Dave Massey is back ahead of one of the biggest days of racing of the racing, with his Boxing Day Best Bets exclusively for kwiff.
Boxing Day Best Bets: Dave Massey’s Exclusive Preview
There’s only so much longer we can go on ignoring the claims of Golden Ace (1.55) as a truly top-class hurdler and with fitness on her side here, and of course a useful 7lb mares allowance, she can cause another minor upset by beating Sir Gino here.
Boxing Day Best Bets: Golden Ace (Kempton, 1.55)
We know she was rather lucky to be presented with the Champion Hurdle once State Man departed so unfortunately at the final flight, but she ran well at Punchestown the time after, second as State Man had his revenge, and she was right back to form in the Fighting Fifth, travelling well and finding plenty for pressure to see off Anzadam, clocking a very good time figure in the process, and putting her previous Wetherby disappointment well and truly behind her. She can give her connections another big day in the sun today.
Boxing Day Best Bets: King of the Road (Kempton, 3.40)
The fast-improving Onewaywest would look to be the one to beat here, as Ben Pauling has found the key to him with easy wins at Wetherby and Warwick, but his supposed second-string, King Of The Road, might just be overpriced here as a result and I’d not be so quick to dismiss his chances.
Second in this from a 2lb higher mark last year (when Ben also ran two in the race), the key to him appears to be decent ground; when he gets it, as he did at Ludlow on his reappearance this year (over a trip too short, too) he runs his race, finishing a solid third, but when he doesn’t, as at Cheltenham last time, he disappoints. As such, he should find Kempton’s drying ground more his cup of tea, and if the cheekpieces just buck his ideas up, he’s not out of this.
Boxing Day Best Bets: Tiny Tetley (Wincanton, 3.13)
Tiny Tetley (3.13) has only lasted the two runs over fences before connections have decided it’s not for him, and I think that a wise decision. He just lacks the size for the bigger obstacles and the switch back to hurdles could have an immediate effect here.
He ran a lovely race first time up at Cheltenham when finishing midfield behind Ma Shantou, looking in need of the outing and I felt sure he’d be winning more races off the back of that. However, as we’ve seen, it just hasn’t happened for him over fences, well beaten at Exeter and pulling up at Ludlow, and frankly I’d just put a line straight through both of those runs. I’m expecting a lot better today, and Wincanton’s drying ground will be ideal.
Boxing Day Best Bets: The Big Breac (Market Rasen, 2.57)
O’Connell took this for the Sue Smith/Joel Parkinson partnership last year and they have another that looks tailor-made for this in the shape of The Big Breac (2.57). A winner of two handicap hurdles last season, he’s looked even better in two chase starts this year.
The Big Breac won with plenty in hand at Wetherby and then losing nothing in defeat when third over a marathon trip at Newcastle last time, beaten just under five lengths by a rejuvenated Dom Of Mary. Zertakt, who finished second there, scored at Cheltenham next time to give the form a strong look. He’s got a great chance today, and is a strong selection.
By Dave Massey
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