Although the King George is making most of the headlines at the moment, there are other graded races on Boxing Day / St Stephens Day which really whet the appetite: The Feltham Novices Chase (Grade 1, Kempton 2.00) Currently 10 declared as follows: Bobs Worth Champion Court Graduation Night Grands Crus Mr Moonshine Saint Are Silviniaco Conti Tea For Three Emmas Legend On first viewing this looks a match between Bobs Worth and Grands Crus, although Silviniaco Conti got back to winning ways emphatically last time out and Mr Moonshine ran gallantly against the older horses last time out. The Christmas Hurdle (Grade 1, Kempton 2.35) 7 declared: Binocular Clerk's Choice Drill Sergeant Olofi Overturn Rock On Ruby Sanctuaire The race will tell us whether Rock On Ruby is a genuine Champion Hurdle contender - you would think he has to win this to remain on target for the big one. Binocular looked fighting fit before the Fighting Fifth but found Overturn too good. He may well reverse the form here as Don McCain's gelding looked potentially over the top behind Grandouet and has had a lot of racing in 2011. The others don't look good enough. Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase (Grade 3, Wetherby 13.45) Wetherby host this competitive handicap which was regularly used as a springboard to Grand National success, particularly in the 1980s. 21 still entered at this stage (http://horses.sportinglife.com/Racecards/0,12495,476666,00.html) with the weights headed by Midnight Chase off 161. Fifth in the Gold Cup in March, he kicked off his season at Down Royal in the JN Wine Chase but was well held when falling 2 out. If he is nontheworse for that fall he could run a big race at this level. Other potential runners include Master Of The Hall, Wayward Prince, Sarando and Knockara Beau but this one looks wide open and best to wait for the final declarations. UAE Embassy Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 2, Leopardstown 13.20) 11 currently entered here: Countrywide Flame One Cool Shabra Sam Bass Blue Cannon Burrenbridge Lodge Canna Celebrity Sevi Cool Kid El Torreros His Excellency Sarabad Pur Style Plenty of interesting runners here and yet another French recruit from the all-conquering Mullins yard in the shape of Sarabad, twice second in France and from the same sire as Gaspara. John Quinn sends over Countrywide Flame who has impressed in winning 3 out of 4 and was only beaten by Alan King's Secret Edge which gives us a form line to Hinterland. Sam Bass won the Grade 3 Bar One Racing Juvenile Hurdle at Fairyhouse, reversing earlier form with the placed horses in impressive fashion. Racing Post Novice Chase (Grade 1, 14.20 Leopardstown) 13 declared in a high class renewal: Baily Green Blackstairmountain Bog Warrior Call The Police Donnas Palm Foildubh Gift Of Dgab Lambro Lucky William Notus De La Tour Ordinary Man Perfect Smile Sir Des Champs A potentially stellar line-up with 2 ultra-exciting Gigginstown runners in Bog Warrior and Sir Des Champs, plus a chance to tie into the English novice form via Notus De La Tour (Walkon, Zaynar) and Gift Of Dgab (Invictus). But Call The Police, Donnas Palm, Blackstairmountain and Perfect Smile are no slouches and this promises to be an informative and memorable contest. Greenmount Park Novice Chase (Grade 2, Limerick 14.10) Currently 19 entered, including several who are also entered above mentioned Racing Post Novice Chase. No fewer than 7 Gigginstown entries, Allee Garde and Bishopsfurze for Willie Mullins and Charles Byrnes Knockfierna are other intesting possibles. All comments and views on these star-studded races are welcome
Oddy, I’ve said elsewhere on the old forum that I really think Mr Henderson could go through the card at Kempton on St Stephen’s Day. Although that prediction could be a tad optimistic I still think he will have a brilliant day there in 5 days time. In the Grade 1 contests I think it will be foolish to look beyond Long Run, Bobs Worth and dear old Binocular. The Juvenile heat at Leopardstown is one of interest and looks, at first glance, to be a classy affair which I can see having some bearing on the Grade 1 events later in the term at Cheltenham, Aintree and Punchestown. Maybe, Sarabad could be the answer. Meanwhile, Sir Des Champs looked very good earlier in the month, on his fencing bow, but now faces the ‘top table’ for the first time. I think he can handle the rise in class and give old boy Mullins a good ‘day at the office’.
Thanks for putting this up I'm really looking forward to seeing Grands Crus again, slightly underwhelmed by the opposition but that's probably only because I think he'll walk it. I actually was a tad disappointed it's all been RSA talk for him, I'd have thought with his fast fluent jumping he'd have been an Arkle contender. He doesn't lack for speed and with his 'tanking' along style of running it would have been easy to see that race fall into his lap up the hill. Especially considering how hard a race the RSA is on horses in the long-term.
Have to agree on Grands Crus and the RSA Beefy - if you look at the last 10 RSA winners, it seems it takes a very, very good horse to win it and then go on to achieve real success. A lot of RSA winners have not done alot thereafter: 2002 Hussard Collonges 7 Russ Garritty Peter Beaumont 2003 One Knight 7 Richard Johnson Philip Hobbs 2004 Rule Supreme 8 David Casey Willie Mullins 2005 Trabolgan 7 Mick Fitzgerald Nicky Henderson 2006 Star de Mohaison 5 Barry Geraghty Paul Nicholls 2007 Denman 7 Ruby Walsh Paul Nicholls 2008 Albertas Run 7 Tony McCoy Jonjo O'Neill 2009 Cooldine 7 Ruby Walsh Willie Mullins 2010 Weapon's Amnesty 7 Davy Russell Charles Byrnes 2011 Bostons Angel 7 Robbie Power Jessica Harrington
Completely Oddy. It's a race to finish a horse off with a (very few) few notable exceptions... I missed his last chase (GC) but was really taken by him in his first, and I think it was 2m5 or so but he had the race put to bed half a mile from home so I was really miffed that the Arkle hasn't even been mentioned. Mind you the Arkle looks a right humdinger so perhaps their simply eyeing the supposed easier race? By the way I'd expect Bog Warrier to eat those novices for his lunch if he does what he did the last day.. Another Arkle candidate actually God the Tuesday at Cheltenham really does set the bar ridiculously high, and the remaining three days never quite scale that same height after it...
Who will ride Bog Warrier though? Ruby will be at Kempton so will it be Davy Russell, with Townend on Sir Des Champs?
Oddy as Davy Russell is the retained jock for Gigginstowns he'll get the pick, regardless of who trains 'em. He didn't pick Bog Warrier the last day. I expect he won't make the same mistake twice! Sir de Champs would probably want further than this test. I'd personally love Townend to get back on the Fly next Thursday but somehow I don't see Ruby staying in England that day...Townend is an awesome jockey.
I will be laying Binocular for the 6th time in 7 races. With the exception of last boxing day, it's been one of my better strategies.
I find Rock On Ruby interesting. The Neptune (as it is now) has historically been a decent guide to the Champion Hurdle with horses such as Istabraq and Hardy Eustace winning both races and most recently Peddlers Cross going on to be second in the Champion behind Hurricane Fly. What is interesting about Rock On Ruby is that he was beaten in the Neptune in a manner which suggests that a return to 2m might be of benefit. He was just run out of it in the final 50yds are so. Have we all been missing a trick with him as a Champion Hurdle contender? If he is up to that level then he will need to win fairly well in the Christmas Hurdle because I would be fairly sure that the others aren't up to winning a Champion. At 9/4 he might be worth a bet considering the form of his Newbury win can hardly have worked out any better.
Thanks for posting this OddDog....very useful. I love Grand Crus.....I'm expecting him to win on Boxing Day...The Feltham is one of my fav races of the year. Would love Binocular to win his race, too.
Binocular will fly in this race, I will be very suprised if he doesnt. If you look at last year and the year before he has never won his 1st race of the seaons and from the look of it has always needed the run out 1st to stretch his legs properly! I am very confident in him this time!
Hey thanks woolcombe-folly....I've just this minute responded to one of your posts, about Binocular, on another thread
I agree Zen I was impressed with his last win, Winning off top weight giving lumps to Empire Levant who is a smart horse in his own right, I don't think hes good enough to win a Champion Hurdle but neither do I think any horse in the Christmas Hurdle is. Binocular won a poor Champion Hurdle and won't win one again whilst the Fly is on the scene and with the smart hurdlers like Spirit Son, Zarkandar, Grandouet about I feel this is Binocular's only chance of a Group One this year, Im expecting a big run but Im not going to write Overturn off completely. Hes had an hard season but seems to love the work load and he wasn't disgraced in the International beaten by a classy classy horse in Grandouet, No shame in that...
This was actually in reply to Oddy's comment on the Daily Thread but thought it would be more appropriate to post it here . . . I fancy that treble too. I think Bobs Worth looks slow and lacks scope so would be disappointed if one of Grands Crus of Silviniaco Conti couldn't account for him. That said he isn't the most impressive so is always one that might be underrated. I didn't like his chasing debut when I thought Cue Card should have given him a sound beating and this is tougher so am happy to oppose him. Grands Crus is obviously the form horse and will take a lot of beating but I like Silviniaco Conti. Nicholls said in his Boxing Day preview that he hopes this one will be back for the King George in 12 months time, and he has also put him up as a potential Gold Cup horse too. Despite the fact that he is obviously held in some regard he has slightly slipped under the radar. The fact that his 2m form talied off a little means he might be the forgotten horse. He was never a 2m hurdler and the very fact that he took his chances in those races must mean he is very smart indeed because he has always been a staying chaser in the making. I'm hoping he might drift a little on the day with support for both Grands Crus and Bobs Worth. Grands Crus will be a tough nut to crack but I think SC has a fair shout. I see it as being between the two so would also consider backing Grands Crus, it just depends on the prices.
Silviniano Conti at 9/2 rates one of the value bets of the day IMO. I love Grands Crus, and hope he develops into a top staying chaser. But his record right handed is poor and at the prices he is worth taking on. Silviniano Conti has jumped immaculately and is going to a massive player over 3m. Very good rhythmical horse and I think will run a big race, it should suit him here. He looks a bright prospect for my money. Rock On Ruby was mightily impressive last time. Will need to be winning here to be a Champion Hurdle force, but one gets the feeling that Zarkandar is Paul Nicholls; best hope. Binocular improved for the run last season and should do so again. Didn't beat very much last year but then again there is not a great deal here this year. Binocular to edge a tight finish with Rock On Ruby running on. Overturn is game but he'll run out of gas late and is not Champion Hurdle class.
