TOP TUESDAY: DAQMAN was firing in the winners yesterday with Hint Of Mint, Gallifrey, Sweettoothtommy and a recommended lay bet on Amour De Nuit all returning a profit.
CHRISTMAS CRACKERS: Daqman continues his preview of the Christmas racing with some of the running plans for the major meetings at Kempton and Leopardstown, which both open for business on Boxing Day.
DAQMAN WEDNESDAY: Today DAQMAN turns his attention to Ludlow where there is some good quality mid-week jumping and to Ffos Las for a novice hurdle.
TWO CHRISTMAS CRACKERS AT KEMPTON
The pinnacle of most festive calendars is the 25th December but for a few that live and breathe national hunt racing the 26th is the real treat. Kempton Park has been basking in an unusually mild December which looks set to leave conditions perfect for two of the highest anticipated races of the season, the King George VI Chase and the Christmas Hurdle.
The Christmas Hurdle has been somewhat of a slow-burner in terms of hype but now that it draws near it looks like we may be set for a truly fascinating contest. Yanworth currently leads the market at 2.42 which at looks slightly skinny to my eye at this stage. A second season hurdler, he was no match for the Willie Mullins trained Yorkhill in the Neptune Novice Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival last season. He returned this season with a workmanlike defeat of the hardy Lil Rockerfeller over 2m3f at Ascot. That was a positive start to the season and showed that he retained his ability but it will take another significant step forward to win this.
A lot however will depend on the latest round of Willie Mullins musical chairs and who (if anyone) he sends for the race. Faugheen is his most obvious contender having won this race for the last two years but he was bitten by the injury bug in February and hasn’t been seen since. A brilliant performer at his best, it is a worry that a niggle kept him out of his intended return in the Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown last month. If he is confirmed as a runner he would likely be priced between 1.8 to 2.2 but as it stands his current price of 3.85 on BETDAQ reflects the uncertainty of the situation. His owner has stated his fondness for this meeting previously which would suggest that he is likely to have a runner and if it is not Faugheen is looks likely to be super sub Vroum Vroum Mag.
The winner of the Mares Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival last season, Vroum Vroum Mag proved she could mix it with the boys when just getting the better of Identity Thief in the BETDAQ Champion Hurdle at Punchestown. She was just out pointed in a thrilling Hattons Grace by Apple’s Jade on her seasonal debut last time but shaped like she would improve for the run. If she is declared for Kempton she will surely give the boys plenty to think about again.
The King George VI presents a truly mouth-watering clash for the racing enthusiast. Colin Tizzard has spent most of his career going against the grain and has made the incredibly sporting decision to pitch his two stable stars; Cue Card and Thistlecrack against each other. It is rare you will find a more intriguing contest; an ageless superstar chasing the £1 million bonus after letting it slip at Cheltenham’s notoriously tricky third last versus a hurdling Phenom being quickly stepped into the big time over fences.
There are so many questions that will be answered on Monday;
– Has Cue Card retained all of his brilliance as a ten year old?
– How will Thistlecrack’s jumping hold up outside of novice company?
– How does last season’s top hurdling and chasing form compare?
Punters are struggling to split the pair with both trading around the 2.5 mark on BETDAQ and at this point I won’t predict a winner but will only hope that Colin Tizzard gets the luck he deserves for standing out from the crowd.
LUDLOW: T-D CAN GET TUNE OUT OF BRAHMS
12.35 Ludlow Brahms De Clermont was by no means bred to be a bumper horse so the fact that he was good enough to win two bodes very well for his connections going forward. He makes his hurdling debut today and looks quite hard to oppose for the Champion Trainer. At 2.26 he appeals as a strong fancy.
1.05 Ludlow Kilcrea Vale was a decent hurdler last season but always appealed as a type that would do better over a fence. Nicky Henderson now gives him his opportunity in what looks a competitive novice chase. He is the highest rated of these at 142 and if he takes to fences, which he should being a former point-to-pointer, he could be very tough to beat at 3.25.
1.35 Ludlow Speaking of Colin Tizzard, he has benefitted from an influx of Ann & Alan Potts horses this season and Sizing Platinum can provide him with another winner here. He ran with credit in two two mile handicaps at Cheltenham this season. The ground here should pose him no issues and this looks the least competitive race he has faces in Britain so far. An early show of 4.8 on BETDAQ could be generous and he looks worth a bet.
FFOS LAS: BILLY CAN BREAK HIS DUCK
12.50 Ffos Las Billy Bronco was an impressive winner of his debut in a bumper at Towcester and was far from disgraced when third on hurdling debut. He steps up on trip today which should be a help and he could be tough to beat for Evan Williams. The main danger looks to be Noble Robin who was an impressive winner of his only start in a point-to-point. That was almost a year ago so his fitness has to be taken very much on trust and the market is likely to provide the best guide to his chances but for now the 3.65 available on Billy Bronco will do.
DAQMAN’S BETS
BET 9pts win BRAHMS DE CLERMONT (nap) (Ludlow 12.35)
BET 5pts win BILLY BRONCO (Ffos Las 12.50)
BET 4pts win KILCREA VALE (Ludlow 1.05)
BET 7pts win SIZING PLATINUM (Ludlow 1.35)
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