With two meetings called off today because of the weather, I’m not having a bet.  Southwell  has racing on the all weather, but nothing of too much interest there.

Some decent horses racing in Ireland, it would be good to see Faugheen win again today 2:30 Leopardstown, he is just way too short to back him. It looks a formality for him to win and enhance his chances for the Champion hurdle next March at Cheltenham.

Jockey:

One rider I have taken note of recently riding on the flat, is apprentice Rossa Ryan, he rode 2 winners yesterday.  He still claims 7lb , but that won’t be for long, as this young lad is excellent value for his claim, he could well make the grade, if he manages to keep his weight in check, as he looks quite tall and is still very young.

I am not having a bet on grass with there being inspection’s at Leicester and Catterick planned before racing can go ahead.  Tommy Silver my selection yesterday was unsuited by the heavy overnight rain, sometimes at this time of year it has to be expected, I was led to believe that the ground at Kempton was not that bad early morning.  If anyone saw the Paul Nichols interview ( ITV racing) before the race, he did sound more positive about the winner handling the soft ground better than stablemate Tommy Silver.

Todays Free tip is as follows:

Horse: Chingachgook

Time: 1:15 Lingfield

Current Odds: 5/1 ew

This horse ran well when 3rd at Wolverhampton recently.  He was behind a couple of fairly useful sorts that day, and is worth a bet each way in this race.  He has a decent draw and the jockey rides a lot for the trainer, and rode this colt on debut, when given a nice gentle introduction .  With some improvement expected for his run, he can be right in the mix of this race. Of his rivals , Zalshah has had plenty of runs, he won a nursery last time and has a penalty for that win, now dropped back into a novice race, he is dangerous. As is Ode To Autumn, who has decent form on turf, he didn’t look totally genuine when finishing 2nd on his second start, and had another run after that when he took a step backwards, he has been gelded since, and that operation could well see an improved run from him, as he definitely has talent.

A good winner yesterday with Might Bite winning one of the big races at Kempton yesterday.  He finished up at 6/4 so a slight drift in price.  If The Cap Fits won the 12.45 Kempton, I did mention that I would back him if he drifted a bit in the market, when he was 7/4 I had to back him as well as the each way bet I had on Irish Prophecy in the same race, he was badly hampered three from home by a faller, he had no chance to recover from that, he is one to keep an eye on, as he was still travelling well before being impeded.

The  wet weather has caused Chepstow to be called off, hopefully the other tracks will go ahead with snow another concern in the UK.

Todays Free tip is as follows:

Horse: Tommy Silver

Time:1.20 Kempton

Current Odds: 3/1

In a small field for a novice chase that will be ran at a fast pace I think.  My selection ran well when second last time to Testify, who has won again since.  Tommy Silver  travels well, and horse jumps well. It helps to be a strong traveller at Kempton , as it is known as a fast track. I think he has a good chance of winning at fair odds. Of rivals Shantou Rock will very likely start favourite and probably make the running, he is the main threat I think, Cyrname has a chance with Noel Fehily riding as well.

 

Managed to have a saver bet on If The Cap Fits when it drifted to 7/4.  He won quite well, Irish Prophecy was badly hampered by a faller 3 out and did not recover.

Hope that it remains dry for Might Bite and he can win.

I am putting my blog fancies for tomorrow on tonight, I will do an update in the morning if anything fresh comes to light.

Boxing Day free tips are as follows:

Horse: Irish Prophecy

Time 12:45 Kempton

Current Odds: 12/1 ew

Although I am a big fan of If The Cap Fits who is favourite for this race, he is a bit short in price, if he drifts slightly I will back him as well.  Irish Prophecy was not totally suited to the slow pace when second at Doncaster recently.  He lost his unbeaten record that day to a very useful horse, and was eased on the run in, so the margin he was beaten was a bit flattered. He has already won at Kempton before in a bumper, when he had Diesse Des Bieffes (behind him in 5th) so that was a good win, and he likes going right handed, this horse likes a strong pace to aim at, hopefully he will get the strong pace in this better grade, and at 12/1 is value each way.

As I have mentioned I think If The Cap Fits is the main one for all of them to beat, he has taken well to hurdles and his jockey knows him well, Solomon Grey is another that could run well at decent odds. Keep an eye on the weather, if it goes to very soft, bet with extra caution.

I will update tomorrow around 11:30am, hopefully not too much rain falls overnight, it’s raining quite a bit here in Guernsey.

Horse: Might Bite

Time: 3:05 Kempton

Current Odds: 5/4

This is a horse that is still improving, he looked as though he had gone forward when winning at Sandown in his first run this season, hopefully the ground does not get too soft, so although I think he will win, I’m waiting until tomorrow before having a bet, as his main threat Bristol Di Mai loves soft/heavy ground, and if it is very soft I will not get involved in the race.  Of others Thistlecrack has a bit too prove, he was a bit below form on his recent run over hurdles, reports are he was not fully wound up and will take a big step forward for that run, he will need to, if he wants to win this competitive event.

 

Comily ran well yesterday at Ascot to dead heat for second.  Backed each way at 11/2 gives a tiny profit.  It would be interesting to see how much further she went than the winner,as her jockey Nico De Boinville gave the outside up to nobody !

The winner was well ridden by Lizzie Kelly, who went down the inside all the way, saving ground, the complete opposite of Comily’s rider Nico De  Boinville.

No racing for the next two days, a couple of entries of interest on Boxing Day so should hopefully find a winner.

Nice winner yesterday with Divine Spear winning at Ascot yesterday, he returned at 13/8,    not sure why he drifted in the betting, it didn’t stop him winning easily.

Todays free tip is as follows:

Horse: Comely

Time: 12.40 Ascot

Current Odds: 11/2 EW

Comely has been very consistent, she won well last time and looked as though it was a big improvement on her run back in May when she was 3rd, she can take another step forward today and looks a value EW bet at around 11/2 with some firms (Betfair). Of rivals Forgetthe smalltalk looks possibly the main one to beat, quite strong in the betting and has a fair chance, it is a fairly open race, hopefully the weather stays dry for my selection as she has ran ok on soft ground, but think her best form has been when the ground is not too deep.

 

Some really good racing at Ascot, especially the first race which is anyone’s guess who will win that.   The 3 runner Novice chase 2.30, also looks like being a good race, I would like to see Finian’s Oscar win, I backed him when he was below par last time, that was over 2 miles, its back to a more preferable trip today of 2m 5f.  Hopefully he can prove himself back over this trip.

Todays free tips are as follows:

Horse: Divine Spear

Time: 1.20 Ascot

Current Odds: 5/4

Although short priced and inexperienced over fences, I think this horse could well improve a fair bit for the switch from hurdles to the bigger obstacles.  Having won at Catterick recently over fences, he will improve for that run, his trainers horses are flying, and I think he can be too good for his rivals.  The biggest possible threat could come from Exitas, he has been running well, and has a good claimer riding.

 

Horse: Posh Trish

Current Odds: 3.40 Ascot

Current Odds: 5/1 EW

I was taken with Posh Trish when she won at Cheltenham 34 days ago, in what is a very strong race today, with lots with chances and big reputations to live up to, this race will take a bit of winning, that is why I am betting her each way,  as she is round 5/1 with some firms.  Of rivals, it is quite difficult to know where to start on dangers, Gallashers Cross, Bullionaire, and Hidden Glen are all unbeaten.  All are promising types, I just think this big filly Posh Trish can be right in the mix in this race.

 

 

 

The horse I like today is too short to back, so I’m not playing, if there is no value then I don’t see the point! More tomorrow.

Nice to back Mr Whipped each way yesterday, I put on the update, as I thought he was overpriced at 7/1, my other selections ran well, both second.

Today I hope to have something later today, I will do another post around 2pm.