Morning all,
I have to say the festive action was pretty good. Chock-full of high-class racing and top flight performances.
We’ll all have our own favourites for me it’s got to be Shishkin’s winning return at Kempton and of course Galopin Des Champs successful chase debut at Leopardstown. The way Willie Mullins talked about the 6-year-old after his win last week. Tells you all you need to know about the horse. He was one of the exciting novice chase prospects we have seen in recent years.
The bookies think so to as he’s a best priced 7/4 for the Festival Novices Chase at Cheltenham and favourite with some bookies for the 2023 Gold Cup.
Inside today’s main piece I have four horses form the Christmas period that are worth adding to your trackers. Plus, I have a selection from Hereford.
Four for the Tracker
I spent a lot of the festive period watching the racing from Leopardstown and Limerick. There should be plenty of future winners to come from Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting. Hopefully I have pinpointed two of them. There are also eyecatchers from Wetherby and Limerick.
Leopardstown
Pike County – Denise Foster
Pike County might be a nine-race maiden of hurdles but the 8-year-old is lurking on a good mark. Returning from an 11-week absence he was never put into the race by his jockey when 15 length 7th of 28 to Priory Park in a handicap hurdle at Leopardstown last week. I noted him doing some good work at the finish despite a tender ride. He was sent off 28/1 and is one to note in the coming weeks. Owned by J P McManus when he's fancied he will go close.
Dunboyne – Gordon Elliott
Looked a nice prospect when winning a maiden hurdle at Thurles in February. The 7-year-old put in a very encouraging effort when a 7-length 5th of 27 to Panda Boy in the Pertemps Series Qualifier at Leopardstown last Tuesday. Given he didn’t get the clearest of passages two out and in the straight. This was a great effort in the circumstances to get as close to the winner as he did at the finish. Not given a hard by his jockey there will be other days for him and he’s now qualified for the final at Cheltenham.
Wetherby
Lord Du Mesnil – Richard Hobson
Bounced back to form from three none completions. With a grand effort when a 1 ¾ length 2nd of 9 to Good Boy Bobby in the Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase on Boxing Day. He was found to be suffering from heat stress which suggests he had a hard race. Last season’s Grand National Trial winner at Haydock. He seems likely to be aimed at that race again. It’s a track he’s got an excellent record at with form figures of 1121.
Previous eyecatcher Empire Steel was still going well when falling four out in the same race. He goes well in the mud and will surely land a decent pot if his confidence hasn’t been dented.
Limerick
Longhouse Poet – Martin Brassil
Longhouse Poet was returning from a 12-month absence when 38 ¾ lengths 7th of 14 to Spyglass Hill on handicap chase at Limerick week. It was a better effort than distance beaten suggests from the top-weight. He got outpaced four out. Before making a big move which he couldn’t maintain due a lack of race fitness. When last seen in action he had won a 3m 1f beginners’ chase at Punchestown (heavy), Beating the likes of Run Wild Fred and The Big Dog. This was an encouraging effort from the 8-year-old. Who will strip fitter next time and can improve for a return to 3m. He’s looks on a fair mark and can win a staying handicap chase.
Tuesday Racing
Yesterday’s selection Classie Tune ran an absolutely stormer from the front at Southwell yesterday and got within a ½ length of the winner.
Today’s action see’s a seven-race card at jumps card at Hereford. Plus, all-weather fixtures at Lingfield & Newcastle.
Hereford
1:45 – Mr Washington has returned to action in winning form at Chepstow in November. The 9-year-old almost followed up, from a 4lb higher mark, when a neck 2nd of 8 at Uttoxeter last time. Up a further 5lb makes life tougher. However, Lily Pinchin takes off 5lb which negates the weight rise. At around 7/1 he looks value to go close again.
Mr Washington
Good luck with your Tuesday bets.
John