We’ve been treated to some phenomenal racing in December, but no race has been more discussed than the King George. I have to say, though, the strength of the race was questionable.
L’Homme Presse was the one I fancied and would be the one to take out of the race for me. We saw a great performance from Bravemansgame, but I don’t know if he’ll do the same in the Gold Cup come March.
L’Homme Presse was beaten when he unseated Charlie Deutsch, but going left-handed with more of a stamina test at Cheltenham could see him turn the tables, and looks a fair each-way play in the current betting.
Conflated, similarly to Bravemansgame, performed brilliantly in the Savills Chase but, again, I think that was his Gold Cup and I wouldn’t be confident of him reproducing that at Cheltenham.
It’d be a step up for him in terms of test strength. Three miles two around Cheltenham is a very different game to three miles one around Leopardstown.
There’s not much more we can say about Constitution Hill – again, he was brilliant in the Christmas Hurdle. I thought it would be impossible for him to impress us more, but he went and did so anyway.
Kempton is a sharp, fast track and you don’t normally get a horse winning a Grade 1, especially a two mile hurdle, around there by as many lengths as he put in.
A 17 length win in a Grade 1 is almost unheard of. Him, and only him, might get me out of retirement (joking), but in all seriousness, Nico [De Boinville] is doing a great job with him.
Paisley Park is absolutely flying at the moment and he was brilliant in his win at Kempton, where I thought he might struggle. The Stayers’ looks wide-open, and he’s an interesting player at a double-figure price, despite his advancing years.
I think that the strength of the Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown was questionable.
Home By The Lee, of course, did run a good race to get the win, but Flooring Porter, who was beaten three and a half lengths, just wasn’t running with the same enthusiasm he had last season. He didn’t turn up at all.
Meet And Greet, who was third in the race, throws a question mark over the strength of the form for me, he was 50/1 and this was a big step up on anything he has done to date..
State Man’s performance was very good, but I don’t think it was enough to give Nicky Henderson anything to worry about.
State Man’s run might be a concern for Henry de Bromhead and Honeysuckle, though with the Dublin Racing Festival their likely next stop.
Another from Leopardstown I’d watch in the future is Dysart Dynamo. He jumped beautifully and is definitely a contender in the Arkle.
Allegorie De Vassy, who ran on Wednesday at Limerick, also must be taken seriously for the Mares’ Chase. She was just brilliant, and she’ll learn from her race and improve.
Newbury on New Year’s Eve
I won the Challow Hurdle with Champ four years ago. It’s a tough race and takes a lot out of them. I think Hermes Allen is priced too short for it given the depth of the race.
I think the favourite is very much opposable and Attaca, who did it nicely at Cheltenham, would be the one for me, but you can make cases for any amount of the rest of them at good prices.
Jet Powered, who runs in the second race, was very impressive when he won last time out at Newbury. He’d be on my card, as would bumper-winner Inneston of Gary Moore’s, who could be a sneaky one.
His form from France ties in very well with a subsequent Grade 1 winner over there called Il Est Francais, and he could be the surprise package.
Pikar is the favourite for the Handicap Hurdle, and he’ll surely go well, as should Silent Revolution of Paul Nicholls’ in the same race.
The money has come for Pikar, and even though I think he’ll take all the beating, he’s not much of a price, so Silent Revolution could provide a bit of value.
For the Handicap Chase, I like the look of both Laskalin, who won last month at Ludlow for Venetia Williams, and Tallow For Coal who won at Lingfield last time by seven and a half lengths for Jamie Snowden.
Undersupervision is also a good horse, and he could run well at a decent price if getting his jumping together.
Cheltenham on New Year’s Day
The Relkeel Hurdle is wide open – there’s no stand out runner, but there are lots of very good horses in it and it’s very competitive.
Knappers Hill has been excellent this season, First Street won his reappearance at Newbury last month, I Like To Move It rarely disappoints, and Marie’s Rock has serious form too.
There’s very little between the top runners, so you’d have to look for the best price and hope for some luck. As things stand in the betting, Knappers Hill looks the value.
For the Dipper Novices’ Chase, I’m not totally convinced by Monmiral. He hasn’t quite delivered all of his promises. Thunder Rock, though, looks to be on the up and could tempt me because he is so progressive.
Lastly, the New Year’s Day Handicap Chase could offer a bit of value in Brave Seasca. Venetia Williams’ horses are in great form at the moment and he won well at Aintree earlier in December.
