[current diary]

Updated: 30th November 2008 - GG.com

December's Rich Fare

Speed ushers in the first taste of December’s jumping action courtesy of the Seasons Holidays Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown on December 6. This is the chance for the fastest 2m chasers in training to strut their stuff in the Grade One event, and if Master Minded, the reigning 2m chase champion, begins his season on the Esher slopes then punters need look no further for the Tingle Creek winner.

A ridiculously easy winner of the Queen Mother Champion Chase in march, the Paul Nicholls-trained gelding has the world at his feet and it will fascinating to see whether he can improve on last season’ successful exploits. Shocks are a rarity in this race and Master Minded should land the spoils at prohibitive odds.

Elsewhere on the same Sandown card the aforementioned Paul Nicholls is sure to hold a strong hand in the Henry V111 Novices’ Chase for fledgling chasers. Nicholls has a host of potentially smart novices to select from and his chosen representative should be noted. Sandown’s card also features the tricky William Hill Handicap Hurdle and this 2m contest often falls to a horse carrying a low weight.

The best of the jumps action moves on to Cheltenham on December 13 for a top-class afternoon’s racing featuring the Boylseports.com Gold Cup Handicap Chase and this year’s renewal looks like offering backers a replay of the Paddy Power Gold Cup where Imperial Commander had the measure of valiant runner-up Barbers Shop. If those two meet again it is hard to see the previous Cheltenham placings being reversed.

In the Boylseports.com International Hurdle would-be Champion Hurdle hopefuls earn the chance to advance their claims. The Irish challenge bore fruit three seasons ago and any horses that they send over for this valuable prize should be looked at carefully but Binocular looks the likeliest winner. On the same day at Lingfield backers should monitor closely the result of the Summit Junior Hurdle at the Surrey course as this graded prize often yields a decent juvenile hurdler.

The countdown to the Christmas racing calendar truly begins with Ascot’s prestigious fixture on December 20. The BGC Long Walk Hurdle is the card’s feature race and it would be no surprise to see some of the leading World Hurdle candidates clashing in this informative contest. Any Irish or French trained runners should be noted in this race and who knows maybe the sprightly veteran Hardy Eustace will bid for Long Walk glory.

In the Ladbroke Hurdle Nicky Henderson may well be the man to side with after landing a pre-Christmas gamble twelve months ago with Jack The Giant. This time around Henderson is expected to aim Sentry Duty, a course and distance winner from earlier in the season, at the decent prize.

On Boxing Day, December 26, Kempton Park plays host to the King George VI Chase and once again an under-a-cloud Kauto Star will be hard pressed to win again and thus race looks wide-open with Voy Por Ustedes, Noland and Tidal Bay all looking a threat.

In the Stan James Christmas Hurdle Andy Turnell’s Blue Bajan will at last find a graded race over the minimum trip that places the accent upon speed and he may well ruffle the feathers of a few more fancied types. Over at Wetherby the Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase takes centre stage and Lothian Falcon could bid for a follow-up success.

On December 27 the Coral Welsh National Handicap Chase is the star attraction and Halcon Genelardais, the 2006 winner and runner-up a year ago, may have to play a supporting role once again. Nenuphar Collonges, his stable companion, looks handily weighted and he will be among the more fancied types along with last year’s winner, Miko de Beauchene. December rounds off its action with the Challow Hurdle at Newbury on December 29 and Diamond Harry looks a good thing here.

Malcolm Heyhoe writes weekly horse racing articles for GG.COM-Horse racing betting, information, news, results and free daily tips

Archive November 2008