Chacun Pour Soi is the one to beat in the Champion Chase after he impressed and Altior fluffed his lines. Recap all of the action.
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1548: Racing is ongoing at Wolverhampton where there is a decent card, just scanning back through the results and I see the money continued to come for Three Platoon on debut but he was beaten just a length into third at 8/15 - ouch.
Moonlight For Paris will have been a popular winner for Ryan Moore and John Gosden though and there are still four more to come from the West Midlands. Good luck if you're playing.
That's all from the blogging chair until next Saturday though. There's plenty more top class action to come before that though, especially in Ireland tomorrow and you'll be able to keep up to date with all the news, views and results in all the usual places.
There's been no shortage of entertainment and drama over the last two days and some star performances - as well as the disappointments - to boot. I've certainly enjoyed it and I hope you have too. See you anon.
1538: The support for Cadzand does make an each-way bet slightly more appealing and The Bees Knees has to be high on that list at 6/1. Torigni is a late drifter and the market is all about the favourite. David Crosse has the last ride of his career, could he go out on a winner? The market says no.
Cadzand is settled in rear. Sternrubin is prominent under a tight hold with River Bray and Faro De Kerser up there. The field have bunched up as they turn into the back straight. Hang In There and Christopher Wood have pulled their way to the front, a few jockeys seemingly intent not to be too far out of their ground. Into the straight, any number of half a dozen could win. Torigni flattened the second last. Gamble landed. Cadzand dots up.
They clearly knew they had a well handicapped horse there and that, really, was as easy as you like. The only slight question was if he would pick up when let down as he was on the bridle halfway down the home straight but he did respond when asked and quickly pulled clear from the last. It might take a little while for the handicapper to catch up with him.
1529: There's an even shorter priced favourite for the bumper at Leopardstown with Reality Cheque just 2/5. I don't think there's too much to get excited about there but there is a decent handicap still to come from Kempton.
Can the Skeltons sign off with a winner? Cadzand has certainly been well supported but so has the fascinating Torigni and that pair are dominating the betting. Eddiemaurice and Sternrubin are at the other end of the experience spectrum and both have their supporters at bigger prices with the former a regular in this contest.
Nico de Boinville has his first ride for Tom George but there's been no money for Faro De Kerser who has won his last two starts in France. In contrast, the money appears to be pouring on Cadzand who is as short as 9/4 now.
Drama at Leopardstown with Reality Cheque falling in the straight with the race at his mercy. Reality Cheque has sadly broken down. That is really ominous and would be an awful end to their card if worst fears are confirmed.
1520: Mr Glass is favourite ahead of Parramount and Highstakesplayer for the bumper at Wetherby.
If Royal Pagaille is going to go to Cheltenham in March then the Ultima Handicap Steeple Chase is the obvious target (unless he takes on the same owner's Monkfish in the RSA Chase!) and not many firms have priced up the handicaps yet and he doesn't appear to have been priced up yet.
Parramount leads into the straight at Wetherby from Mr Glass but he didn't find as much as looked likely and the market gets it right; a winner for Paul and Megan Nicholls.
1510: Interesting money for Commanche Red. They're racing. A few of them are a bit messy over the first of 18 fences and Commanche Red, I think, got a couple of reminders on landing after the ditch. Mellow Ben leads and is surely too free to last home but he does have company from The Kings Writ and Double Shuffle; there's a few lengths back to the field.
There must be a good 25 lengths from last to first, if not more, with a circuit to run. Quite a few of these aren't really having a cut at their fences. Royal Pagaille creeps closer but is still in sixth. Seven to jump. The top half of the field have closed right up now. Royal Pagaille travels easily but they are a long way out. Royal Pagaille jumps to the front alongside Double Shuffle. Cap du Nord and Adrien du Pont next. It's Cap and Royal but the latter still hasn't been asked a question. He jumps the last and there's only a shake of the reigns. He's dotted up. He's returned the 9/2 favourite and was one of the big market movers. It didn't happen for him in his first season since arriving from France but has certainly acclimatised now.
1505: The price has gone on Royal Pagaille and neither Erick Le Rouge nor Manofthemountain run. The price on Cap Du Nord looks a little more tempting now but everything went right for him at Newbury, things can't go as well again can they? Hmm. I do like his price in relation to a number of the others though. Mellow Ben doesn't stay does he? Adrien du Pont is a similar price but is a bit in and out. Perhaps I should just shout home Double Shuffle for Value Bet. Martin Dixon is with The Kings Writ.
1456: A decent staying handicap chase is underway at Leopardstown with Lock's Corner the fascinating favourite for the Paddy Power Chase. A similar contest is next at Kempton.
They're passing the winning post and after seven fences, all are still standing. Monbeg Notorious has cried enough but Castlebawn West still leads. Minella Times is second but as you'd expect, there are a good number in contention with a mile to run. Four to jump; there seem to be Gigginstown horses everywhere. Lock's Corner makes an awful mistake, there wasn't much racing room going into the second last. There was no trouble out in front where Castlebawn West (13/2) was racing though and that's where he stayed, fine ride, fine performance. Minella Times and Farclas were the next two home.
1449: They've been racing for a little while at Wetherby but it's over three miles and they're not yet at halfway. It's the penultimate race on their card and Leverock Lass leads (won well at some point during the below interviews).
De Boinville on Altior: "I was in trouble from a long way out. He's gone out fighting. I thought he probably had a hard enough race there."
I imagine we'll see him again, one more time at least, but if he doesn't run his race next time then I should think that will be that. Andrew Thornton is trying to be positive on ITV but it's very difficult to take too many from that race.
Here's the trainer: "I'd be very surprised if that's the end. I can't believe we'll retire him. That wasn't the result we expected. He wasn't really travelling within himself. As Nico said, thank goodness we didn't run him at Sandown. That was his first run for a very long time. I suppose something like the Game Spirit is going to have to be the ultimate test to see where we go."
1430: What a peculiar race.
Harry Skelton: "He travelled and jumped and that's what he's always been good at. He won in a canter to be honest on ground that is probably slow enough for him. He's only six and he was very impressive today wasn't he?"
Rouge Vif continued and didn't drop right out as I thought looked likely. Altior was bustled along very early and continually by Nico de Boinville who dismounted on the track and left his mount to be led in. Altior didn't jump all that fluently and never, ever looked to be travelling. That race absolutely fell apart at the seams. Duc des Genievres didn't build on his run at Cheltenham, weakening disappointingly in the straight and for all that the winner was impressive and is a nice horse, you wouldn't be in a rush to back him against top class opposition next time (probably, it's all about the price). Aintree was apparently the plan for him last year and you wouldn't be surprised if he headed there again with Skelton riding Politologue this season. They're in different yards but it's not hard to see the two being kept apart.
Nube Negra appears to be a best of 16/1 for the Queen Mother on Oddschecker and that's not a price that appeals to me.
Chacun Pour Soi is now 6/4 and 13/8 for the Champion Chase with Altior 12/1.
1425: It's Altior time - have you taken the 4/5?
He has a penalty and this is no easy task. I'd (nominally) place lay Sceau Royal and get Rouge Vif onside. I very much want Altior to win this and to win this well; it's no fun watching stars lose their sheen. Daryl Jacob has trotted Sceau Royal over to the vet I think and was looking down as he did so. The farrier is coming out. There will be a delay of a few minutes if he's going to be reshod which appears to be the case.
Presumably this will be run at a decent clip with Duc des Genievres and Global Citizen in the line-up. Altior has hit 11/10!
The Duc is very weak in the betting and Rouge Vif and Sceau Royal are now 9/2 second favourites with the Duc drifting from that price to 13/2. Nube Negra and Global Citizen are 18s and 20s and I think both were longer a little while ago. The farrier is still working on Sceau Royal but he's done now and Jacob is back in the saddle.
They're off. Rouge Vif and Global Citizen lead at the first but are soon joined by Duc. They're settling down now (sort of) and it's Global from Duc while Rouge Vif has shifted from the outside to the rail in third. Altior in fourth ahead of Nube Negra. Altior being scrubbed along on landing at the first on the side of the course and Sceau Royal falls at the next as they head towards the sixth. Rouge Vif now last. Altior up into second. Rouge Vid drops right out very quickly and can't be right. Altior needing to be kept up to his work. Duc still leads, Nube Negra travels well as he often does. Altior keeps going but struggles. Nube Negra leads, Altior into second. Nube Negra will win. What a couple of days for the Skelton family.
1417: There's an excellent handicap hurdle coming up at Leopardstown and you'd expect to see a few of these in action in Britain later in the season. Master McShee was second to Appreciate It last time but is second favourite behind Winner Takes Itall.
They are circling at the start for the valuable prize. They are going to be jumping the last which is good news. This has been a decent race for those at the head of the market lately. They're off.
The Moyglass Flyer made an early mistake but it hasn't cost him too much ground. Daybreak Bay, second last year, leads Master McShee; they're tightly grouped but it will all change quickly on the turn for home. Beyond The Law goes on at halfway. Two to jump. Winner Takes Itall makes ground in fifth. It's Master McShee (5/1), always well placed and four clear at the last where he's a little slow. Sea Ducor beat the rest well enough but was no match for the winner, you have to feel for him a little but the winner's form was there for all to see and he was perfectly placed throughout.
1411: Marracudja is making the running at Wetherby and leads by half a dozen lengths. First Flow is second and very slow through the air at whichever fence it was they've just jumped (!); there are three more to take. The King Of May and First Flow have closed up on the leader. First Flow isn't having a going day, I think I recall Kim Bailey saying he's quirky but he is picking up for pressure. Marracudja dropped out quickly, The King Of May led but was passed close home by First Flow and Eragone who flashed home. First Flow wins at 11/10 but he must have hit some price in running when appearing to be going nowhere fast halfway down the home straight.
1404: "She's taken time to come together but she settles better when you're in front which helps and that gives her a chance to finish her race off," says winning jockey Harry Skelton (abridged version).
It's the Castleford up next which is still of interest even without Nuts Well. First Flow is favourite ahead of the well handicapped Marracudja.
Nicky Henderson has been speaking about Altior on Racing TV: "He's in good form. I know everyone says he's older but of course he's older. He's had a very good preparation. This is soft but it's not a Sandown soft, there are so many different variations of soft ground, this is alright, it's wet. When you put a fence in front of him at home, he's as good as he ever was - he's off and gone and he comes up from crazy places. He probably has got older, wiser and more sensible. He's not as fast in his flat work as he was but he's been doing it for a long time now."
1353: We'll have some reaction to that performance shortly but it's swiftly on to Kempton and the mares' handicap hurdle. Emmpressive Lady is a worthy favourite, I like her but wouldn't want to back her at that price.
Alnadam struggled to reproduce Sandown form at this very different track yesterday and I wonder whether that could be the case again. There is support for Hotter Than Hell.
Appreciate It can be backed at prices between 3/1 and 6/1 for the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle with Ballyadam pushed out to 'only' 14/1. Appreciate It is also the 5/1 market leader for the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle. It's hard to argue too much with those prices.
Molly Olly's Wishes leads at Kempton, on the outside of Bannixtown Glory. Four to jump. Emmpressive Lady is third and Coded Message is also prominent but ridden to hold her place. Midnightreflection joins in but will she stay? In the straight. Molly Olly's Wishes (9/2) still leads but it's hard work. She extends again in the run to the last and has enough in hand to hold on.
Apparently, the stands' side rail is the place to be on the hurdles course according to Barney Clifford, Henderson and De Boinville - worth bearing in mind when reviewing the races.
1342: Appreciate It has been well supported for the upcoming Grade One and heads Ballyadam in the betting; it's 15/2 bar the pair but this field does have some depth.
Willie Mullins won four successive renewals before Abacadbras struck last year but those four were Long Dog, Whiskey Sour, Aramon and Saturnas and I couldn't immediately tell you what any of them went on to achieve, hopes will be high that Appreciate It will live longer in the memory. There will be a long run-in with the last hurdle again out of play due to the low sun.
A little surprisingly, Ballyadam is the 6/1 favourite for the Sky Bet Supreme and Appreciate 14/1.
They're off and Appreciate It is in the lead but only momentarily as Fire Attack goes on. The leader has gone on by a couple now and the pace has probably quickened a little. They're past halfway. Ballyadam still stalks Appreciate It as they shadow the leader, who will play their hand first? Appreciate It eases past the leader. Ballyadam is very disappointing and passed for second, he finishes fourth but they didn't see which way Appreciate It went.
1336: The juvenile hurdle at Wetherby probably won't be as exciting but they are racing and market leader Hacker des Places is the early leader.
Following on from this contest, we have the Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle which went the way of Abacadabras last season.
The conditions at Wetherby have just been described as 'filthy' by commentator Gareth Topham. Hacker des Places still leads from Caldwell, they've been one and two throughout and that's the way they finish with the favourite scoring by a wide margin. That's a nice result if you went long on distances as they've come home at long intervals.
1333: Nico de Boinville has been speaking to Matt Chapman: "We've gone a really good gallop in the first half. Then we've taken a pull round the bend and he's come back on the bridle in the straight on the better ground. He's done it as you would have wanted him.
"I love the way this horse is so quick over his fences, even when you have to go in tight, when you see a stride, he's rapid. I'm very happy, that's a nice Christmas present. Let's hope he keeps safe and well."
Quotes of 4/5, 8/11 and 4/6 for the Sporting Life Arkle and that is not a surprise.
We may have lost Chepstow and Limerick today but the racing is really delivering on all fronts.
1323: The runners are at the start for the Wayward Lad Novices' Chase.
Shishkin is currently 5/4 for the Sporting Life Arkle Challenge Trophy - will that soon be 4/6?
Gumball duly leads, Shishkin second. They've jumped three fences and all have taken them well. Five have gone now, turning right-handed on to the back straight. Gumball only leads narrowly, has he been given a breather? Shishkin is almost alongside. All four in contention, Tamaroc not as good as the others at the ditch. Shishkin gets in close at the next. Three to go and Shishkin goes on as Gumball makes a mistake and weakens tamely.
Whoosh. Shishkin wins as impressively as you could ask. I'm slightly surprised as to how easily he won that; I was expecting him to have to work harder. That really was fantastic, spine tingling even.
1317: Chacun Pour Soi brushed Notebook and Put The Kettle On aside there and he really impressed with his jumps at the last two fences; he is very much the one to beat in the Queen Mother Champion Chase and has been cut to around 2/1 from 11/4.
Could that price look big after Altior has run?
He has to wait a little for his response as it's the turn of stablemate Shishkin next for the 1320 which has been pushed back to 1325. Shishkin is 1/3 but I do think that Gumball is a fascinating and tough opponent. Once again, this promises to be a real spectacle as Richard Johnson and Gumball aren't likely to be taking any prisoners out there and the favourite's jumping will be tested.
It's far from a two horse - one horse? - race with both Tamaroc du Mathan and Elusive Belle having impressed on their respective chase debuts in handicaps.
1305: Nicky Henderson has been pleased with Shiskin's work but admits that he is apprehensive after yesterday. Epatante is 'a hundred per cent' as is Santini who satisfied his handler.
Both runners are still standing at Wetherby; favourite Remastered leads and wins easily.
They are at the start at Leopardstown and Notebook looks to be on his toes a little and ready for action. This should be exciting but sadly the sun is back out and it appears as though the fence in the straight, the last, will be omitted. They also may not jump the fence past the winning post on the first circuit.
Annamix leads from Put The Kettle On with Chacun and Notebook disputing third. All over the first. Only two lengths cover the first four. Chacun not brilliant at the third fence but no serious problems. He was better at the fourth. The fifth is a ditch and Annamix is scrappy and loses the lead to Chacun. Notebook matches him stride for stride. Put The Kettle On is third, two to jump. Chacun takes a length out of Notebook at the second last, impressive. Notebook is ridden. Chacun Pour Soi goes well, a long run for home but the odds-on favourite goes clear without being asked and this is very, very good.
That was a taking performance against two decent rivals and he's returned at 4/7.
1300: Two runner race time at Wetherby, Demachine is absent and goes later in the week at Newbury.
We are just a few minutes away from the Leopardstown Grade One feature though where Chacun Pour Soi gets the opportunity to win another top level contest and put down a marker for the Spring festivals. It's a fascinating race.
Put The Kettle On will presumably take them along with Notebook settling far better than has often been the case on his return, the absence of a crowd may well help him. Both horses usually jump brilliantly and neither will be easy for the favourite to pass.
1253: They have come home five seconds slower from three out than yesterday says Martin Dixon.
Apparently the winner has been quoted at 16/1 for the Triumph Hurdle which has nearly knocked me off my chair. I don't think I'd be interested in the winner at the moment even if there was a 0 on the end of it.
1242: Joint-favourites at Kempton with Heross Du Seuil and Her Indoors. Honneur d'Anjonc has attracted support.
Heross Du Seuil took Martin Dixon's eye when 'bouncing around' the paddock and Henderson has won this race with Bivouac and Charli Parcs but both were much shorter than this year's representative.
Cloud Thunder didn't take the left-hand turn at all and took Warranty out of the race as the pair crashed through the rail. It appears as though both jockeys and horses are okay. That was quite dramatic with Cloud Thunder essentially carrying straight on, back towards the stables and pre-saddling enclosure I think.
Honneur d'Anjonc is the new leader, just. Two to jump and the leader is jumping very well. Heross Du Seuil (3/1) is into second.
Honneur runs around a little bit on the wide open track but overjumps at the last leaving Heross alone in front; he didn't deserve that. The race was very much in the balance with the eventual winner far from certain to get the better of Honneur d'Anjonc who had held his rival all the way up the straight to the last.
1230: Happy Hollow takes the field along at Wetherby, they're just over a minute into the race.
Maninsane has been in relatively close attendance throughout but the whole field are reasonably tightly bunched. Leopardstown will go off soon after and Defi Bleu is favourite there with Klassical Dream a non-runner (lame).
Happy Hollow and Lunar Sovereign (15/2) open up a small gap. The latter goes on at the last and collects on his hurdling debut under Paddy Brennan.
Melon, Paloma Blue and Tycoon Prince are the previous winners of this beginners chase so it has, not surprisingly, proven to be a useful race. Defi Bleu shaped well in a race won by Blackbow on his first start over fences and I'd be hopeful that he could step up on that. Slight delay, not sure if they are going to doll off a fence or two in the straight (sunshine). The sun has gone behind a cloud and the last fence is in play. Not long now....
January Jets takes the field over the first, Soviet Pimpernel, who attracted support, was a little big and slow. Defi Bleu races in second with Jungle Junction third and they are quite well strung out. Only seven furlongs to race.
Four in it at the second last but Defi Bleu falls at that one and Soviet Pimpernel lost ground. January Jets (7/2) leads at the last where Jungle Junction fell when the nearest pursuer. Soviet Pimpernel, in the same colours, was second.
1221: There are three non-runners at Wetherby, including Gylo and Elysian Flame.
I didn't think that Let Me Entertain U ran too badly at Exeter last time and he is 3/1 from 5s but Maninsane has drifted to 11/8 from 11/10. Happy Hollow has also shortened up a little and has, at least, got experience of racing on heavy ground.
They're heading out onto the track.
Nuts Well is now a non-runner in the Castleford because of the ground which is a great shame.
If you were impressed by French Aseel, Betfair and Paddy Power are longest for the JCB Triumph Hurdle at 16/1 - he's as low as 8s.
A juvenile hurdle opens the card at Kempton and if anything is going to make an impact in the graded races in the spring then it's probably going to be either Siroco Jo or Heros Du Seuill, both French recruits at top yards, and the market very much suggests it will be the latter who is owned by Jo Donnelly of Shishkin fame.
1214: The winning margin was 22 lengths and the first quote that I've heard for the JCB Triumph Hurdle is 10/1. That's a great way to start the day, watching a potential top-notcher emerge.
1200: They are past halfway for the three mile handicap hurdle and a few of the field are crying enough, including Rollercoaster. The favourite is struggling and so is Dontdelay but Oliver's Island is in the lead where he is tackled by Sissinghurst. The latter may be just in front. Not much in it. Agony for Punting Pointers followers as a very tired Sissinghurst drifted across the track while Oliver's Island stayed on strongly to take the spoils at 9/2.
A very open market for the Paddy Power "Only 4 More Days Until 2021'" 3yo Maiden Hurdle which often has an impact on the JCB Triumph Hurdle - the betting suggests that may not be the case this season but it could still influence the Fred Winter. They won't be jumping the last hurdle (due to the sun) so it will be a long run-in. Ilmig has been well backed and is joint-favourite at 9/2.
Off and running and the pace looks fairly steady as Royal Marksman pulls his way into a clear lead. Six furlongs to go and just one to jump. The race could unfold quite quickly from here but Royal Marskman still leads. French Aseel leads and appears to be going well. This is impressive.
Well, well, well. The 7/2 favourite is trained by Ellemarie Holden, who enjoyed a winner at Lingfield (ridden by Hollie Doyle) the other day, and he came right away under Denis O'Regan without being asked to do very much. It will be very interesting to see what connections have to say.
Holden, of course, trained the useful Ex Patriot and this fellow, a maiden on the Flat in France, looks to be another very interesting recruit.
1150: They are in the paddock for the first at Wetherby and Espoir Moriviere is the favourite for trainer Rose Dobbin who saddled a couple of very well backed horses at the track yesterday; both ran well without winning.
It's very disappointing to see that Demachine has been taken out of the novices' chase later on the card (leaving just two runners) but I'm very much looking forward to seeing Nuts Well in the Castleford (a race with a great history, it used to be one of the Christmas highlights) but he's very easy to back so I'd better have a double check about ground preferences etc.
It's expected to be very testing at the track which won't come as a surprise to any.
1140: Martin Dixon believes the ground will be in Altior's favour today as the more testing conditions will help to bring his stamina into play. He rates Duc Des Genievres as the main rival and it will be fascinating to see if Paul Nicholls can bring about further improvement from his new recruit who surprised his handler at Cheltenham.
I'm surprised Sceau Royal is as short as he is for all that he has been in great form this season. I do like him but it's well established that he's short of top class and he's been well placed to pick up some nice prizes by his team. On the other hand, the limitations of Rouge Vif have yet to be established and I'm quite happy to put a line through his Sandown run where conditions were far too testing. The form of his stable remains a concern but Saint Calvados ran a huge race yesterday which is encouraging. I don't know if he's good enough to win but he's a tempting price.
There's been no money for Nube Negra but he's a fascinating runner and could be ridden to pick up the pieces in a race that promises to be run at a decent pace with the free-running Duc and Global Citizen in the line-up. Nube Negra got a positive mention in the Champion Chase ante-post angle which you can read via the image above.
1127: It is very much the calm after the storm across parts of the country and it looks to be a beautiful day at Kempton. There's still some time until we are underway there but it's less than half an hour until we have racing from Wetherby. There are a number of jockey changes at the Yorkshire track with several riders rerouting from Chepstow.
Sissinghurst is the first play for the Punting Pointers team in that race but I quite liked Dontdelay who was third in the race last year and represents a yard that had a winner at the track yesterday; he looks an each-way play.
Bookmaker representative Pat Cooney has just been talking on the telly and mentions Winner Takes Itall as his firm's best backed horse of the day outside the graded races.
1112: Gary O'Brien and Donn McClean are talking Leopardstown on Racing TV and the latter was perfectly happy with Chacun Pour Soi's winning reappearance, not thoughts shared by everyone.
Notebook was very impressive at this meeting last year and is two from two at the course. He won well on his return, banishing memories of his disappointing run in the Arkle and rates a live danger. Put The Kettle On did win the Arkle and got the better of Duc des Genievres - who takes on Altior today - on her return to Cheltenham but this will be her first appearance at Leopardstown.
Both presenters like Notebook with O'Brien declaring that he's 'very sweet' on the second favourite.
The second Grade One is the Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle and it's almost priced up as a match between Appreciate It and Ballyadam. I do like N'Golo but he was third behind Ballyadam last time when I though he looked like he needed a longer trip; he seems to have his supporters today with a stiffer track and potentially faster pace possibly in his favour. Appreciate It has only won a 'maiden hurdle' but the Champion Bumper second did it in style and is obviously a high class prospect. The horse that was second to him that day, Master McShee, runs in a handicap later on the card.
1102: The Leopardstown Christmas Festival is the gift that keeps giving with confirmation that tomorrow sees Abacadabras and Saint Roi renew rivalry. The latter will be hoping for a clearer run through the race than he 'enjoyed' the last day.
Monkfish will also be in action and the ante-post markets for the Cheltenham Festival may not change a huge amount (injuries and alternative engagements aside) between the end of this week and March.
Talking of Monkfish brings me back to today and Shishkin's run in the Wayward Lad Novices' Chase. He's already a best of 5/4 for the Sporting Life Arkle and could conceivably go odds-on with a convincing display at Kempton. This should be a reasonable test though with both Gumball and Tamaroc du Mathan in opposition.
Gumball may well have won at Cheltenham had he stood up and this track could play to his strengths while Tamaroc du Mathan impressed in a Wincanton handicap and had been due to take his chance in the Grade One Henry VIII Novices' Chase at Sandown.
1057: Thanks to a quick search and the Irish Times.
A Horse Racing Ireland statement explained it is “satisfied that the horse had arrived in Ireland in advance of our announcement on the travel of Irish and UK-trained horses between now and December 31st and has been attended by Irish-based staff only.”
The legendary owner has won this prestigious handicap on no fewer than nine occasions and runs five.
You'd want to be against him now wouldn't you? The price has gone and you've got a lot of horses on your side.
1046: Wolverhampton didn't get a huge amount of attention yesterday (and probably won't today, sorry) in this quarter but it's always interesting to see a newcomer punted and the support for Three Platoon is unequivocal.
There's more evidence for supporters of Amasova to get their teeth into and there have been some well backed winners emerging from trainer Terry Kent's stable and the betting at Dunstall Park looks quite lively this afternoon.
There's a JP McManus owned gamble in the Paddy Power Chase with Lock's Corner although I'm slightly puzzled to see that he's trained in Gloucestershire by Jonjo O'Neill given the travel restrictions in place. Presumably he'd have been taken out by now if he wasn't allowed to run and he is the 11/2 favourite from 10s.
The favourite for the Paddy Power 'Maybe I Like The Misery' Handicap Hurdle carries the same colours but the mover in that contest is the Willie Mullins trained Hybery who has been thereabouts on two of his three handicap starts.
1038: The layers seem very happy to take on Altior in the Desert Orchid Chase and he's a general 5/6 chance and Chacun Pour Soi is also a little uneasy but is still much shorter at a general 8/13.
He's taken on by Put The Kettle On, who was originally due to line up at Kempton, and her stablemate Notebook who was very good last time. I wouldn't be in a rush to take the odds-on about other main protagonist.
There were a few gambles landed yesterday with Mint Condition, Minx Tiara and Twotwothree providing plenty of Christmas cheer for their supporters and I expect there will be a punt or two in those valuable handicaps at Leopardstown.
1029: Yesterday saw surprise results in the Christmas Hurdle and the King George but both races were won by popular horses (and jockeys) which went a little way to alleviating the shock.
It will be interesting to see if anything comes to light but neither Nicky Henderson or Paul Nicholls were offering any physical excuses for the below par performances of their stars while it later transpired that Lostintranslation had bled.
Neither Altior nor Chacun Pour Soi have been that easy to get to the track in tip-top shape in recent times but both have undoubted star quality. Altior has, of course, seen it all before and the question for him is whether age has caught up whereas this will be just the 10th race of Chacun's career and he turns nine in a few days.
He is a dual Grade One winner despite suffering a shock defeat in last year's renewal of the Paddy's Rewards Club Chase but it would be brilliant to see him take on the best of the British in March or April as well.
1027: One thing that racing fans want to see is people getting out of the sport in one piece and, touch wood, that will be the case for David Crosse who, last evening, announced his retirement from the game.
1020: Catching up with the news and I see that the Chepstow card has already been rescheduled for January 9th, so that's excellent news.
Less positive is the abandonment of Leicester's card on Monday while Limerick's is subject to an inspection.
There was concern that we could lose the fixture at Wetherby too but fortunately that did pass a check although the last three fences on the York Road will be omitted.
1016: There are a few absentees (as well as the card at Chepstow) with Klassical Dream among those watching from the sidelines at Leopardstown while Manofthemountain is one of the better fancied runners to miss out at Kempton.
It's no great surprise after Storm Bella has played havoc with the underfoot conditions and a good bit more besides.
It's not exactly unchartered territory for Chepstow or the Welsh National and hopefully the race will be rearranged with the same protagonists in a few days' time; that's something that seems to have happened a lot over the last 12 months.
1012: Twinkle toed star performers took to the stage on the TV yesterday for the Royal Ballet All Star Gala and some twinkle toed equine stars will be expected to make the headlines this afternoon.
As things stand both Altior and Chacun Pour Soi - not to mention their supporting casts - will attempt to prove that they've got what it takes to win next year's Queen Mother Champion Chase.
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