The Baring Bingham Novice Hurdle
We have a huge field here which makes this race a very challenging puzzle to say the least! No Drama This End has been more or less the market leader for the vast majority of the season and certainly warrants respect. I would just doubt he is as clear from some of the more unexposed types in here than the market would have you believe. The Irish contenders are plentiful, the drier the ground the better Sober’s chances become. Ballyfad and Skylight Hustle hail from a yard that has plenty of decent yard novice hurdlers. I am keen to play one at a price here each- way, Taurus Bay for BetVictor brand ambassador Harry Redknapp. He finished second in a photo finish last time out here at the track over a similar trip. Captain Hugo who beat him at Aintree has given the form some substance after he won again recently. I think he can make the frame and is each-way price to do so.
The Brown Advisory Novice Chase
I think the best race on the card full stop is this Brown Advisory, we have plenty of angles and arguments for who you should be backing here. Romeo Coolio steps up significantly in trip for the first time and certainly on paper that should suit him, but he is very much an unknown quantity at the distance. Final Demand has been one of the most talked about horses this week and the vibes have been confusing about if he was to even take part. The facts are this, he is set to run and whilst he is a horse I wouldn’t write off, I do have concerns about the run last time out and that is enough to see me look elsewhere. Anyone that follows me on social media will know my love for Wendigo, he has done little wrong this season. Some may point to the third at Kempton on Boxing Day but I think this track will suit him much more, he delivered a big run last Spring in the Albert Bartlett and had a confidence boosting easy win at Ayr last time out. I can’t have him out the four and think that the prices he is a great each-way bet.
1 point each-way Wendigo
The BetMGM Cup Hurdle
A race that looks a good renewal of what we know as the Coral Cup, I like two at big prices. Franciscan Rock finished fifth in the 2024 renewal of this contest and last year was sixth in the Stayers Hurdle. I think he can outrun his mammoth odds and has a jockey taking a few pounds off which will be handy in such a deep contest. My other pick will be Kateira, again an each-way bet, for the Skelton team who got off the mark with a winner yesterday. They know what type you need to win a race like this and have got this mare well handicapped in my view. She has some classy form, and I think will be at least be in the mix as they turn in. The only negative I can find here is a lack of course experience.
1 point Franciscan Rock each-way
1 point each way Kateria each-way
The Cross Country Chase
Very much a race for me which is a no bet, for most people this race is a bit like marmite, and I sit very much on the hate side of things!
The Queen Mother Champion Chase
A race that in recent years has been a bit of a benefit for the bookies, we can recall Douvan and El Fabiolo both getting beat at short prices. This year its Majborough who aims to get the job done for favourite backers and providing he replicates his Dublin Racing Festival form he should do just that. The application of cheek pieces seems to have focused his mind and helped him mature. Last season he still nearly won the Arkle despite some jumping blunders. The only real way I can see him beat is if the opposition seek to put that jumping under pressure early. Sadly, for those that want to oppose him the depth in here is lacking slightly. I think he will be well backed close to the off and win.
2-point win Majborough
The Johnny Henderson Grand Annual
I think this will be very much a race that will see the front of the betting spot on with my expectation that Be Aware and previous festival winner Jazzy Matty both are likely to go close and are on my short list. Inthepocket however can’t go without being backed here and is an each-way pick. Henry De Bromhead had a couple go well yesterday and this horse has looked a bit of a handicap project for a while now. A grade one winner at Aintree over hurdles I suspect he can be better than his mark and the better ground will see him improve for what he has achieved recently in Ireland on a softer surface.
1 point each-way Inthepocket
The Champion Bumper
It is hard in my view to be seriously confident about having a significant bet in the Champion Bumper given these are young horses still learning, but I’ll be having a small play on Keep Him Company for Gordon Elliott. I like the fact this horse skipped the Dublin Racing Festival and impressed over Christmas in similar ground at Leopardstown. His time figure was decent in that win and I expecting him to go well today as he aims to maintain his unbeaten record.
1 point each-way Keep Him Company
