Wednesday 27th December 2023
Author: Jordan Yates (EvRacing_)
Welcome aboard to another Christmas Racing Preview where the focus turns to Chepstow, Kempton, and Leopardstown, where the feature race of the day is the Welsh Grand National. As ever, I’ll have several selections throughout the afternoon, so make sure to gamble responsibly if you are punting.
1.10 Leopardstown: Paddy’s Rewards Club Chase: I’ll kick things off with the 1.10 at Leopardstown which is the Grade 1 Paddy’s Reward Club Chase over two miles and a furlong. I think it’s hard to see past Captain Guinness here who heads affairs for Henry De Bromhead and Rachael Blackmore. He’s a very likable performer who won impressively on his seasonal reappearance at Navan last month, when bolting up by seven lengths within Grade 2 company. If turning up in the same form he’ll be tough to beat – Captain Guinness – 5/4F (Win)
1.45 Leopardstown: Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle: Next up for me is the 1.45 at Leopardstown which is more Grade 1 action in the Future Champions Novice Hurdle. I’m siding with Daddy Long Legs here for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend, who’s currently the second favourite in the betting behind Down Memory Lane. The favourite deserves his place at the top of the betting, however, I think the Mullins charge looked exciting on hurdles debut, where he showed an impressive turn of foot to win by thirteen lengths. If progressing again from that run he’s got every chance of going very close here. Daddy Long Legs – 15/8F (Win)
2.30 Kempton: Ladbrokes Desert Orchid Handicap Chase: We move over to Kempton now for the 2.30 which is the Grade Desert Orchid Handicap Chase. I’ve sided with Boothill here who arrives into the race in great form for Harry Fry and Jonathan Burke. He’s won both of his starts this season, with each success coming within competitive handicaps. He is moving up in the weights, however, I think he could well still have more to offer and could prove tough to beat once again. Boothill – 2/1F (Win)
2.50 Chepstow: Welsh Grand National: The Welsh Grand National comes up at 2.50 at Chepstow and in this year’s renewal of the 3 mile and six and half furlong marathon I’m siding with The Big Breakaway for the team of Joe Tizzard and Adam Wedge. He’s been a difficult horse to get right over the years, however, he ran one of his best races to date when finishing second in this contest last year. He clearly didn’t like the Grand National fences at Aintree last time, but I have always believed he’ll be seen to best effect over marathon trips. I think he’s got every chance off a pound-lower mark than last year. The Big Breakaway – 12/1 (Each-Way)
3.00 Leopardstown: Paddy Power Chase: From one extremely competitive handicap to another, we go to Leopardstown at 3.00 for the Paddy Power Chase over three miles and half of a furlong. I’m taking a chance on Amirite here for Henry De Bromnhead and Rachael Blackmore. He posted a solid effort on his seasonal reappearance at Cheltenham last month when finishing fourth of thirteen, in what was another competitive field. He’s clearly always been held in high regard and even went off joint-favourite for the Irish Grand National last year. I don’t think we’ve seen the best of him yet, and if building on that Cheltenham run he could have a big say. Amirite – 12/1 (Each-Way)
3.09 Kempton: Ladbrokes Get Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap Chase: Concluding my selections for the afternoon will be the 3.09 at Kempton which is more handicap action, this time over three miles. I think that this can go to Tea Clipper for Tom Lacey and Stan Sheppard who’s currently a 9/4 chance in the betting. He ran his best race for a while last time out at Ascot when finishing just over a length behind Hold That Taught, and he should have a very solid chance of going well again here off just a pound higher mark. Tea Clipper – 9/4F (Win)
