Christmas, 2023 review- and all tha jazz...

ALL VIEWS ARE MY OWN

A short and sweet one again this week and something a little bit different as we head towards Christmas and the New Year with a look back at 2023 which isn’t quite as easy at is sounds. I can often be accused of being too negative, but we need to start with the good bits in brief, though picking my highlights wasn’t easy. It has to start at Cheltenham I suppose and Constitution Hill may yet go on to be the greatest hurdler of all time and like everyone I am looking forward to his season, while over fences El Fabiolo looked the real deal in the Arkle, and is already odds-on for the Champion Chase and rightly so. Add in Lucinda Russell and Peter Scudamore winning the Grand National with Corach Rambler for a proper racing set up where the joy was there for all to see, and we have been spoiled once more this year regardless of all the bad news stories that came to the surface.

On the Flat Aidan O’Brien did wonders with Auguste Rodin, winning the Derby the Irish Derby, the Irish Champion Stakes and the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Santa Anita despite setbacks in between, and we have to be grateful that as things stand they keep him in training next year, when as a son of Deep Impact his stud value has no limits, but it was Equinox that was the standout for me. The memory of him destroying a very good field for the Japan Cup (the runner up won the fillies’ triple crown over there and was receiving 9lb) will live on forever in my racing memory banks, as will the loudness of close to 90,000 fanatical Japanese racing fans cheering him home.

One thing stands out on the down-side and that is the never ending story of affordability checks. Like them or loathe them, agree with them or battling them, they are and will continue to hurt the finances of the sport we love – and similar is coming in Ireland. It isn’t even about the official checks for me at the moment, it’s about the unofficial ones going on as we speak and shutting down accounts left right and centre – while racing appears powerless and the mandarins in Whitehall swan off for another “well-deserved" holiday – I do have sympathy with the sport minister (Stuart Andrew) who I would like to think is on our side – but action needs to be taken NOW and racing and government both move slower than glaciers, which continues to frustrate.

Looking forward to 2024 and all eyes on the Flat will be on City Of Troy who is being called the new Frankel in certain quarters – over-hype in my opinion on what we have seen so far, and I am less convinced than some that we have a decent bunch of two-year-olds. We won’t get rich backing him regardless, but it will be interesting to see just how good he is (or isn’t) over the months ahead. With no Frankie in the saddle over here I wonder who will step forward as the personality of our sport if anyone, while what will we see in the training ranks?  Henrietta Knight’s horses will be worth a look as class is permanent and I for one can’t wait to see her back among the winners, while if I had to nominate a stable to follow it would have to be my mate Mick Appleby. His ability to take on cast offs from other stables and turn them into winners doesn’t get the publicity it deserves, and I am certain that if he was given better and more expensive horses, he would be a force to reckon with at the highest level.  

Although I have put forward three horses for Saturday below, I have also been asked to provide my idea of the Christmas Banker – no pressure then. Even the 15/8 about Allaho for the King George looks value in the circumstances as the Willie Mullins trained nine-year-old looked as good as ever when winning on his return at Clonmel. That made it five wins in a row for the son of No Risks At All and if we all agree the Irish horses are miles ahead of ours, I can see no reason why he cannot dominate here as well. Naturally it’s a decent field with Paul Nicholls hoping Bravemansgame can get back to his best, and Shishkin more than capable on his day, but I am more than happy with my suggestion who will hopefully pay for some added sprouts after Christmas.

Lastly, and with the obligatory podcast link here https://theworldofsport.co.uk/2023/12/22/noddy-holder-joins-ron-and-sean-for-the-christmas-podcast/?fbclid=IwAR3HWJN7oM1YAkG-qR2_laR3ovM503j1q_U8UI22ZsNJZLWscrz5Bp9MFU8

 may I take this opportunity to wish you all a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year – here’s to plenty more winners over the months ahead!

On to the horses tomorrow…

Saturday

Plenty (too much?) racing this Saturday with meetings up and down the Country, but I am happy enough with my picks in the run up to Christmas. Starting off at Haydock and the 1.30pm, a proper staying chase where stamina and jumping is the name of the game as it should be at this time of year. Credo was only a length behind Famous Bridge here last time out, yet he meets that rival on 3lb better terms this afternoon which must give him every chance of reversing that form. Add in the fact that the early betting sees my suggestion at nearly twice the price of his old rival and I think we may have a spot of value to go to war with here with each way the sensible option and a place meaning we won’t lose any money on the bet.

Off to Ascot for my second bet and it is a risky one I admit! Paul Nicholls is one of our top trainers as we all know, and if he thinks youngster Blueking D’Oroux is worthy of a place in the Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot, who am I to argue. Due off at 2.25pm the four-year-old has won both his starts this season over shorter, but there must be something he is showing at home suggesting this is his trip for Paul to send him here. On official ratings he has 11lb to find with Dashel Drasher, but it may be time for the old guard to give way to the next generation, and at a he price we can afford to risk a few pennies each way just in case.

One more for Saturday afternoon and it’s off to the all-weather at Lingfield where Twirling looks the proverbial good thing (famous last words) ahead of her handicap debut at 1.25pm. The winner of two of her three starts for the Crisfords, including last time out at Kempton over this trip, she made all the running that day and has a small field that she could dominate here as well. She does have top-weight and a rating of 87 to try to shrug off, but there is every chance there is more improvement to come, though what odds we will get is open to question.

Sean’s Suggestions:

Twirling 1.25pm Lingfield Saturday  

Allaho 2.30pm Kempton Boxing Day