KEMPTON PARK RACECOURSE BOXING DAY 'KING GEORGE VI' MEETING 2017

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL

The year feels like it's flown by once again and here we are looking at the end of December with our season on the flat already finished at Kempton but we return over the jumps for one more big meeting. So on Boxing Day the NH meeting at Kempton Park will be our final event till next year comes around and it of course will feature King George VI Chase. 

Will Thistlecrack be able to return and repeat his win of last year, and will we see another star in the making and will the Irish trainers send over anything special to take on the home team or keep them safe across the Irish Sea and leave it till Cheltenham. I do remember when the best of the French chasers came over but that seems to have stopped now too. There are of course plenty of supporting events including the Feltham Novices Chase won last year by Royal Vacation and the Grade 1 Christmas Hurdle which was won by Yanworth before he disappointed in the Champion Hurdle.

We will have a six race card on Tuesday, plenty of quality events leading up to the King George VI itself at 3:05pm. 

Here are our thoughts and selections for the rest of the card;


12:45  32Red Casino Novices' Hurdle (Class 2) 
2m [8 Runners]

We kick off the Boxing day meeting with a decent novice hurdle, although just the eight runners declared over the weekend we can some good competition with the major yards represented as expected.

The top two look likely to fight it out but seem too short for this event so will pass over both IF THE CAP FITS, and DIESE DES BIEFFES and will take them on with the inform Dan Skelton trained SOLOMON GREY [3rd 7/1] for who Harry Skelton rides.

13:20  32Red.com Chase (Novices' Limited Handicap) (Class 3) 
2m 4f 110y, 9 Runners.

Paul Nicholls has TOUCH KICK [3rd 15/2] here who recently won a Novice Chase at Sandown and although rated a few pounds lower than some of the principles should have more to come from such a strong yard. 

As an outsider to consider, certainly for the place market, is BAD BOY DU POULDU [Pulled Up] who gets all the weight concessions here and has Bryony Frost in the saddle. 


13:55  32Red Kauto Star Novices' Chase (Grade 1) (Class 1)
3m, 7 Runners

Formally known as the FELTHAM NOVICE CHASE this is now the Kauto Star Chase which loses a little of it's charm for me personally. Just the seven line up here, where BLACK CORTON [WON 4/1] will be popular with only the one defeat (last time out) but a string of wins prior to that. Also WEST APPROACH [3rd 11/1] for Colin Tizzard and Tom Scudamore at a meeting they tend to do well at.

14:30  Unibet Christmas Hurdle (Grade 1) (Class 1)
2m, 5 Runners

Another Grade 1 but another small field with the Irish challenge remaining at home and not a lot of depth now in the Champion Hurdle fair we have just the five runners. 

Current Champion BUVEUR D'AIR [WON 2/11] will be a short price today to win again and while The New One and Old Guard are ok they don't likely to trouble the Henderson horse today. A race to watch and enjoy really with the likely next stop for the winner the Champion Hurdle again.

15:05  32Red King George VI Chase (Grade 1) (Class 1)
3m, 8 Runners

We have an exciting renewal for this years King George VI chase, a field of eight and 3 miles the trip, 18 fences to tackle and most of these have been here before with last years winner THISTLECRACK still on the comeback trail but good enough if fit enough and BRISTOL DE MAI a wide margin winner of the Betfair Chase also of interest.

At a big price is TEA FOR TWO [3rd 20/1] who has won around here under Lizzie Kelly and might be able to take a place if any of the principles fails to shine (or falls). 

15:40  32Red Download The App Handicap Hurdle (Class 3)
2m 5f,  15 Runners

The only race with a decent field and fifteen line up for the concluding hurdle with DASHING OSCAR [12th 15/2] a strong fancy for this for trainer Harry Fry. Also of interest is TAKE TO HEART [Non Runner] who runs in the colours of Her Majesty The Queen who doesn't have that many NH horses so must be worth a second look here today.

Enjoy your Boxing Day and all the best for the end of the year for those of you disappointed that we didn't have a White Christmas here's what it would have looked like.

We'll be back with a new season in January 2018. 

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY. X

So that's nearly it for another year, I want to send out some festive wishes to everyone, have a very Merry Christmas may you enjoy a wonderful time with family, friends and loved ones. Try not to argue, say hello to your neighbours ...  then eat, drink and ... well actually that'll do it for me. Personally I'll be having a nice quiet one at home alone, treating it as another "Sunday" so having a lovely lazy day, do dinner at the Queen has been on and settle down with a fun film perhaps. 

Got myself a nice bottle of Highland Park Whisky, which was one Dad enjoyed, so I shall be raising a glass to all those no longer with us, Mum, Dad, friends and family. Will have a look at the Kempton Park races for Boxing Day which includes the King George VI chase and there's a feast of football later this week. 

But for Xmas Day, before the eating and drinking gets out of control will just be putting on some music and enjoying the day. 

KEMPTON PARK RACES 2017 -- WEDNESDAY NIGHTS #35 20th DECEMBER

Welcome to meeting number thirty five of 2017 here at Kempton Park and our FINAL Flat card for the year with only the NH Boxing Day King George fixture to come next week. Sadly had another bad week last time out losing another 7 points thus we enter the last meetings with a loss of -79.17 points to level stakes at starting price (SP). We will continue to see out December for this year long blog and whatever happens we will reset on January 1st and go again in 2018. 

As we continue to focus on the handicap contests for each meeting we will also occasionally include a feature listed or conditions event too. Keeping records of our endeavours to a 1pt level stake at SP, naturally we will personally be looking to get better odds but for the purpose of these results here we simply record to SP returns.

We will keep up with our occasional lay opportunities of short priced favourites too, our last two selections both won which was disappointing but when we keep laying short price favs to lose they going to win now and again, our year long results are now 18 from 28. The selections are all usually short price favs and we will see if there is another one or two selections for tonight. Naturally we will keep these results separately from the handicap figures. 

This Wednesday is meeting number thirty five for the 2017 season and we are expecting an eight race card tonight with four handicaps to enjoy, tonight's action will commence at 16:10 with the 6f Maiden Stakes.
 

Here's a link to this Wednesday's race card; RACECARD

The going on the polytrack surface is described as 'standard' and the current weather forecast is for a cold cloudy winters day the top temperature will only be about 11C by the time the meeting gets underway.

Our eight race card tonight now has four handicap contests for us to review, there might even be a lay bet but that will be updated later;

18:10 -- 1m Handicap.
The first of our handicaps tonight is a mile race with fourteen declared, we will side with a pair of big price options here first of all CHESTNUT FIRE [2nd 10/1] who won over in Ireland 10lb lower than that last win, and MEDICEAN EL DIABLO [13th 15/2] a course and distance winner just 2 runs ago.

18:40 -- 6f Fillies Handicap.
Fillies handicap next for us, there's a field of eight here, and will certainly take Josephine Gordon on side with PRETTY BUBBLES [2nd 11/2] despite top weight. 

TOOLATETODELEGATE [3rd 8/1] could be interesting in a small field regularly placed off this sort of mark, might be able to find a little more if Hollie Doyle can work some magic.

19:10 -- 7f Fillies Handicap.
More ladies over 7f here, not a race to get too deeply involved so we will just be taking a chance on the bottom pair ROBBIE ROO ROO [Non Runner] and LOVEATFIRSTSIGHT [6th 10/1] who are both course and distance winners and could surprise at a decent price which I admit would be a nice result.

19:40 -- 1m 7f 218y Handicap.
Our finale for the stayers has attracted a maximum field of 14 tonight, where we stick with the ladies and first of all filly NAVAJO STAR [10th 12/1] who is a winner around Newcastle and Chelmsford already this year, then together with DING DING [9th 5/1] who makes occasional appearances on the flat and goes hurdling this summer but is relatively young at six for the NH game and could be interesting too off a low weight was 2nd recently around Lingfield and not without a chance .

Staked -- 8 points.
Returns -- 1 points.

Results will appear later tonight. Currently we have amassed a deficit of -79.17 points that we bring forward to this round of racing, too many places not enough winners and only the lays going well so we will have to see what the end of the year brings us.

LAYS -- After our last pair of selected favourites both won (booo) we now stand at 18 from 28 for this season, so will try to get a few more favourites beaten tonight and round the season off then reset and go again in 2018. Now up to 20 from 30 for the year after tonight's pair both got beat.

If we have one or two Lays tonight they will be updated here.
Tonight's Lays;
MOON SONG - 16:10 [LOST 6th 12/1 ... it was forecast 6/4F when I published this.]
ROYAL RESIDENCE - 16:40 [LOST 4th 9/4F].

Our next meeting here at Kempton Park will be the Boxing Day King George meeting on Tuesday 26th December.

KEMPTON PARK RACES 2017 -- WEDNESDAY NIGHTS #34 13th DECEMBER

Welcome to meeting number thirty four of 2017 here at Kempton Park and we stopped the losing run last time out although it was only a break even but never mind. We still enter the last few meetings with a loss of -72.17 points to level stakes at starting price (SP). We will continue to see out December for this year long blog and whatever happens we will reset on January 1st and go again in 2018. 

As we continue to focus on the handicap contests for each meeting we will also occasionally include a feature listed or conditions event too. Keeping records of our endeavours to a 1pt level stake at SP, naturally we will personally be looking to get better odds but for the purpose of these results here we simply record to SP returns.

We will keep up with our occasional lay opportunities of short priced favourites too, our last two selections ended in a defeat so we were able to improve our year long results to 18 from 26. The selections are all usually short price favs and we will see if there is another selection for tonight. Naturally we will keep these results separately from the handicap figures. 

This Wednesday is meeting number thirty four for the 2017 season and we are expecting an eight race card tonight with three handicaps to enjoy, tonight's action will commence at 15:40 with the 6f Novice Stakes.
 

Here's a link to this Wednesday's race card; RACECARD

The going on the polytrack surface is described as 'standard' and the current weather forecast is for a cold cloudy winters day with good chance of rain too and the top temperature will only be about 8C by the time the meeting gets underway.

Our eight race card tonight now has three handicap contests for us and we will also include the Nursery event at 16:10 to review, there might even be a lay bet but that will be updated later;

16:10 -- 7f Nursery Handicap (2yo).
A field of eleven two year olds appear for this end of year nursery contest, not much winning form here though BOOMERANG BETTY [9th 20/1] did pick up her debut maiden win and might appreciate a return to these conditions which John Gosden's BEAUTIFUL ARTIST [4th 11/1] should find this an easier opportunity tonight and from a strong yard is also considered in a wide open affair.

18:10 -- 7f Handicap (3yo).
Plenty in with chances especially several with last time out runners up form that suggests they might be ready to go one further before the year is out. So pair up DESERT FOX [11th 7/2] and VIXEN [6th 13/2] tonight against the field, the latter having won at Salisbury in the summer should be suited to the AW sired by Kodiac who himself has been fairly prolific in UK and Ireland.

18:40 -- 1m 7f 218y Handicap.
We've a field of eleven now for the stayers event tonight, and not a race to get over enthused about but the likes of POYLE THOMAS [8th 7/1] plus DESERT GOD [6th 6/1] are two stayers with different profiles, the former is proven at the trip, and although getting older has won at a much higher level than this. Desert God has not had as many chances, seems to stay and the hope is that the AW is more suitable than the soft/heavy ground at Ffos Las.

19:10 -- 1m 2f 219y Handicap.
Our finale has a maximum field of 14 and some here with hurdling form maybe having a run in advance of a winter NH campaign. I like the looks of ECHO BRAVA [Non Runner] who has won around Epsom on flat and looks ready to go was also placed over hurdles at Newton Abbot so seems in good order. 

Will also look at BERRAHRI [3rd 11/1] who is close to his winning mark from the summer has had plenty of racing but that includes AW form here and at Lingfield, worth a look at a large price.


Staked -- 8 points.
Returns -- 1 points.

Results will appear later tonight. Currently we have amassed a deficit of -72.17 points that we bring forward to this round of racing, too many places not enough winners and only the lays going well so we will have to see what the end of the year brings us.

LAYS -- After our last pair of selected favourites both got beaten we now stand at 18 from 26 for this season, so will try to get a few more favourites beaten before the end of the year.

If we have one or two Lays tonight they will be updated here.
Tonight's Lays;
15:40 - MONADEE - Bum, WON 5/2!
17:10 - HIGHBROW - Arggghhh, WON 8/11.

Our next meeting here at Kempton Park will be in a couple of weeks time on Wednesday 20th December.

FA CUP 2017 THIRD ROUND DRAW [BBC 2 7pm]

On Monday night we will have the draw for the 3rd Round of this seasons FA Cup. This is traditionally a highlight of the cup season where the minnows still left in can dream of a tie against the big boys. Thankfully the Dons are in tonight's draw again this season after a wonderful 3-1 home win on Sunday against Charlton Athletic and we now not only hope for a lucrative money spinning tie but need to avoid another embarrassing result like last years defeat to Sutton United.

We will update here on Monday night with the details of the 3rd round draw while it's being made which will begin shortly after 7pm and is Live on the BBC, Mark Chapman hosting. Former players (and former England Manager) Glenn Hoddle and Jermaine Jenas will be on hand to perform the draw out of the 'hat' - yes I know it's a steel drum now, but that doesn't sound as evocative does it. 

Good luck to the four non-league sides still in the competition, assuming they can get through their respective replays - AFC Fylde (No. 59), Hereford (63), Slough (52) and Woking (45). 

AFC Wimbledon have been allocated ball number 53.

FA Cup Third Round Draw

     Ipswich Town  v  Sheffield United

     Watford  v  Bristol City

     Birmingham City  v  Burton Albion

     Liverpool  v  Everton

     Brighton   v  Crystal Palace

     Aston Villa  v  Woking / Peterborough

     Bournemouth  v  AFC Fylde / Wigan Athletic

     Coventry City  v  Stoke City

     Newport County  v  Leeds United

     Bolton Wanderers  v  Huddersfield Town

     Port Vale / Yeovil  v  Bradford City

     Nottingham Forrest  v  Arsenal

     Brentford  v  Notts County     

     QPR  v  MK Franchise

     Manchester United  v  Derby County

     Forest Green Rovers / Exeter  v  West Bromwich Albion

     Doncaster Rovers  v  Rochdale

     Tottenham Hotspur  v  AFC Wimbledon

     Middlesboro  v  Sunderland

     Fleetwood Town / Hereford  v  Leicester

     Blackburn Rovers / Crewe  v  Hull City

     Cardiff City  v  Mansfield Town

     Manchester City  v  Burnley

     Shrewsbury Town  v  West Ham United

     Wolverhampton Wanderers  v  Swansea City

     Stevenage  v  Reading

     Newcastle United  v  Luton Town

     Millwall  v  Barnsley

     Fulham  v  Southampton

     Wycombe Wanderers  v  Preston North End

     Norwich City  v  Chelsea

     Gillingham / Carlisle United  v  Sheffield Wednesday

Ties to be played over the weekend of 5th - 8th January.

Reaction;

Wow, we're going to Wembley again. An away draw against Tottenham, a full house of up to 90,000 will help with the funds and surely a TV game alongside the Merseyside derby of course (though we all know that Man Utd are always the TV pick). Unbelievable it's NOT on TV and neither are Manchester United, we've been moved to Sunday afternoon though.  

FA CUP 2ND ROUND -- WIMBLEDON vs CHARLTON ATHLETIC SUNDAY 3rd DECEMBER 2017

It's FA CUP Second round weekend and the draw has given us a home tie and a London Derby against fellow League One side CHARLTON ATHLETIC. The game has been moved back to Sunday afternoon and will be one of several games covered by BBC with live reports. 

Will be tricky task to reach round three this season as we're playing a side in the top six of the division and they've also recently beaten us 1-0 last month at The Valley. While our form has been very "in and out" it's been a while since we've been well beaten and anything is possible in a one off game. Tickets selling well despite the change of kick off time and the dismal weather forecast, but if we can manage this a possible lucrative third round tie can be looked forward to.

FORM GUIDE 
(Last 6 matches in their respective leagues, starting with most recent)
AFC Wimbledon -- LDWDLL
Charlton Athletic -- DLWDWW





LAST TIME OUT
AFC Wimbledon 1 Walsall 2

Charlton Athletic 2  Peterborough 2

The Dons come into this important FA Cup game on the back of recent defeat to Walsall and a goalless draw at Oldham, and clearly the problem is still one of scoring goals although we are not yet being smashed every week it is beginning to feel like it. Charlton will fancy this after their recent victory and their draw midweek against Peterborough where two goals in injury time now sees them in 6th place. Can Neal Ardley get the players fired up, can we at least have some shots on goal because without that we really are in for a long season and a cup run would be a welcome distraction to our current plight at the wrong end of the League One table. 

Updates will be published with team news and more news as and when it comes through. 

Line Ups (Confirmed);

AFC WIMBLEDON

Odds -- 8/5 (William Hill) 

Long (GK),  Fuller (c), Meades,  Oshilaja,  Charles,  Barcham,  Trotter,  Soares,  Forrester,  McDonald,  Taylor

Subs – McDonnell (Gk),  Nightingale,  Robinson,  Francomb,  Abdou,  Kaja,  Kennedy

CHARLTON ATHLETIC

Odds -- 7/5 (William Hill) 

Amos (Gk),  Dijksteel,  Konsa,  Sarr,  Dasilva,  Forster-Caskey,  Aribo,  Marshall,  Ahearne-Grant,  Holmes,  Magennis  

Subs – Phillips (Gk),  Jackson,  Best,  Dodoo,  Lennon,  Hackett-Fairchild

H/T Score – 1 - 1

First Half Comment;
Few mins late kicking off as Charlton delayed on route, but no delay in the action as AFC Wimbledon take an early lead on 10 mins after a bit of a scramble in the Charlton box, Cody McDonald firing home from close range. Great start, certainly warmed up the crowd too. Few more chances in an open and fairly even game but disappointed that Charlton able to level it up on 22 mins when Karlan Ahearne-Grant finished from close range and we are game on here at Kingsmeadow. Lyle Taylor drew a good save from keeper Amos but the half ends all square.

F/T Score – 3 - 1

Match Summary;
Charlton start the second half on the front foot and causing problems for the Dons defence who are rescued a few times by keeper Long to keep the score 1-1 for now. The happily it was time for the Dons to take over and put the game to bed, a great run down the wing by McDonald who despite being fouled managed to cross to Lyle Taylor who slotted home for 2-1 with 20 mins to play, and that was soon 3-1 after a foul on Andy Barcham in the area and Taylor put away the penalty sending the keeper the wrong way. All Dons now and we'll be hopeful of a lucrative draw in the 3rd round on Monday night.

My Man of the Match – George Long (AFC W).

Referee -- Our referee for this important second round FA Cup tie has been confirmed as James Linington who hails from Newport on the Isle of Wight.

Attendance – 3,270.

Next match:
Tuesday 5th December vs Yeovil Town (Away)
EFL Trophy 2nd Round  7:45pm