Paul Tizzard's eight-year-old has won eight in a row, and should see off his stablemate at Kempton...
It’s Boxing Day.
Perhaps one of the best days in the racing calendar with no less than 11 meetings across UK and Ireland.
All eyes will be on Kempton and despite one of the poorest King George fields in recent years, the battle between Thistlecrack and Cue Card should be one to savour.
Yala Enki looking to build after Haydock victory
We start the day in the 1.50pm Rowland Meyrick Chase at Wetherby.
There are 10 entered to contest the 3m in this Grade 3 and Venetia Williams’ Yala Enki looks a good bet here.
The six-year-old has had a relatively successful 2016 with three and two placed-finishes from seven rides.
His last two outings have been the most encouraging – a strong performance finishing third to Kruzhlinin in November and victory at Haydock two weeks ago means he comes into the race on fine form.
RSA Cheltenham Chase winner Blacklion looks the main threat but has been disappointing in his last two rides.
Jockey Charlie Deutsch has a perfect record on board, having won two from two, and he looks set to make it a hat-trick on Monday at 4/1.
Sean Bowen and Minella Daddy eyeing Grade-1 success
The third race at Kempton is the 2.05pm Kauto Star Novices’ Chase, where 10 will tackle the 3m.
Despite being narrowly beaten at Ascot two weeks ago, Minella Daddy looks great value to bounce back Monday.
The six-year-old has been very impressive so far with three wins, four seconds and one third from ten rides.
He looked set for a third win in a row at Ascot but was slightly hampered by a falling horse and lost momentum going into the final 100 yards.
If not hampered, he looked a certain winner and having already tasted victory over this distance, he looks a big price at 9/1 for the win.
The New One can upset Yanwork in the Christmas Hurdle
The Christmas Hurdle is up next, and is probably one of the biggest anti-climaxes of the day after Faugheen and Vroum Vroum Mag pulled out.
Now there are only five runners with Alan King’s Yanworth a strong favourite.
However, the value points towards The New One here.
A course and distance winner and runner-up in this race last year, he looks set to go one better Monday.
He dug in deep for his victory at Cheltenham two weeks ago and trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies thinks he will be much sharper come Monday.
He beat My Tent Or Yours that day and at 7/4 he looks set for another Grade 1.
Thistlecrack set to beat stablemate Cue Card in the King George
Now it’s time for the big one – The King George.
Another race that has been a big disappointment to all racing fans with one of the weakest fields in recent years.
However, the battle between Colin Tizzard’s stars should provide some spectacle.
Cue Card won this race last year after just pipping the late Vautour to the finish line.
The ten-year-old looked good in the Cheltenham Gold Cup before falling three from home, but was very disappointing at Punchestown and Wetherby.
He made amends, though, as his victory over Coneygree at Haydock last month is up there with his best performance yet.
However, the value still looks towards Thistlecrack here.
The eight-year-old is looking for a ninth win in a row and to maintain his 100 per cent record over fences.
His first two wins at Chepstow and Cheltenham gave few little optimism as the fields were very weak but he looked fantastic in his victory at Newbury in November.
The small field will definitely play in his favour as he’s only faced four or five over fences thus far.
Silviniaco Conti is a two-time winner of the King George but looks way out his depth on this occasion and Thistlecrack looks set for a narrow victory at 5/4.
Lightscameraction set for the Betway Sprint Condition Stakes
We finish off with some all-weather racing at Wolverhampton.
Only six are entered for the 5f dash but Gay Kelleway’s Lightscameraction looks a good bet here.
All of the four-year-old’s wins have come on the all-weather at Lingfield.
He did put in a bold performance at Leicester in October – finishing second to Mirza and beating Monday’s favourite Dougan that day.
Experienced jockey Pat Cosgrave rides for the first time looking to guide this 7/2 shot home.
Yala Enki 4/1 | Minella Daddy 9/1 | The New One 7/4 | Thistlecrack 5/4 | Lightscameraction 7/2 |
A £1 Lucky 31 (£31 total stake) returns £1,741.81*
