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Updated: 28th December 2010 - GG.com

January's Gems

Karabak
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An ease in the weather is what's required for jump racing to usher in the New Year at the most appropriate possible moment when Cheltenham hosts the first valuable meeting of 2011. Far too much quality racing has been lost already to the freakishly cold winter but if the weather forecasters are correct there may well be rise in temperatures around the New Year period.

On race stands out on Cheltenham's New Year's Day card and that is the Three Counties Club Hurdle that could see a clash between Karabak and Celestial Halo, and preference would be for the former who was back to something like his best when scoring at Cheltenham last time. On the same card the Dipper Novices' Chase sees Reve de Sivola bid to enhance his RSA Chase credentials while a progressive type such as Fine Parchment is usually required to win the victorchandler.com Handicap Chase.

Sandown on January 8 is the setting for the Blue Square Tolworth Novices' Hurdle and down the years the champion trainer Paul Nicholls has turned out many a winner of this valuable novices' prize and any representative from Ditcheat should be carefully considered while any Irish raiders should also be handled with care.

Maktu
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On the same day Chepstow hope to stage the Welsh National and Synchronised and Maktu look the two that stand out against the field. On the following day, January 9, Leopardstown stages the MCR Hurdle and Noel Meade's Asigh Pearl, a recent Fairyhouse winner, is one to watch out for in Ireland's most valuable two-mile handicap hurdle.

The following week's action shifts to Warwick and a fine card that features the totesport.com Classic Handicap Chase, a race that traditionally sorts out the real stayers from the rest after a punishing three miles and five furlongs of the West Midlands track. Once again any starters from the Paul Nicholls camp need putting to the top of the short-list and the yard may run Forest Pennant, who threatens to go well over this sort of extreme distance.

On the same day Kempton intends to re-schedule the King George some three weeks later than normal. The race won't seem the same away from its traditional Boxing Day spot and leading Irish challenger Sizing Europe is already one likely high-profile absentee. If the race goes ahead, Kauto Star should land a remarkable fifth consecutive victory.

The best race of the month takes place at Ascot on January 22 when Master Minded should prove nigh on impossible to beat in the Victor Chandler Handicap Chase. The dual Queen Mother Champion Chase hero should take plenty of stopping after establishing his credentials as the season's top two-miler with an emphatic success in the re-scheduled Tingle Creek at Cheltenham the other day.

Presenting Forever
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Over at Haydock on the same day Peddlers Cross will bid to add more substance to his Champion Hurdler challenge by tackling the Stan James Champion Hurdle Trial. A surprise winner at Newbury on his seasonal return, he should be successful again but faces stiffer tasks ahead if he is to win what is promising to be one of the most competitive Champion Hurdles in an age.

On the same card Presenting Forever would look a good thing if going for the Peter Marsh Chase. This tough and improving young stayer should be well suited by the demands of this race and a quick shuffle through his past form suggests he should also be at home on a flat and left-handed track.

Imperial Commander
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January's jumps action turns full circle on the 29th when Cheltenham stages its full-scale trial fixture for the Festival in march though with so many horses put away in readiness for a run in March, this meeting is having less and less relevance as a Festival Trials fixture.

Still, the Argento Chase has a faint hope of attracting Imperial Commander to its ranks though that looks increasingly unlikely while the Cleeve Hurdle and Betfair Handicap Chase seem sure to be competitive races. Over at Doncaster the Skybet Handicap Chase is the feature on a fine card alongside the often influential Lightning Novices' Chase and the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle.

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

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