14:30 Kempton
Thursday 26 December 2019
All12:5013:2013:5514:3015:0515:40
Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle (Grade 1)
- 4YO plus | Class 1 | 2m | Soft | 10 Runners | Turf | Weighed In
- Off time: 14:30 | Winning time: 3m 55.25s
T: N J HendersonJ: B J Geraghty
Held up in mid-division, smooth headway tracking leaders approaching 3 out, challenged on bit 2 out, led between last 2, quickened clear from last, impressive op 5/2 tchd 15/8
T: Evan WilliamsJ: Adam Wedge
Held up in mid-division on inside, headway chasing leaders when hit 3 out, went 2nd before next where dropped to 3rd, 2nd again before the last, no chance with winner op 10/1
T: N & W Twiston-DaviesJ: Sam Twiston-Davies
Led, went left 2nd, soon headed, chased leader, went left next, led on long run before 2 out, joined 2 out, headed between last 2, lost 2nd before the last, plugged on in 3rd
T: N J HendersonJ: J McGrath
Held up in last pair, headway on outside tracking leaders before 2 out, 4th and one pace from 2 out tchd 8/1
T: D SkeltonJ: Harry Skelton
Held up in last pair, pushed along in modest 5th before 2 out, mistake 2 out, never on terms op 17/2
T: F O'BrienJ: P J Brennan
Raced keenly, chased leaders on inside, weakened on long run before 2 out op 40/1 tchd 33/1
T: C L TizzardJ: R M Power
Chased leader, led after 2nd, headed on long run before 2 out, lost 2nd and weakened before 2 out op 12/1
Also Ran
T: C & D EustaceJ: J J Burke
Held up and always towards rear, weakened and behind 3 out, never involved, soon pulled up
T: N J HendersonJ: N de Boinville
Raced keenly, chased leaders, weakened after 3 out, behind and pulled up before 2 out op 5/2 tchd 11/4
T: P F NichollsJ: H Cobden
Held up in mid-division, headway chasing leaders before 4th, weakened after 3 out, behind and pulled up before 2 out op 14/1
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Betting Breakdown
Tote Win:£2.50Pl:£1.20, £2.80, £3.10EX:£24.50Trifecta:£223.00Tricast:£254.75SF:£28.26Swingers:£10.60, £6.90, £22.70
Forecasts
Epatante (2/1), Fusil Raffles (2/1), Verdana Blue (7/1), Ch'tibello (10/1), Silver Streak (11/1), Ballyandy (14/1), Elixir De Nutz (14/1), Getaway Trump (16/1), Big Blue (40/1), Quick Grabim (50/1)
Nicky Henderson has saddled the Christmas Hurdle winner on eight occasions, with Verdana Blue his most recent winner. Soft ground is a concern for last year's gritty victor, while stablemate Fusil Raffles was only workmanlike in the Elite Hurdle at Wincanton. Therefore, the progressive mare Epatante may prove strongest of the Henderson trio. Cheltenham's International Hurdle holds relevant clues with Ballyandy (second), Ch'tibello (third) and ELIXIR DE NUTZ (seventh) all recommencing battle. The speculative selection missed a tilt at the Supreme Novices' (lame) and unsurprisingly needed the run on seasonal reappearance. He deserves another chance.
- Elixir De Nutz
- Epatante
- Fusil Raffles
Previous Winners
Prize Money
1st: £74,035.002nd: £27,781.003rd: £13,910.004th: £6,929.005th: £3,484.006th: £1,742.00
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