By Ryan Skidmore
Wetherby
13:35 - Sounds Russian 6/1 2pt ew 5pl
Ruth Jefferson’s stable star ran another career best last time when 4th to Noble Yeats in the Many Clouds, only beaten 4 1/4 lengths at the finish. He jumped and travelled really well that day and just got tapped for toe towards the end before staying on really strongly at the line.
SOUNDS RUSSIAN had gone into that off another career best in the Edinburgh Gin chase where he won well. He has won 4 races over fences working his way up from an opening mark of 111, up to his current mark of 157 and I think the return to a handicap today will suit him. I expect a big showing and odds of around 6/1 make him a very interesting each way bet for me, with his potential still unknown.
Wincanton
14:03 - Edeiffs Elton 7/2 1pt win
All 3 of EDEIFFS ELTON’s victories have come at the course and it would be no surprise if it has been the plan to come here on Boxing Day for a while. Robert Walford’s horse has ran well on both starts over fences this season, he fell when looking a big danger at Hereford and then came 3rd in a good race at Exeter. He kept on well that day and will appreciate the drop back in class and I think he has great claims of picking up his 4th career win.
Wetherby
14:10 - Zabeel Champion 8/1 1pt ew
I think it’s fair to say connections knew that ZABEEL CHAMPION would need the run first time out this season as he drifted out to 16/1 on the day after opening a lot shorter. His run at Chepstow in the Silver Trophy showed that as he travelled well before emptying rapidly and was given an easy time of it.
The form from Chepstow has worked out incredibly well with basically every horse running well since out of it and I expect Jonjo O’Neill’s horse to take a big step forward today. He was 2 wins from 4 last season while learning his trade and his mark of 121 looks one that could be exploited based off his flat form. Hopefully that can be exploited today and the addition of cheekpieces could just help him out, the trainer has used them to good effect in big races before, notably on Cloth Cap to win a Ladbrokes Trophy.
Kempton
14:30 - L'homme Presse 2/1 2pt win
The King George is a fascinating renewal this year and I believe Venetia Williams holds the key to it. After impressing throughout his novice campaign L'HOMME PRESSE capped his season with a win in the Brown Advisory at the Cheltenham Festival, jumping well throughout and asserting up the run in.
I like the fact that he has endured different ground conditions and the rain that has fell will only help his chances, unlike main market rival Bravemansgame. L'HOMME PRESSE returned this season with an impressive win in the Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle despite being undercooked for that, he will step forward now and despite this not being the be all and end all, I think he is the horse in the race with the best engine and will take some stopping in the Boxing Day showcase.
Wolverhampton
16:10 - Baldomero 9/2 1pt win
Mick Appleby is a trainer in great form and his strike rate of 14% over last 14 days doesn’t fully reflect his form as he has had 10 places out 29 to go along with his 4 winners. I think his horse BALDOMERO has an excellent chance at Wolverhampton today with Jason Watson in the saddle.
The shape of the race should allow Watson to dictate in front on BALDOMERO and I think he can make use of his front running style as a lot of his rivals want to be held up. He is on a more than fair mark and has run well at the course on his only other visit here, odds of around 9/2 look worth taking a chance on.
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