Skip to content
Daily Punt Home - Christmas Crackers – Part 1

Christmas Crackers – Part 1

Morning all,

Well, I came off the cold list with Dubai Days success at Ayr yesterday. I was beginning to wonder when I would next provide the column with a winner. That’s one monkey off my back. Dubai Day’s victory was the third of three winners on the day for trainer Nick Alexander who has his horses in cracking form at present.

Racing Behind Closed Doors Again

There was bad news for racing. The Welsh Government announced yesterday that spectators are banned from all indoor, outdoor, professional and sports events in Wales from 26 December. This means the Welsh Grand National at Chepstow on December 27th will once again be run behind closed doors. I suspect you’re more likely to catch Omicron variant down the local Tesco than outside in the Monmouthshire countryside.

Hot on the heels of that news. The Scottish Government announced a cap of 500 spectators at sporting events from December 27th which will last for three weeks.  

Get All of John's Selections

When you Trial his Victor Value service

Just £7 for 14 Days

Click Here for Immediate Access 

Musselburgh’s New Year’s Days fixture will be held behind closed doors. As the racecourse said having 500 spectators wasn’t viable and only annual members, owners, trainers, and staff will be in attendance.

For now, England seems to be holding off adding more restrictions. How long that situation will last is any one’s guess. I fear the sport faces an uncertain few weeks which could run into months.  I hope I’m wrong. The only positive is that racing will at least take place, even if it is behind closed doors.

Christmas Racing

It looks like Kempton’s Boxing Day fixture will be held in front of a crowd.  However, this is a fast-moving situation so you never know. Fingers firmly crossed that King George VI Chase will be run in front of a big crowd.

The ITV camera’s will be covering four races from Kempton and the Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase (2:10) from Wetherby as part of a five-race programme on Sunday. On Monday ITV are covering a bumper eight races: Four from Kempton and four from Chepstow, including the Coral Welsh Grand National (2:50).

On Course Profits free Horse Racing magazine
Ladbrokes King George VI Chase (Grade 1) – Kempton

Ten horses have been left in the King George at Tuesday’s confirmation stage. It looks a good race to watch.  The going at Kempton is currently being described as good but plenty of rain is forecast before Boxing Day.

Contenders:

The ante post betting is headed by Clan Des Obeaux who bids for a third win in the race. He was very disappointing in last year’s race but he came into the contest on the back of a hard race in the Betfair Chase. No such issues this year as the King George will be the 9-year-old’s first start since winning at the Punchestown Festival in April. This is his track and his main target of the season. We also know trainer Paul Nicholls will have spot on fitness wise for this. A worthy favourite. I think so.

Clan Des Obeaux stablemate Frodon won last year’s race and must be respected. However, the 9-year-old did get the race run to suit 12 months ago and I don’t think Bryony Frost will be allowed to dictate the pace as she did last year.

Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Minella Indo seems likely to come over for the race. The 8-year-old finished 5 lengths behind Frodon at Down Royal on his seasonal reappearance. However, he will be sharper for that run and needed it more than winner. Three mile around Kempton could be on the sharp side for him, especially on good ground but a decent pace will suit and if the ground does his stamina will come into play.

Asterion Forlonge, trained by Willie Mullins, seems a likely runner. He looked the most likely winner of the Grade 1 John Durkan at Punchestown when making a mistake an unseating his rider three out. I don’t doubt his ability to win a race like this but will his jumping hold up.

Dashel Drasher: A Lively Outsider?

Nicky Henderson is bullish about the chances of double Grade 1 Novice Chaser Chantry House. The 7-year-old looked high class chase prospect when winning at Cheltenham & Aintree in the spring. Granted he does need to improve again to win a race like this. However, 3m around Kempton looks perfect for him.

Dashel Drasher is the outsider of the ten runners at a best priced 66/1 but he has a better chance than his odds suggest. He won a Grade 1 at Ascot in February, albeit a weak one. He stays 2m 6f, should stay 3m and could improve for it. The key to his chance would be plenty of rain as he seems at his best on soft ground. He will be better for his Ascot reappearance and trainer Jeremy Scott horse’s have started to hit form after a very quiet autumn.  

Wednesday Racing

Today is the final day of racing in Britain until Boxing Day. There’s a jump meeting at Ludlow and all-weather fixtures at Southwell & Wolverhampton.

Not a bad card at Ludlow today. There’s a couple of competitive handicap chases on a seven-race card at the Shropshire track.

Well, I’m off to Ludlow for today’s selection. Can I find another winner for you today?

Ludlow

Desque De L'Isle – 9/2

Good luck with your Wednesday bets.

John

1 thought on “Christmas Crackers – Part 1”

  1. And we all know what racing behind closed doors meant the Strangest set of Results ever .
    I hold up mine if you hold up yours .
    Buggins turn today
    Wouldn’t touch it with a bargepole .
    R

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *