The Christmas / New Year period sees some top class NH racing on both sides of the Irish Sea, here just some of the highlights coming up: Kempton 26th & 27th Dec - Kauto Star Novices Chase (Grade 1), Christmas Hurdle (Grade 1), King George VI Steeple Chase (Grade 1), Wayward Lad Novices Chase (Grade 2), Desert Orchid Chase (Grade 2), Chepstow Welsh National Day 27th Dec - Welsh Grand National (Grade 3), Finale Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 1) Newbury 31st Dec - Challow Hurdle (Grade 1) Leopardstown Christmas Festival 26th - 29th Dec - Racing Post Novice Chase (Grade 1), Paddy Power Cashcard Chase (Grade 1), Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle (Grade 1), Squared Financial Christmas Hurdle (Grade 1), Ryanair Hurdle (Grade 1), Lexus Chase (Grade 1), Neville Hotels Novice Chase (Grade 1), Ryanair Hurdle (Grade 1), Knight Frank Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 2) Cheltenham New Year's Day - Dipper Novices Chase (Grade 2), Relkeel Hurdle (Grade 2) Plus any number of top handicaps including the Rowland Meyrick Chase at Wetherby on Boxing Day. I always love Kempton on Boxing Day, memories of years past with Desert Orchid and Kauto Star, it is always a really top class card and could be another emotional day if Cue Card can defend his King George crown. In the Christmas Hurdle we will hopefully see one of Rich Ricci's superstars running and hopefully logic will dictate that Thistlecrack goes for the novice chase. I think all in all though, the race I am most looking forward to is the Lexus at Leopardstown, I have loved this race down the years and it is always top, top class. The renewal won by Tidal Bay the other year was one of the greatest races ever seen. Which race are you most looking forward to over the festive period and why?
Annie Power vs Lead Horse Douvan vs Simply Ned Faugheen vs Nicholls Canyon Cue Card vs The Fences Thistlecrack vs The Fences Altior vs The Fences The Fences owner should be ashamed, 3 runs in the space of a week.
The race to find a way of reading the ****ing .fbw files on my backup file, so I can get back to normal. I haven't had time to even look at the races but I see from Joe's post that Annie is running so it will be (hopefully) seeing her win I will actually be looking forward to seeing all the best horses running
shell be running all right but you will need to be a member of staff at Closutton if you want to see it
With news coming through that Thistlecrack is an intended runner in the King George, this has become the race of the festive period for me. Could be Kauto v Denman all over again
Thistlecrack isn't a champion yet. But in terms of anticipation and excitement it is very interesting
Thistlecrack will win by half the track. Seriously I think he'll beat Cue Card and the rest by 5 lengths at least.
Worried ante-post punter; have backed both for the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Suppose a two length win by Cue Card (12/1 for CGC) over Thistlecrack (8/1 for CGC) with the others in arrears would suit me just fine!
Really do wish the Tizzards and the connections all the very best for being open about their plans and doing things in the name of competition. I just hope that they are rewarded for it and both come back safe and sound. Note to a certain trainer in Ireland- this is a sport and you don't need an egg in every basket! Let the best 'uns race!
I know everyone loves to have a pop at the way old boy Willie campaigns his but I think we should remember those 'issues' largely revolve around horses in the same ownership so this is a tad different in fairness but definitely great to see! What does deserve credit is old boy Tizzard is taking a risk in running a novice in a top class open race, which Mullins certainly wouldn't do. Now this really is a risk in many ways, I remember my namesake took in a Gold Cup as a novice which could have had catastrophic consequences, as it did for those old enough to remember Gloria Victis. Heaven forbid something happen Thistlecrack, if it does there'll be plenty with the knives sharpened for the 'risk' we're all now lauding. I think it's great for the sport, I think Tizzard's a great man for letting it happen and it's certainly saved what was looking the most boring King George I can remember. Bring it on!!!
I am ticking one off of my bucket list on Boxing Day. I will be going to the New Forest point-to-point which I heard about several years ago. It is the only authentic point to point left in the country with the racing from one location to the other with no pre-planned routes. The jockeys are given the start and finish point and they get to choose their own course in-between. It's run over the open New Forest, with the general area of the finishing point publicised a fortnight before the race, and the starting point kept secret until the day of the race itself. The race is for purebred New Forest ponies only. Not sure what to expect, but i imagine it to be very oldy worldy !!
Against Cue Card? That would be a surprise, given Thistlecrack is still a novice chaser, and the other a proven jumper of the highest class. Kempton, a 'park course', is flat but still a very real test for chasers, especially in races such as the King George. Fences are taken at a fair old speed, and on this point I think it might find Thistlecrack out. Of course he'll stay, and could go round again even, but if he wins this he's really something else. Colin Tizzard is to be applauded for making this otherwise dull event this year something to really look forward to. Good luck to you if you are backing Thistlecrack.
I'm heading to kempton on Boxing Day and expecting a Cue Card win, it's going to be bloody close though.
