Welcome 2022, Wishing everyone a Happy New Year.
Last years event was sadly lost to the weather, this year looks much more mild and we ought to start the year in a positive way. It's a seven race card today, the feature events will be the pair of Grade 2 contests, the Dipper Novices Chase and the Relkeel Hurdle which are both run over a trip of 2m 4f.
Here are our selections for the New Year Day card;
12:15 The Ballymore Novice's Hurdle (Listed)
2m 4f 56y [Class 1 7 runners].
Seven runners for our opener here on New Years Day, top trainer Nicky Henderson runs two, I Am Maximus appears the first pick on jockey bookings and a bumper winner here on soft ground then has picked up a maiden hurdle at Newbury last time and ought to be ready for this step up. Mot A Mot is his other runner but looks up against it based on all known runs so far. Dan Skelton has his 6yo mare Get A Tonic ready after two wins and rated close to the main Henderson threat.
Going Report - Soft [Good to soft in places].
Weather - Going to be cloudy and wet with plenty of rain forecast on New Year's Day a high of only 13C.
Weather - Going to be cloudy and wet with plenty of rain forecast on New Year's Day a high of only 13C.
Here are our selections for the New Year Day card;
12:15 The Ballymore Novice's Hurdle (Listed)
2m 4f 56y [Class 1 7 runners].
Seven runners for our opener here on New Years Day, top trainer Nicky Henderson runs two, I Am Maximus appears the first pick on jockey bookings and a bumper winner here on soft ground then has picked up a maiden hurdle at Newbury last time and ought to be ready for this step up. Mot A Mot is his other runner but looks up against it based on all known runs so far. Dan Skelton has his 6yo mare Get A Tonic ready after two wins and rated close to the main Henderson threat.
Result: (2) Hillcrest @3/1 [Richard Patrick].
12:50 The New Four Eighty Restaurant at Cheltenham Festival Handicap Chase.
12:50 The New Four Eighty Restaurant at Cheltenham Festival Handicap Chase.
3m 2f 70y [Class 2 11 runners].
A tricky handicap chase to review now, might be able to discount the two older horses (Smooth Stepper / Potters Legend) but the rest all could have a say and it's 4/1 the field. Honest Vic has run well without success and dropped a little in the weights too, this could be more his level. The Wolf another who should be able to give a better account for himself, was not that far away last time given that his rider lost his irons before the third last, while Venetia Williams runners usually excel in the mud and her runner Destinee Royale was only defeated by a short head last time and looks sure to stay this trip too which would be a big plus.
Result: (6) Full Back @9/2 [J E Moore].
13:25 "The Dipper" Novices Chase (Grade 2).
2m 4f 127y [Class 1 8 runners].
The first of our feature races here, at the early entries stage only nine runners were declared. Was run at Wincanton last year and returns to Cheltenham today with a strong looking line up including 'Come on Teddy' more about that one later. Once again Venetia Williams looks to have a control on the head of the market with L'Homme Presse winner of both chase starts so far this year. Alan King was successful in this race last year and saddles The Glancing Queen who has also won both chases this season, closely matched on ratings and does receive a weight allowance too which must add to her chances here.
A tricky handicap chase to review now, might be able to discount the two older horses (Smooth Stepper / Potters Legend) but the rest all could have a say and it's 4/1 the field. Honest Vic has run well without success and dropped a little in the weights too, this could be more his level. The Wolf another who should be able to give a better account for himself, was not that far away last time given that his rider lost his irons before the third last, while Venetia Williams runners usually excel in the mud and her runner Destinee Royale was only defeated by a short head last time and looks sure to stay this trip too which would be a big plus.
Result: (6) Full Back @9/2 [J E Moore].
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| Messire Des Obeaux winning the rearranged Dipper Chase at Wincanton |
2m 4f 127y [Class 1 8 runners].
The first of our feature races here, at the early entries stage only nine runners were declared. Was run at Wincanton last year and returns to Cheltenham today with a strong looking line up including 'Come on Teddy' more about that one later. Once again Venetia Williams looks to have a control on the head of the market with L'Homme Presse winner of both chase starts so far this year. Alan King was successful in this race last year and saddles The Glancing Queen who has also won both chases this season, closely matched on ratings and does receive a weight allowance too which must add to her chances here.
Outsider to note - Come On Teddy, winner of sole chase start and available at 16/1 here, stayed on well that day, jumped well too and might well cause a bit of an upset but at 16/1 also worth a shout in the place markets today.
14:35 Paddy Power Handicap Hurdle.
Result: (2) L'Homme Presse @7/4f [Charlie Deutsch].
14:00 Paddy Power New Year's Day Handicap Chase (Grade 3).
2m 4f 127y [Class 1 16 runners].
Big field of sixteen for the Paddy Power chase, top weight Funambule Sivola (V Williams) should go really well despite the burden here made all to win at Ascot and then has been runner up twice in decent contests so clearly in good heart. While Coole Cody got back to winning ways here in the Racing Post Gold Cup about three weeks ago and should be ready to roll the dice one again. Another to have won here was Vienna Court who powered away after the last to secure a mares handicap chase, this is another step up in class but wouldn't put them completely out of the picture.
Result: (12) Vienna Court @10/1 [Sam Twiston-Davies].
14:00 Paddy Power New Year's Day Handicap Chase (Grade 3).
2m 4f 127y [Class 1 16 runners].
Big field of sixteen for the Paddy Power chase, top weight Funambule Sivola (V Williams) should go really well despite the burden here made all to win at Ascot and then has been runner up twice in decent contests so clearly in good heart. While Coole Cody got back to winning ways here in the Racing Post Gold Cup about three weeks ago and should be ready to roll the dice one again. Another to have won here was Vienna Court who powered away after the last to secure a mares handicap chase, this is another step up in class but wouldn't put them completely out of the picture.
Result: (12) Vienna Court @10/1 [Sam Twiston-Davies].
14:35 Paddy Power Handicap Hurdle.
2m 7f 213y [Class 2 14 runners].
Tricky handicap hurdle on the card, plenty with strong winning form none more so than Tamar Bridge though his latest run only scored by a short head and might finally be in the grip of the handicapper after four wins from five runs. The likeable Kansas City Chief won again here (twice successful in three starts at this track) and has been winning with 7lb claimer Victoria Malzard who continues again today. Interesting that The Mighty Don reverts to hurdling after a long run of chasing efforts, has won here for Nick Gifford and not entirely out of it you should get a decent price too.
Result: (4) Dolphin Square @28/1 [Mr David Maxwell].
Tricky handicap hurdle on the card, plenty with strong winning form none more so than Tamar Bridge though his latest run only scored by a short head and might finally be in the grip of the handicapper after four wins from five runs. The likeable Kansas City Chief won again here (twice successful in three starts at this track) and has been winning with 7lb claimer Victoria Malzard who continues again today. Interesting that The Mighty Don reverts to hurdling after a long run of chasing efforts, has won here for Nick Gifford and not entirely out of it you should get a decent price too.
Result: (4) Dolphin Square @28/1 [Mr David Maxwell].
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| McFabulous won the rearranged Relkeel Hurdle run at Kempton Park |
15:10 Dornan Engineering Relkeel Hurdle (Grade 2).
2m 4f 56y [Class 1 6 runners].
The second of our Grade Two contests is the Relkeel Hurdle, the race was run last time at Kempton Park following the abandonment of this meeting twelve months back. That contest was won by McFabulous (pictured above) and Paul Nicholls inmate is in the line up once again here. They were in much better form then and will probably find Brewin'upastorm who was a clear winner at Aintree last time and along with Willie Mullins' runner Stormy Ireland the likely pair to side with against the field. Shame only two places to play for as Guard Your Dreams was a good winner here in the International Hurdle at the last meeting here for the Twiston-Davies team and available at 9/1 would be interesting for a place bet.
Result: (7) Stormy Island @4/1 [D E Mullins].
15:35 Cheltenham Pony Club 'Junior' NH Flat Race (Listed).
1m 5f 209y [Class 1 15 runners].
We end with a listed class bumper event, bit better than we usually see of this type and there might be a few clues to future races. Three newcomers in the field with Nicky Henderson's Royal Max one to be interested in perhaps. Also looking at Andrew Balding who runs Beyond Boundaries for the King Power Racing Club who would usually see their colours on the flat tracks so a rare Cheltenham runner. Of those with a little experience might pay to consider Iliade Allen (Nick Williams) and Poetic Music (F O'Brien) in a wide open contest.
Result: (15) Poetic Music @7/2f [P J Brennan].
Results will be updated here later today, and the rest of the New Year fixtures will feature events from Kempton Park on Wednesday nights as well as all the cards at Pontefract on the flat, and the bigger 2022 Festivals from Cheltenham, Aintree, Royal Ascot, Glorious Goodwood and Galway amongst many others to enjoy.
Whatever you do and whoever you are doing it with ... Have loads of fun this year and make it the best one ever.
2m 4f 56y [Class 1 6 runners].
The second of our Grade Two contests is the Relkeel Hurdle, the race was run last time at Kempton Park following the abandonment of this meeting twelve months back. That contest was won by McFabulous (pictured above) and Paul Nicholls inmate is in the line up once again here. They were in much better form then and will probably find Brewin'upastorm who was a clear winner at Aintree last time and along with Willie Mullins' runner Stormy Ireland the likely pair to side with against the field. Shame only two places to play for as Guard Your Dreams was a good winner here in the International Hurdle at the last meeting here for the Twiston-Davies team and available at 9/1 would be interesting for a place bet.
Result: (7) Stormy Island @4/1 [D E Mullins].
15:35 Cheltenham Pony Club 'Junior' NH Flat Race (Listed).
1m 5f 209y [Class 1 15 runners].
We end with a listed class bumper event, bit better than we usually see of this type and there might be a few clues to future races. Three newcomers in the field with Nicky Henderson's Royal Max one to be interested in perhaps. Also looking at Andrew Balding who runs Beyond Boundaries for the King Power Racing Club who would usually see their colours on the flat tracks so a rare Cheltenham runner. Of those with a little experience might pay to consider Iliade Allen (Nick Williams) and Poetic Music (F O'Brien) in a wide open contest.
Result: (15) Poetic Music @7/2f [P J Brennan].
Results will be updated here later today, and the rest of the New Year fixtures will feature events from Kempton Park on Wednesday nights as well as all the cards at Pontefract on the flat, and the bigger 2022 Festivals from Cheltenham, Aintree, Royal Ascot, Glorious Goodwood and Galway amongst many others to enjoy.
