We finished in profit from Ascot last weekend thanks to Irving (11-4), Houblon Des Obeaux (4-1) and Flaxen Flare (16-1 each-way). Let’s hope that we can keep up the good work over Christmas when we all need a bit of a cash boost.
The King George has never been a particular favourite of mine because it is often won by the same horse at prohibitive odds. Kauto Star (5 times) and Desert Orchid (4 times) have been great in terms of popular racing winners but the race is generally not that competitive.
That is certainly not the case this year with a virtual re-run of the Betfair Chase at Haydock and connections of the first three home all being quite bullish about their prospects. It was Cue Card that came out on top at the Lancashire track, comfortably holding off Dynaste and Silviniaco Conti who were both making their seasonal debuts.
The second and third were the two horses that I earmarked at the start of the season for the Cheltenham Gold Cup and they certainly didn’t do their chances any harm at Haydock. Silviniaco Conti surprised by how well he travelled. In fact, he may have travelled a little too well and just ran out of puff in the closing stages.
Dynaste bowled along nicely and jumped like an old hand rather than a second season chaser. David Pipe must have been delighted by that and he appeared to love Kempton last season when bolting up in the Feltham. I just feel that Dynaste is more likely to be suited by this track than Silviniaco Conti, although I can see the Nicholls horse running a big race.
Cue Card improved over a stone from his first run to his second and Colin Tizzard has since revealed that his stable has been trying to shake off a virus all season. He is at pains to stage categorically that Cue Card is not affected and is in great shape for Boxing Day.
Al Ferof has always been regarded as a likely candidate for this race and he did nothing wrong when winning at Ascot. Admittedly he only had a single rival but that horse came out and ran well in a handicap at Cheltenham so it may have been a better run than it first appeared. It’s hard to see any of the others getting involved but it is set up for a cracking race between the trio from Haydock.
Dynaste at 100-30 Bet365, Coral
Betfair:
Bet on Henrik Stenson to become the BMW PGA Championship Winner.
Paddypower:
Back Australia to take the Ashes home with them.
Betway:
Back Rafael Nadal to become the Mens French Open Winner.
Coral:
Back One For Arthur to win the Grand National.
Bet365:
Back Mexico to win the Confederations Cup.
