Tuesday Talking Points: Rickard Mann looks ahead to the day's action
Richard Mann looks to Fakenham for possible Cheltenham Festival clues while Lingfield stages some strong all-weather fare.
Cheltenham pointers
A Tuesday December afternoon at Fakenham wouldn't usually be a haven of Cheltenham Festival clues but the Fakenham Juvenile Hurdle (2.10) could give a timely boost to the Elysees, currently a 40/1 chance for next year's Triumph Hurdle.
Alan King's Flat recruit has looked a different proposition since sent hurdling, finishing a promising third at Chepstow before registering victories at Warwick and Ludlow.
His Warwick success was particularly impressive, overcoming a mid-race flat spot before powering clear to win by 12 lengths.
Elysees followed up at Ludlow only six days later but he was made to work much harder on that occasion, looking held until grasping victory from the jaws of defeat with a late surge that saw him get his head in front in the shadows of the post.
King is no stranger to enjoying Triumph Hurdle success having saddled Penzance to victory in 2005 and subsequent Champion Hurdle hero Katchit two years later in 2007.
Only he will know how Elysees stacks up against those former stable stars but victory at Fakenham for Some For Someone - the horse that pushed Elysees so close at Ludlow - would make those at Barbury Castle feel a little warmer as we head into the depths of winter.
Some For Someone was making his UK debut at Ludlow, posting an excellent effort for trainer Tom Symonds and in truth, he looks to have to have well placed to go one better on this occasion.
Should he win, and win well, Elysees might well see his Triumph Hurdle odds contract just a little.
Antepost vouchers at the ready...
Don't forget the Flat!
The jumps season really is in full swing now with the recent rain finally allowing the National Hunt big guns to flex their muscles.
With Apple's Jade and Buveur D'Air starring at the weekend, the recent Flat campaign seems a distant memory.
Please tell me we haven't forgotten Stradivarius already? Alpha Centauri anyone? Roaring Lion?
Fear not Flat lovers, the current all-weather season continues to provide its regular dose of entertainment and some of the quality is a marked improvement from where we were just a few years back.
The Newmarket stables continue to hunt out the novice and maiden races at tracks such as Kempton and Newcastle - John Gosden and Charlie Applebly in particular - while some of the handicaps provide decent prize money and competitive action.
Tuesday's card at Lingfield is another example of that with the Betway Heed Your Hunch Handicap offering £12,602 to the winner of the 5f sprint.
Top-weight Corinthia Knight ran at the 2017 Breeders' Cup and looks a worthy favourite on the back of a solid showing over 6f at the track last time.
A speedy sort who likes to lead, he looks tailor-made for the minimum distance around this sharp track and could take some pegging back for impressive young trainer Archie Watson.
Half an hour earlier, there is another fair prize on offer in the #betyourway At Betway Handicap.
Godolphin are represented by Glassy Waters here, a late-maturing four-year-old who finished strongly to win at Kempton last time.
He should have plenty more to offer and victory in this event might go some way to booking his place at the Dubai Carnival in the new year.
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