Happy Christmas One And All - Hoping For Some Winners For You.

ALL VIEWS ARE MY OWN

It has certainly been a funny old week with yours truly featured in the main story in the Racing Post this Wednesday after a frankly unbelievable feature where a regular punter with no financial issues was asked to jump though affordability check hoops after losing an average of 4p a day – sadly they did not print my quote that we all used to argue affordability checks were originally set at a cup of coffee a day (equally laughable), but now we are down to a glass of water. The truth is the right hand doesn’t know what the left is doing with the Gambling Commission yet to mandate affordability checks officially – but coming down on any bookmaker like a ton of bricks should they not err on the side of caution – someone needs to grow a pair (if I can still say that in the year 2024) and state the truth for a change. More worryingly for me was the implication that the bookmakers had been sent a different credit rating to the one you and I can access via various websites – how can we have two, one that they tell us, and a “top secret” one only for the bookies, surely that cannot be right and is something the Gambling Commission should pick up on (I won’t be holding my breath on that one)? Unacceptable is the word that springs to mind, and I will continue fighting the good fight – though I also suspect that now bookmakers are being told they cannot accept losing punters barring pennies, the cull on anyone that looks like they have a clue will continue behind the scenes.  

I also need to report back from Japan and Hong Kong once more – why is it that their racing thrives, while ours in in the doldrums? Horse racing is very popular in both jurisdictions but for very different reasons – surely we can amalgamate the two in some way to take the sport forwards? In Japan jockeys, trainers and especially the horses are media superstars – autographs are eagerly sought, and I personally witnessed the handing it of a few baseball caps gathering a crowd of thousands, much to the owners surprise, which saw the police called as they were blocking the street. Auguste Rodin was given a retirement ceremony after racing which saw 10,000 or so stay behind to cheer the horse (who isn’t even Japanese), while despite a capacity of about 80,000, there was a one in 23 chance of getting a ticket for the Japan Cup, it was that oversubscribed – somehow, we need to tap in and generate some of that enthusiasm.

In Hong Kong it is, if I am honest, more about the betting, but their punters are treated like royalty – not like something you might step in as it can feel at times in the UK. No expense is spared to make the betting halls comfortable with plush seating, dozens of TV screens, and more data than you can shake a stick it to help you find the winner. That is where a Tote monopoly comes into play – unlike our bookmakers they genuinely don’t mind you finding the winners, they just take their percentage out of the pot regardless, and although you could rightly argue we get more value over here – than only works if you can actually get a bet on!   

On the brighter side, while we may be struggling to find much to take on the Irish with at Cheltenham come March, the French appear to be upping their game. Jet Blue headed over to Cheltenham last weekend for the Albert Bartlett over three miles and put his rivals to bed with a six and a half length victory, with some pretty decent sorts in his wake, including Skyjack Hijack who was looking for his seven-timer, and it will be interesting to see if he races in the same colours next year – or is bought for an astronomical sum by one of our deep pocket owners before then? Add in Cross Country Chase winner Sweet David who won at headquarters in November under Felix De Giles (funnily enough, my son ran into him in Pisa at the weekend) and they have a decent hand for 2025, and long may that continue.

Moving on to end with some more positives, and Willie Mullins won Manager of The Year in Ireland last weekend, despite being up against all other sports including rugby union and football. The master trainer was described as visibly shocked with his win, but more importantly, it showed that racing, in Ireland at least, isn’t dead and buried yet. Their government support via various tax incentives (well beyond me I’m afraid) not only gives them an advantage over us, it recognises the importance the sport plays in a rural economy, I just hope our own government sits up and takes notice as we need all the help we can get.   

Lastly, and briefly, congratulations to trainer Tony Carroll who finally broke the milestone of 100 winners on the Flat in a year. Better known (rightly or wrongly) for his exploits on the all-weather, with The Craftymaster crowned ARC Outstanding All-Weather Horse recently, I hope he won’t mind me suggesting that he is evidence that hard work and the correct placing of the horses in your care can pay dividends,  and all without the backing of any of the mega rich owners associated with other stables.

On to the racing – with the podcast link here…where we also discuss horse names (for something a little different) https://theworldofsport.co.uk/2024/12/20/post-racing-podcast-20-12-24/

Saturday Racing

12.55pm Haydock

A small but interesting field for our first race this Saturday when five fillies and mares are set to do battle over Haydock’s two miles and three furlongs. Mostly lightly raced, with Fromheretoeternity the exception after 12 starts over hurdles, Nicky Henderson’s Lingfield winner Holloway Queen looks sure to go off at a pretty short price with Nico de Boinville in the saddle but I am happy enough to take her on with Kelya Wood who represents trainer Oliver Greenhall and Josh Guerriero. A faller at the last when looking the likely winner on her sole point-to-point at Lisronagh in February, she debuted over hurdles at Uttoxeter when making all for a comfortable ten length success. Sent off a 16/1 shot that day that suggests she will come on considerably for the race, and with the second running well since and the third a bumper winner, the form has a better look to it than the majority of maidens.  

1.50pm Ascot

With three of the four runners trained in Ireland we have a bit of a conundrum on our hands here trying to work out who is the best of the quartet, with none of them overly convincing or arriving with exceptional win percentages. Sole British runner Iroko heads the early betting after his second to Trelawne at Haydock on his seasonal return, but I am going to take a chance on the outsider of the field in Jungle Boogie, who is also the oldest here at the age of 10. Trained by Henry de Bromhead and to be ridden by Rachel Blackmore, he was outgunned last time out when sixth in the Cheltenham Gold Cup over three and a quarter miles when weakening after a mistake, but he arrives with low mileage after only six career starts, and won over this trip at Fairyhouse in January 2022 and could surprise them all if fit enough to give his best.

2.05pm Haydock (handicap)

The Tommy Whittle Chase has always been a competitive event, but can a dig through the statistics give us the winner in 2024? Looking at the last 15 years (12 runnings) and the following historical facts spring off the page. No winners priced bigger than 14/1 at the off (we will have to use early prices for obvious reasons), all who completed on their last start came home in the first eight, none who unseated on their previous outing have won, all were aged six to eight, 11 were rated 121 or above and all had raced in the last 60 days. Applying those ”rules” as filters, we can put a line through seven of the nine declared, leaving us with a shortlist of Famous Bridge and Easy Street – if only life was that easy! Famous Bridge win this last year off just 2lb lower and he looks to have been primed for a repeat after his second at Kelso in October and he is the one I will be backing to win, while his rival has won his last three (one over hurdles), and needs a career best off his new mark which may prove beyond him.

2.25pm Ascot

A proper competitive 10 runner field for the Long Walk Hurdle came as a pleasant surprise, and with four Irish raiders in the mix, we should get a better idea of just how good our stayers are this season. Strong Leadercertainly deserves his place at the head of the market with his five wins from 11 starts over hurdles and an impressive return to action at Newbury, and although 9/4 looks skinny he is clearly the one they all have to beat. He seems to be improving at the age of seven and he may have even more to offer with that run under his belt, one that may give him the edge over last year’s winner Crambo who would be my each way alternative for those looking for a bit more value this afternoon.

5.45pm Wolverhampton

One on the all-weather to end with and a seven-furlong fillies’ handicap that sees two course and distance winners in Enola Grey and Powdering, though the last named was rated 55 for her success and has to race off 18lb higher this evening. Two runnings have seen this go to Roger Varian and William Haggas, two powerful Newmarket stables, but I am hoping it is Lambourn’s turn in 2024 when Archie Watson sends Take A Pull here after her last start in a Listed race at Bro Park in Sweden. That was over a mile where she travelled well before weakening late on and losing two places close home, but dropped back a furlong here the daughter of Magna Grecia has more chance of lasting home, and off a mark of 89 for her handicap debut and dropped in class, she looks to have an excellent each way chance.

Sean’s Suggestion

Take A Pull Each Way 5.45pm Wolverhampton