Thursday 26th December 2024
1.05 Aintree: William Hill Formby Novices’ Hurdle: I’m kicking things off on Boxing Day at Aintree with the 1.05 which is the Grade 1 Formby Novices’ Hurdle over two miles and a furlong. This is a fantastic renewal with a whole host of exciting prospects currently set to line up. I’m going with Roadlesstravelled though for Jonjo & A J O’Neil who’s set to be ridden by Jonjo Jr. He won a Grade 2 at Haydock on his most recent outing when beating Country Mile, who’s since come out and bolted up at Cheltenham and the two will face off again here. I think the O’Neil charge looks a very nice prospect though and I think that Haydock success is the best form on offer here. Roadlesstravelled – 11/2 (Each-Way)
1.10 Leopardstown: O’Driscolls Irish Whiskey Juvenile Hurdle: It’s over to Leopardstown now for the 1.10 and this is the Grade 2 Juvenile Hurdle that’s ridden over two miles. I’m strong on the chances of Willy De Houelle here for the combination of Willie & Danny Mullins. He’s a very highly-regarded French recruit who was surprisingly beaten on his stable debut last time out by Naturally Nimble who he’ll reoppose here. I don’t actually think that run was as bad as some were making out, the race wasn’t run to suit and he was returning from back within Grade 3 company. He should be a lot sharper here and I think we’ll see a much improved showing. Willy De Houelle – 6/4 (Win) (NAP)
1.35 Wetherby: William Hill Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase: My third selection of the day comes from Wetherby and within the 1.35 which is the Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase, a Premier Handicap over three miles. I like Cruz Control here for the team of Tom Lacey and Stan Sheppard. He was a highly progressive chaser last season, winning a Grade 3 handicap at Aintree in the Spring before signing off his season when finishing fourth at Punchestown within Listed company. He had a spin over hurdles back in October to blow the cobwebs away and I think he’ll be primed for a bid in this. A bold showing would be no surprise for me. Cruz Control – 11/4 (Win) (NB)
1.40 Aintree: William Hill Offers Top Price Guarantees Handicap Hurdle: Next up for me is the 1.40 at Aintree and this is Class 2 handicap hurdle action over two miles and four furlongs. I’m with Florida Dreams in this particular affair for Nicky Richards and Danny McMenamin who’s currently trading at a best price of 10/3. He returned to the track with a win at Hexham back in October and followed up at Cheltenham in November when finishing fifth of eleven in the Greatwood Hurdle. He won the Grade 2 bumper here at the Grand National Meeting back in 2023 and I think that this step up in trip will see him to best effect. Florida Dreams – 10/3 (Win)
1.45 Leopardstown: Dornan Careers Novice Handicap Hurdle: It’s back over to Ireland now for me and the 1.45 at Leopardstown which is a handicap hurdle that’s contested over two miles. I like Lygon Lad in this who represents Gordon Elliott and Sam Ewing. He progressed markedly on his handicap debut at Navan earlier this month when finishing second of thirteen behind a progressive type in Brave Troop. He’s only been raised a pound in the weights for that effort and further progression here looks highly likely. This is far from the strongest of handicaps over the Christmas period and I think he can have a big say for his powerhouse yard. Lygon Lad – 6/1 (Each-Way)
2.30 Kempton: Ladbrokes King George VI Chase: My concluding selection on the day comes in the big one and that’s the Grade 1 King George VI Chase over three miles. In this year’s renewal of the Christmas showpiece, I’m going with an Irish challenger in Banbridge for Joseph O’Brien who’s set to be ridden by Paul Townend. He was unlucky on his most recent outing when unseating at the last in the Grade 2 Hillway Chase at Cork as he still had every chance against Energumene who he was giving ten pounds too. The ground should suit him here and I think he’ll get the distance having had form over two miles and five furlongs in the past. The jockey booking is another huge plus and I’m hoping he’s the one who ends my poor record of punting in the race. Banbridge – 5/1 (Each-Way)
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