With the massive amount of racing on both sides of the Irish Sea- what's your best bets for the holiday period- NAP, NB and Treble NAP- VROOM VROOM MAG- Xmas Hurdler at Kempton. He super sub comes in again Will be fitter for her reappearance, question marks over her ride lto will try and dictate the pace from the front like she did at punchestown last year and will be hard to get past NB- THE CRAFTY BUTCHER- Paddy Power Chase - Tough one between him and Bonny Kate- who always runs well and can't see her not being placed but whether she is good enough to win is another thing. Had a good come back run on his first one Willie over hurdles this imo would have been his aim for some time, from the look of his run lto- bits of money have come in for him TREBLE- SPECIAL TIARA- Desert Orchid chase Not 100% confirmed runner but missed the tingle creek so will be fresh as a daisy - the others will have had hard races and missing that race could be the making of him, only horse I would worry about if he turns up is Ar Mad.
I quite like The New One's chances in the Christmas Hurdle - at 10/3 he offers a bit of value. I don't think we will be good-soft at off time, rain is forecast. I'm not at all sure that VVM is a true Grade 1 animal. King George is head v heart - head says Cue Card should piss it and 11/8 is monster, heart says Thistlecrack all day long. Bet of the week would be Native River in the Welsh National - he is a class above these. Woolly mate I've read they want to go up in trip with Ar Mad and are looking at the 2m 5f chase at Ascot in Feb as his next target - doubt very much that we'll see him at Kempton. NAP - Native River Welsh National NB - The New One Treble - Thistlecrack (heart winning atm)
Nichols Canyon will win the Ryanair Hurdle. But the price has gone to crap. I would expect Jetzi to be fit enough to do himself justice in the Christmas hurdle. I reckon JP to have a few on nice marks for the Paddy Power. Figuring out which one though may have to wait until the jockey bookings are finalized. I'm interested to see if Empire Of Dirt runs in the Lexus. He has made light work of winning some very hot handicaps. He is on a mark of 159 so they decide to chance him in open company. If he runs I'd give him a decent chance.
Half the food purchased by the Mrs will end up in the bin as it impossible to eat that much in just a few days 1/10. My mum will be pissing me off by Boxing Day 4/6 One of the littl'uns new toys will be broken by lunchtime on Xmas day 1/3 A treble on those won't make you wealthy but it's money in the bank.
That's good to know cheers mate when will the confirmed entries go up. The record of Hennessy runners in the Welsh national is not good! He looked to have quite a hard race and off top weight- even tho he is the best horse could find life difficult giving weight to some very well handicapped fresh horses
The jockey bookings may not make it any more simple a couple of well handicapped JP horses down the bottom some of which I doubt Barry will be able to make the weight - People's Park being one
Yeah that's fair but it will narrow it down to two. If any of them have a chance there will be money for them.
I'd be unsure what runs until decs but I'd make DJAKADAM my confident nap in the Lexus if he runs. Loved his seasonal debut, and he's obviously one of the top stayers around. Anything around 2/1 he looks a pretty good 'banker'! Crack Mome, again if he runs in the 2m Grade One novice hurdle would be a confident selection. And dependent on how much rain Leopardstown gets The Dediguot could be very good value, was 33/1 when I last looked, will outrun his odds. Jetzki being off so long, wouldn't want a real slog, for all he'll prove the best later on in the season.
Regarding Vroum Vroum Mag I think we'll get a decent clue as to how much she's fancied whether Rupert heads over for the one ride or stays here for a very strong book of rides including Min. Personally think he'll stay at Leopardstown, if not, she'd look a pretty dam good bet against a field of horses just below Grade 1 class or possibly in need of further (Yanworth). She stays 3m herself well, so there'd be a question mark over the trip for her too, but unlike Yanworth, she has a Grade 1 to her name over 2m. In fact Yanworth hasn't won a Grade 1 yet at any trip.
Native River's participation is ground dependent. They are looking after him and didn't fancy risking him on unsuitable ground. Unfortunately I didn't catch the preferred going. But just to warn that it's best to wait to see if he runs
I'd be very surprised if he went to Kempton for the ride on VVM - at Leopardstown he's got Min, Bapaume (big chance of upsetting Landofhopeandglory IMHO) and probably one of Willie's in both the maiden hurdles. Tony Martin might have something for him too
I'm going to give old Venetian Lad a punt at his favourite hunting ground - font well park -- comes alive here and in a small field on soft ground could show his rivals how it's done !
Now he looks more than likely to run I am gonna replace one Mullins horse for another- DJAKADAM my new best bet of the week! How he is not fav I can't believe it 9/4 is a big price