KEMPTON
12:45 Ladbrokes Introductory Juvenile Hurdle – 2m
POSTMARK (8) tackles the jumps for the first time. Last raced when he finished tenth at Newcastle All Weather on September 15. Sure to make his presence felt. ARTISTIC CHOICE (1) is taking on the jumps for a second time after winning at his first attempt in a hurdle over 17f at Catterick four weeks ago when well in commission. Poses a major threat. CHARLES ST (3) made his debut over the jumps when returning from a spell last start. Met with strong market confidence on that occasion and finished second, beaten a head, in a hurdle over 2m at Warwick. Prior to that run the three-year-old had moved to the F M O’Brien yard. Worth plenty of thought.
13:20 Ladbrokes Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase – Grade 2 – 2m
BOOTHILL (2) is selected to return to winning ways following an 8L second in the G1 Henry VIII Novices’ Chase over 2m at Sandown. LAC DE CONSTANCE (4) won by 20L in a 2m 2f novice chase at this venue five weeks ago. Dangerous for a good stable. AUCUNRISQUE (1) registered a 2.3L second in a 2m novices’ handicap chase at Newbury. Enters calculations. GLORY AND FORTUNE (3) completes the field following an unseat in the G2 Arkle Challenge Trophy Trial Novices’ Chase over 15f at Cheltenham.
13:55 Ladbrokes’ Mares’ Handicap Hurdle – 3m
GET A TONIC (1) resumed after a 269-day spell last start with a strong second in a hurdle at Haydock Park. Strips fitter and is again a top chance. COQUELICOT (4) made it two jumps wins on the bounce when she scored by 1.75 lengths at Sandown Park in a hurdle last start. Has now won six races from 13 starts over the obstacles. Hard to knock and is expected to measure up again. I SPY A DIVA (6) is a fine jumper who has been relentless in recent runs. Followed a win over the obstacles two back at Taunton with further success in a novice hurdle at Taunton last time, getting home by a long neck. In form and can keep the ball rolling. GLIMPSE OF GALA (3) filled a minor prize two back in a hurdle at Aintree then again ran a good race to finish second last time out, beaten 3.5 lengths, in a 3m hurdle at Ascot. Leading contender again.
14:30 Ladbrokes Desert Orchid Chase – Grade 2 – 2m
EDWARDSTONE (1) returned from a spell with a dominant 9 lengths win in a 2m chase at Sandown Park last start. Normally hard to beat with the run under the belt, with two wins and one placings from four second-up runs. Leading contender. NUBE NEGRA (4) made a winning return from a 247-day layoff last time out at Cheltenham in a 2m chase, partnered by today’s rider Harry Skelton. Key runner – don’t underestimate. FUNAMBULE SIVOLA (2) is looking to improve on a last-start sixth in the 4yo+ CHSE (C1) over 2m at Sandown Park on December 3. Will be hard to beat stepping back in grade. EDITEUR DU GITE (7) resumes from another spell. Started just once last campaign, placing over 2m in a steeplechase at Cheltenham. Sure to make his presence felt.
15:09 Ladbrokes Handicap Chase – 3m
REMASTERED (1) has been going well. Clocked-in second last time out in a chase at Newbury after he scored in a hurdle at Aintree over 3m 2f the run before. Can bounce back to winning ways. YOUR DARLING (10) returned from a 269-day spell last start with a win in a 2m 5f steeplechase at Ascot, with today’s rider Kielan Woods aboard. Has ability and can play a role again. FONTAINE COLLONGES (6) resumed after a 339-day spell last start with a strong win in a steeplechase at Haydock Park and will come on from that run and is worth considering. LARRY (7) was far too good when resuming from a 284-day layoff last start, scoring by 6 lengths at Ascot in a valuable chase. Will come on from that run and is worth considering in the thrilling contest
CHEPSTOW
13:05 Coral Handicap Chase – 2m 3f
RED ROOKIE (6) resuming after a lengthy spell. Raced just the once last campaign but came to grief in a chase at Cheltenham. Fresh up record is strong. Well placed and expected to be tough to beat. ENZO D’AIRY (11) wasn’t fancied but returned from a 676-day spell on December 3 with a strong win in a steeplechase at this track, scoring by half a length. Will strip fitter and makes plenty of appeal. FUGITIF (9) wasn’t far away when resuming from a 263-day layoff the last start, beaten 1.5 lengths into second at Cheltenham in a 2m chase. Will come on from that run and is worth considering at the prices. PHOENIX WAY (3) resuming after a lengthy spell. Raced just the once last preparation but was pulled up in a chase at Punchestown recently, sure to make his presence felt in this company.
13:40 Coral Finale Hurdle – Grade 2 – 2m
COMFORT ZONE (3) looking to go a couple better after filling a minor placing in the 3yo JHDLE (C1) over 15f at Fairyhouse last time out on December 4. Finds a nice race and is the one to beat. SCRIPTWRITER (2) last appeared when he took out the 3yo JHDLE (C1) over 2m at Cheltenham on November 12 scoring by 2.25 lengths. Capable of taking this out. PERSEUS WAY (7) did well to clock-in second two back in a hurdle at Cheltenham then improved sharply to chalk-up a big win in a hurdle at Leicester 30 days ago, arriving 24 lengths ahead of his rivals. Big chance again. DIXON COVE (10) genuine threat
14:10 Coral Handicap Hurdle – 2m 7 1/2f
GREEN BOOK (2) genuine jumper with two victories to his name from nine appearances. Makes plenty of appeal. FLEMENSTIDE (7) returns after a spell of 10 months. Opened the last campaign with a win in a novice hurdle at Ascot by 3 lengths, adding to a sound overall first-up record. Presents a danger to the top hopes. JUST A DIME (8) returned from a 290-day spell last start with a solid second in a novice hurdle at Carlisle, with today’s rider Mr B R Jones piloting. Expecting further improvement. SABRINA (10) did a good job to finish second two back in a hurdle at Wincanton then improved sharply to register a big win in a novice hurdle at Exeter 37 days ago, arriving 16 lengths ahead of her rivals. Hard to leave out.
14:50 Coral Welsh Grand National – Handicap Chase – 3m 6 1/2fThe big race today is the Welsh National. QUICK WAVE (4) closed last prep with a win in a chase at Ludlow. Picked up where she left off the last start and again got the job done, scoring by 4 lengths in a chase at Sandown Park. Racing in great heart and is the one they must overcome. THE BIG DOG (1) is unbeaten this campaign, winning a chase at Limerick when resuming then franking that form last time when he got the job done by 3.5 lengths in a steeplechase at Navan over 3m. In fine form and not to be underestimated. THE GALLOPING BEAR (8) resumed after a 310-day spell with a minor placing in a hurdle at Carlisle last start, ridden by today’s rider Mr B R Jones. Normally hard to beat with the run under the belt, with three wins from four second-up runs. Expecting further improvement. ASK MEEARLY (10) made a strong return from a 310-day layoff last time out at Bangor-On-Dee in a chase, finishing third when partnered by today’s rider Sean Bowen. Normally hard to beat with the run under the belt, with two wins and zero placings from two second-up runs, but this is no ordinary race.
