Daily + Elite - Boxing Day tips message + Tip suggestions
Wetherby 1.50 1 Blaklion
Market Rasen 2.20 3 Fill The Power
Sedgefield 2.45 9 Western Breeze
Wincanton 3.25 9 Bears Rails
Kempton 3.45 3 Big Chief Benny
(suggested small Unit Lucky 31 - see full explanation below)
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Boxing Day is traditionally KING GEORGE Day and we have seen some fantastic renewals over the years and
of course the race will always be synonymous with 2 legends of the sport, DESERT ORCHID and KAUTO STAR;
quite how far you would have travelled, and quite how many; those pair would have attracted in a race against
each other; is anyone guess, so forgive me please; if I find Cue Card v Thistlecrack something of an anti climax.
Whilst I have massive admiration; for the rise of Colin Tizzard from part time Trainer and Full Time Farmer; to the
very highest echelons of National Hunt Horse Racing; the thought of a 5 runner King George with an excellent but
not outstanding Cue Card v a Novice Chaser, leaves me wondering, where are all of the other top quality Chasers?
The anticipation about the match between the 2 Cornish raiders, is complete marketing hype that some
have fallen for. I don't think we will learn anything from today's race, likely to be a falsely run affair and if I was Tizzard
I would be telling both of my jockeys to "go easy" once one or the other had taken precedence as flogging a runner
up to be beaten 2 lengths or 30 lengths would be the height of folly with Cheltenham less than 12 weeks away.
From a tipping perspective Boxing Day is always a difficult conundrum for us, quite simply put; that many
members have family matters to attend to, whilst we appreciate that others; are desperate to sit down
with some tips and thoughts. It is undeniable in my humble opinion that the best race(s) of the holiday
period are indeed tomorrow - headed by a race that never disappoints THE WELSH NATIONAL and if
we add in The Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown and a couple more top quality BIG FIELD races
at Chepstow and Kempton tomorrow, then we have no lack of ELITE + Daily Tip options, so we will
look at the WELSH NATIONAL + PADDY POWER as Elite tips in the morning; and will abstain today on
the basis of no really stand-out BIG Filed Handicaps for the Elite Service to attack.
We are keen though to look at some of the dozen or so Handicap races of sufficient Grade and
size today to keep things ticking over and here is a suggested Lucky 31 bet on 5 horses
who all have very solid form claims in decent fields at decent prices and we will be back tomorrow
with a normal format of TWO Elite races and THREE Daily Tips from the Daily Tipsters.
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Blaklion is the class of the race at Wetherby and has excellent Course and Distance form,
these are certainly calmer waters than last time and whilst a few could return to their
very best form and take this, the selection still looks both in form and progressive.
Fill The Power remains something of an enigma, but the handicap mark is too good to
ignore, the Yard in fine form, and the fact is that after 3 runs the horse is now "cherry ripe";
on form, this track will suit and a bold bid is anticipated with stamina assured.
Western Breeze is a tough horse who needed seasonal debut, can put stamina and
possibly lenient mark here to positive effect with yard running in to form in past 10 days
Bears Rails may not take the headlines today for this Yard but looks to have been found a
good opportunity to put a couple of disappointing runs behind him and if the ability
remains from 2015 form, and no reason to suspect it does not, this is a cracking chance.
A tough Handicap Hurdle to close a Kempton Card where only 10 runners compete in
the 2 biggest races of the day, which is a shocking fact, this race though has no shortage
of potential improvers and Alan King's Big Chief Benny looks sure to appreciate a step
up in trip after catching our eye running on over shorter down the long straight at Doncaster
last time, and this longer trip and uphill finish should suit this progressive Hurdler.
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In the meantime we hope that you enjoy a GREAT Boxing Day with Family and Friends and/or
with your favourite Sports, as Boxing Day remains a sporting feat with loads of great football
and Rugby and other sporting events in addition to Horse Racing.
Back tomorrow morning at around 8am with our ELITE SERVICE and 9am with our Daily Tips;
with one of our TOP and favourite races of the year THE WELSH Grand National.
Regards
Ian