With an 11 month old at home I suspect I may struggle to see the television through the amount of wrapping paper likely to be in my living room on Boxing day however I have managed to put up what I hope will be a few Christmas crackers for you readers.
First up in the opener at Kempton I think FIRE FLYER is dangerously well handicapped now stepping up in trip. As a hurdler you would look at him and think 2m 4f and fence would bring out the best of him and with Paul Nicholls always speaking highly of him you can’t help but feel he is well handicapped off 126. A nice spin at Exeter on debut would have put him just about spot on for this and I am more than hopeful that he can go close in a competitive race.
The Pertemps qualifier at Wincanton is always one of my favourite races over the Christmas period and this year’s renewal looks at the mercy of Long Draw after his facile success at Cheltenham last time. However, I’m going to chance the unexposed DARTMOOR PIRATE who should appreciate the switch back to hurdles after an unconvincing chase debut. Anthony Honeyball has always spoke highly of this horse and some of his for over shorter last year suggests he should be a lot better than his current mark. The step up to 3m should bring about plenty of improvement and he might just be a lurker down the bottom of the weights.
INISHABRO is a horse I have kept an eye on this season in his novice hurdles and it’s worth noting Henry Oliver wastes no time sending him into handicap company after being awarded an opening mark of 104. Both Oliver and jockey Lee Edwards make the journey across to Market Rasen for this horse and with the race not looking the deepest I think he should be going close.
Kempton 12.45 – Fire Flyer
Wincanton 2.38 – Dartmoor Pirate
Market Rasen 3.32 – Inishabro
