NEWBURY
Race 4 No12 BLENKINSOP (Each Way)
Trainer: Henry Daly – Jockey: Tom O’Brien
No trainer is operating with a better strike rate than Daly, which lends itself to the chances of BLENKINSOP as he takes a step up the class ladder. The five-year-old keeps defying the handicapper and seeks a fourth straight success under a new pilot, but having been well on top at the end of each of those starts he can now find the further progression necessary to thwart Lady Adare and Martello Sky.
Race 5 No15 FOXBORO (Each Way)
Trainer: Robert Walford – Jockey: Mr Gearoid Harney
The historic Mandarin Handicap Chase should make enjoyable viewing, and especially if lightly-weighted FOXBORO consents to put his best foot forward. The seven-year-old gets weight from each of his 14 rivals as well as 7lb extra from the claim of his amateur rider. Coming here on the back of a clear cut Fontwell success, he can make this a third win from his last four outings and confirm his improvement. This is a good race for exotic wagering, and others to include in all perms are Killer Kane, Shanty Alley and Undersupervision.
Prediction: 1st FOXBORO, 2nd Undersupervision, 3rd Shanty Alley, 4th Killer Kane
Race 6 CORAL CHALLOW NOVICES’ HURDLE (Grade 1)
No6 JOYEUX MACHIN (Each Way)
Trainer: Paul Nolan – Jockey: S O’Keeffe
I can’t remember such an open-looking Challow and it’s hard to run your pen through many of the names in the 14-runner field. Dominating the betting with Hollywoodbets is HERMES ALLEN, impressive in each of his outings under Rules and bringing to post a big home reputation. However, it’s interesting that plenty are willing to have a crack at the hot favourite. Locally-trained ATTACCA is a pea out of the same pod as his rival and well regarded at Seven Barrows; CRAMBO has scope for improvement and IDALKO BIHOUE could prove a tasty outsider. JOYEUX MACHIN could however be the one to really test all comers, and this rare runner at the track for Paul Nolan is dangerous to rule out after a convincing first win over jumps at Fairyhouse. The Saddle Maker gelding wouldn’t be crossing the Irish Sea unless his trainer thought he could make a big impression.
Prediction: 1st JOYEUX MACHIN, 2nd Hermes Allen, 3rd Idalko Bihoue, 4th Attacca
Race 7 No4 UNANSWERED PRAYERS (Nap)
Trainer: Chris Gordon – Jockey: Tom Cannon
UNANSWERED PRAYERS gamely delivered at the first time of asking over fences at Cheltenham last month and could be a horse worth following into the New Year. Having jumped well and shown a willing attitude, he can take the spoils at the main expense of multiple scorer Tea For Free.
UTTOXETER
Race 1 No4 GALUDON (Each Way)
Trainer: Harry Whittington – Jockey: Daryl Jacob
Support for GALUDON never looked like reaping dividends at Chepstow where the gelding appeared to run green when asked to take closer order and was ultimately well beaten. He’d shown plenty at home before that second outing over hurdles and he could bounce back in an open contest in which Solar Sovereign and Rockinastorm also need respecting.
Race 3 No2 HARRY’S HOTTIE (Each Way)
Trainer: Harry Whittington – Jockey: Daryl Jacob
From the same stable HARRY’S HOTTIE holds obvious win and place chances following a first success under Rules at Plumpton and a very good effort when third to Shutupshirley at Wincanton. With a top pilot in the saddle the Cloudings mare can again be competitive.
Race 5 No9 ROGUE QUEEN (Each Way)
Trainer: Harry Whittington – Jockey: Jonathan Burke
Several in this bumper have already troubled the judge, including ROGUE QUEEN, who stayed on well to finish second on her first run at Warwick. The daughter of Malinas has the wherewithal to build on that in another very open contest.
Race 7 No6 ART DECCO (Each Way)
Trainer: Robert Walford – Jockey: Daryl Jacob
ART DECCO has few miles on his racing clock in this three-mile handicap chase and could go forward sufficiently from his good effort against Quick Draw here earlier in the month to open his account. It represented a big step up on anything he’d shown previously, while his trainer does well with this type of individual.
WARWICK
Race 1 No1 DUKE OF MORAVIA
Trainer: Henry Daly – Jockey: Richard Patrick
The Daly stable has a number of good chances here, starting with DUKE OF MORAVIA. The grey has shown ability to earn in each of his three outings under Rules, and though this switch to handicapping is no gift, the top weight should be too strong for his foes and open his account.
Race 2 No4 VICTORIAS PEAK
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Finn Lambert
Respect is afforded to Presenting Queen, but one that really takes the eye is VICTORIAS PEAK for a stable just starting to find its feet. The daughter of Fame And Glory has won and finished third on her two starts over hurdles for her new trainer, with her defeat by Coquelicot at Ascot looking especially strong form to bring to the table.
Race 3 No6 EROS (Each Way)
Trainer: Kayley Woollacott – Jockey: Ben Godfrey
EROS is amongst several in this handicap chase that have knocked on the door. The eight-year-old jumps well, and should find the set of fences that come quickly down the back stretch playing to his strengths. He doesn’t do anything in a hurry, but in the testing conditions can outstay his opponents.
Race 4 No13 ONE FER MAMMA (Each Way)
Trainer: Matt Sheppard – Jockey: Ned Fox
In another very competitive race, ONE FER MAMMA has to be of interest from the bottom of the weights. The Dylan Thomas gelding has been a captain of consistency for his connections over the past two seasons, and after a readying first run back at Haydock, in which he took home a decent cheque, he can mix it with shorter-priced foes such as hat-trick seeking Langley Hundred.
Race 6 No7 LOUNGE LIZARD (Nap)
Trainer: Henry Daly – Jockey: Richard Patrick
If LOUNGE LIZARD is on his A-game he could be the bet of the day, and it’s worth drawing a line through his lack lustre first run over fences at Bangor. The cash for him that went west that day should now be recouped, though it will be reassuring to see him get into a nice rhythm over the early fences.
Race 7 No1 BOWENSPARK
Trainer: Henry Daly – Jockey: Richard Patrick
Another lively arrow from the Daly operation is BOWENSPARK, who created a favourable impression on his debut under Rules with a stylish delivery at Uttoxeter. In the colours of the late Trevor Hemmings this chasing type can remain unbeaten under his penalty.
LINGFIELD PARK
Race 4 No7 RUSKIN RED (Each Way)
Trainer: Denis Coakley – Jockey: Tom Marquand
RUSKIN RED attracted market support when second in a big field over this course and distance in late November and should make a bold bid to go one better for his shrewd handler.
Race 7 No8 HIT MAC (Nap)
Trainer: George Boughey – Jockey: William Buick
HIY MAC looks a worthy favourite to end a frustrating run of near misses under double centurion Buick. He needs to overcome a difficult draw on the outer, but if doing so can swoop to conquer under the champ.
