Star Novices Chase
In one of the most anticipated races of the winter, Bravemansgame and Ahoy Senor face off once again, a rematch of sorts from their prior meeting in April at Aintree, where the latter over hurdles was the victor. BRAVEMANSGAME however is favoured this time, over larger obstacles and having beaten more proven opponents, however on ratings there is truly nothing to split them, enjoy.
Bravemansgame 10/11 – see multiples.
14:30 – Christmas Hurdle
The rematch between Epatante and Not So Sleepy should go the way of the mare, who has ran consistently up to her level behind the mighty Honeysuckle and more recently in a cracking tussle with Not So Sleepy at Newcastle.
If Henderson has her right today and there is nothing to suggest she isn’t, as Nicky is notoriously careful with his stable, she should be too much today for these. However at odds of Evens, she is not one for a single bet, rather the multiples.
Alan King might just have cracked it with Tritonic and with age on his side (4) he may just be good enough to strike again, after success at Ascot last week.
Trtionic 10/3 2.5pt ew
15:05 – KING GEORGE VI CHASE
Deja-vu time, FRODON, surely cannot do it again, however, the run at Down Royal on true soft was at impressive fractions and if Bryony (as we know she can) can time it right today, I would be surprised if he was not in the frame. Chantry House is a favourite of the blog, an ante-post selection for the Gold Cup at the Festival (at 20s) however today is a watching brief in that respect, but a big run would confirm expectations for the big one (and money has come today).
Minella Indo was beaten by Frodon in the aforementioned race at Down Royal and I just wonder whether the Gold Cup as it does has left its mark. I am not keen on Asterion Forlonge for the Mullins stable and if anyone comes off the pace it is going to be Clan Des Obeaux.
I almost cannot believe the selection is Frodon, but he is, at the prices, he has to be.
Frodon 7/1 3pt each way.
15:40 – Handicap Hurdle
ECCO looks well placed by Nicholls in this at the weights as does Hydroplane at big odds, they will be our selections in the final race.
ECCO 15/2 2.5pt ew
Hyrdoplane 28/1 0.75pt ew
Multiples
Bothwell Bridge, Bravemansgame, Epatane 14/1 2.5pt ew
Bothwell Bridge, Bravemansgame 7/1 3pt ew
Frodon, Ecco 68/1 1pt ew
Wetherby
14:10 – Lord Du Mensil is hugely overpriced and is a small play in a race where lots have question marks.
Lord Du Mensil 22/1 1pt ew
Horse Racing Selections 