Hi all,
Inside today’s bumper packed main piece I’m looking back at some of the standout performances from the Christmas racing.
The fog spoilt the Boxing Day action, but thankfully Kempton escaped it for King George VI Chase Day. However, it lingered at Chepstow on Friday for the Coral Welsh Grand National. If it wasn’t such a major event (and sponsor-driven), the meeting should have been abandoned. As mentioned in Saturday’s column, paying spectators saw none of the action and it was a poor spectacle for ITV viewers.
Boxing Day Highlights
Kempton delivered a treat on Boxing Day. Constitution Hill made a winning return in the Grade 1 Christmas Hurdle. Lossiemouth failed to fire, but it was good to see Constitution Hill back in action.
He achieved an RPR 4lb better than last year’s performance in this race but 15lb below his Champion Hurdle peak. He might not need to hit that latter height to retain his title in March.
Lossiemouth’s effort was disappointing. Perhaps Kempton’s speed-favouring track didn’t suit, or it was just an off day. Softer ground at Cheltenham should play to her strengths, but it’s hard to see her beating Constitution Hill should they meet again.
The big question: Can Nicky Henderson keep Constitution Hill sound for March?
King George Drama
After Constitution Hill, the King George VI Chase stole the show. Il Est Francais set a strong gallop and jumped superbly, unsettling his rivals. Indeed, only one horse was able to make inroads. He looked the winner until tiring coming to the last, with a final mistake handing the race to Banbridge.
It was a brave effort by Il Est Francais and given his good jumping could run well in the Ryanair Chase. Banbridge proved his stamina for three miles, and Paul Townend timed his ride perfectly. The Gold Cup may beckon, but the Ryanair would suit better distance wise, provided the ground is good.
Well-backed Spillane’s Tower couldn’t get into a rhythm and needs softer ground. Plenty of Gold Cup hopefuls have underperformed here before bouncing back. He’s not one to dismiss yet.
Aintree’s Rising Star
Up at Aintree, Potters Charm extended his unbeaten streak to five in the Grade 1 William Hill Formby Novices’ Chase. The drop back to 2m 1f didn’t hinder him, and his attitude impressed. A dual Cheltenham winner, he’s now a serious British contender for the Turners Novices’ Hurdle in March.
Sir Gino Sparkles
Friday’s highlight came at Kempton, where Sir Gino dazzled on his chase debut in the Grade 2 Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase. His jumping was electric, and he had too much speed for Ballyburn.
An RPR of 166 ranks him among the best winners of this race in the last decade with more to come. Only Altior and Shishkin have achieved higher ratings. Sir Gino is now the one to beat in the Arkle at Cheltenham.Ballyburn lost nothing in defeat. Kempton’s quick track didn’t suit him, but he remains a big contender for the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase over three miles.
Other Highlights
Leopardstown’s Grade 1 Paddy’s Rewards Club Chase saw Solness pull off a 28/1 upset. Favourite Gaelic Warrior lacked race fitness and softer ground and should bounce back.
In the Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle, Romeo Coolio returned to winning ways. He’s now a key player for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.
Saturday’s Grade 1 Action
Saturday delivered another four Grade 1 races across Newbury, Leopardstown, and Limerick.
The New Lion Roars at Newbury
At Newbury, The New Lion dazzled in the Coral Challow Novices' Hurdle. The Dan Skelton-trained 5-year-old cruised into the lead at the last and powered clear under minimal effort, making a strong field look ordinary.
Could he be the best horse Dan Skelton has trained? It’s highly likely. He might even be something special.
The proximity of Wendigo in second raises questions about the form’s strength. However, the race time compared well to the earlier handicap hurdle, suggesting it wasn’t a weak field. Only time will tell if this proves a key trial for the Turners Novices' Hurdle.
I thought Potters Charm, after Boxing Day, was Britain’s top Turners hope. Now, The New Lion has taken that mantle.Bill Joyce, third, ran well and likely needs softer ground. The big letdown was 5/4 favourite Regents Stroll, who raced too keenly and still looked green. Maybe something was amiss, or he’s not as good as Paul Nicholls hoped. His next run will reveal more.
Home By The Lee Stays Strong
At Leopardstown, Home By The Lee stormed home in the Savills Hurdle (2m 7½f). The 9-year-old hit his usual flat spot two out but powered through late to reel in Bob Olinger. He hasn’t been the most consistent of horses, but he’s now won his last two and looks better than ever.
Bob Olinger, either doesn’t stay three miles or he’s doesn’t find anything off the bridle—it’s likely a combination of both. He’s not a Grade 1 horse these days and probably needs a drop back in to Grade 2 company. Indeed, maybe it’s worth trying him from the front given his finishing effort is weak.
Galopin Des Champs: Another Gold Cup Success Beckons
In the Savills Chase, Galopin Des Champs claimed his second win in commanding style. It was billed as a match between him and stablemate Fact To File, and so it proved.
Galopin got an uncontested lead in front. Fact To File still looked a threat jumping two out, but by the last, Galopin powered clear. A length at the last turned into 7½ lengths at the line.
Paul Townend delivered another masterclass ride after his King George victory on Banbridge. Galopinremains at the peak of his powers. A third Cheltenham Gold Cup looks a foregone conclusion on the evidence of this performance.
Fact To File needs to settle better. Beating Galopin over the Gold Cup trip seems unlikely unless the ground is quick. His best chance lies in the Ryanair Chase. If he was to run in that race it could be a tougher race than the Gold Cup.
My 25/1 each-way selection Inothewayurthinkin ran well. His jumping improved after his seasonal debut in the John Durkan. There’s more to come, and he’ll relish a return to Cheltenham, especially on softer ground. He’s a lively outsider for a Gold Cup place albeit it’s hard to see him beating Galopin Des Champs.
Impaire Et Passe Outclasses Limerick Rivals
At Limerick, smart hurdler Impaire Et Passe made it 2-2 over fences in the Faugheen Novice Chase. He travelled strongly, and despite a rightward leap at the last, won decisively.
The race wasn’t the strongest Grade 1, but the winner’s class shone through. Two miles four furlongs looks ideal for him. With no intermediate Grade 1 novice chase at Cheltenham this season, he’ll skip the Festival and head to Aintree.
Brighterdaysahead Lights Up Sunday
If it’s not fog, it’s low sun spoiling the racing. On Sunday at Leopardstown, the latter forced the omission of the last fence and hurdle for some of the earlier races, leaving a long run-in. Thankfully, cloud cover arrived just in time for the feature Grade 1 Neville Hotels Hurdle.
Six went to post, with King Of Kingsfield setting a strong pace for stablemate Brighterdaysahead. Connections set out to make it a strong stamina test for the mare and the plan worked out superbly. The pair pulled well clear of favourite State Man by four out. Taking over two out, Brighterdaysahead stormed clear, leaving State Man struggling to catch her. He even lost second close home.
State Man ran flat, but Brighterdaysahead delivered a breathtaking performance, ploughing her rivals into the Leopardstown turf. Surely, the Champion Hurdle—not the Mares’ Hurdle—now beckons for this top-class mare. I doubt even Constitution Hill could have lived with her on Sunday. This mighty effort will have taken a lot out over and I wouldn’t be surprised if we don’t see her until Cheltenham. You can relive her demolition job here.
Her performance was the standout of the festive period for me. The Champion Hurdle picture just got a lot more interesting.
Monday Racing
Monday offers jump racing at Haydock and Taunton, followed by an evening all-weather card at Wolverhampton. Heavy ground at Haydock and a busy festive schedule have limited entries to just 48 horses across seven races. However, there are three competitive handicap chases to analyse.
Haydock Preview
1:30 – Handicap Chase (Class 3) – 2m 4f
Happy And Fine scored in this race last year on heavy ground and returns off a 4lb higher mark. While he lacks a prep run this time, he might be value against Classic Maestro, who is chasing a four-timer. Trac won handicap chases at Newcastle and Carlisle last spring. Well beaten on return at Kelso, he stays this trip and handles testing ground. Has claims but big odds reflect his yard's 37-day winless streak.
2:00 – Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase – 3m½ f
Galassian thrives on soft ground, as shown by his maiden hurdle win at Bangor 17 days ago. A former point-to-point winner, he steps up in trip and debuts over fences for Mel Rowley, fresh from her Welsh Grand National success. Broomfield Present, a hurdles winner at this track, has underwhelmed since a promising chase debut last November. Cheekpieces replace the visor, and a drop in trip could spark improvement, and he’s well-treated on old form.
Ottoline a winner at Uttoxeter on heavy ground last season, disappointed on her seasonal return over hurdles at Sandown last month. However, a switch back to fences could see her bounce back to form. Cream Of The West made a costly error at the second fence on his chase debut at Hexham (2m 4f) 19 days ago. Despite this, he was staying on well late to finish 6th, beaten 12½ lengths in a competitive field of 14. A step up in trip should suit, and he’s on a workable mark. That said, the yard hasn’t saddled a winner in 28 days, which is a concern.
3:10 – Betfred Last Fling Handicap Chase (Class 2) – 3m 4½f
Montgomery, heavily backed (2/1 fav) for the London Grand National at Sandown 23 days ago, ran respectably to finish 5th, beaten just over six lengths by Mr Vango. He may have needed the run that day. The 7-year-old drops slightly in class here and boasts three chase wins on heavy ground last season. With the yard taking this race last year, he has good claims albeit he’ll be a short price. Saint Xavier lacks consistency and hasn’t won since taking a veterans' handicap chase over 3m½f here in November 2022. He handles soft ground well, but his stamina for a marathon trip remains unproven. However, he carries a featherweight, with Charlie Maggs claiming an additional 5lb. The trainer and jockey teamed up successfully to land the Rowland Meyrick at Wetherby on Boxing Day, adding a note of confidence.
In Tuesday's column, I’ll highlight a couple of future winners to track from the foggy festive period.
Good luck with your Monday bets.
John