Here I am, sat on my sofa enjoying (?) the wonderful Christmas/New Year television when I suddenly realised I owed you all a racing article for the weekend. Naturally, I could have a) spent all my time waffling on then stuck a pin in the paper for my selections or b) cut out the small talk and work on the racing instead, so I went for the latter – all we need now are a winner or two to make it all worthwhile and start 2022 with a boom – so with that, I wish you all a very Happy New Year.
New Year’s Day Racing
1.25pm Cheltenham
Not ever selection can be at a huge price, and L’Homme Presse is a fine example as the Venetia Williams trained seven-year-old looks to maintain his unbeaten record over fence after two very impressive wins at Exeter and then Ascot. His jumping can still be a little suspect on occasion which is a concern, but hopefully that will get better with experience, and if that is the case he will take some stopping here as well, assuming a clear round.
2.00m Cheltenham
A standard tricky Saturday to deal with as Cheltenham hold centre stage, but do not necessarily have the most sensible betting opportunities. There is an exception when it comes to the handicap chase at 2.00pm when I wonder if we might see a big run from Gray Moore’s A Toi Phil at huge odds? Firstly, I have to assume he is the stable number one with Jamie Moore on board (yet stable companion High Up In The Air trades at half the price), but more importantly, the stable remain in great form. As for the horse, he is yet to live up to expectations since arriving from Ireland after winning at Listowel in September 2019 with pair of fourth places at Newbury (in February 2022 behind Native River) and at Kempton in January behind Smarty Wild. Four pounds lower in the handicap now, I have noted plenty of the Moore horses bouncing back to form this season, and a repeat of his Newbury run would see a huge effort here off his new mark.
2.50pm Musselburgh
Off north to Musselburgh next when Donald McCain has a player on his hands in Gaelik Coast, an eight-year-old gelding who rather likes it at this course. Three starts here have seen a second over two miles and a pair of course and distance successes off marks of 137, just three pounds lower than he has to carry here. Ignore his last run when a distant eighth in a far better race at Newbury, not just because that may have been beyond him, but because he slipped on landing early in the race and never recovered, but campaigned at the right level here he looks to have an outstanding chance with Brian Hughes booked to ride.
3.25pm Musselburgh
Sticking with the Donald McCain stable (who I hope are in for a good day), and there is a lot to like about the chances of Morraman in the finale at 3.25pm. He was not disgraced when running on in to fourth over an inadequate two miles five furlongs at Ludlow last time out, but one look at his race record tells you why I fancy him here. Two of his three career wins have been over this course and distance (the other was at Wetherby), the latest off a mark just two pounds lower in October. With the trip, the track, the handicap mark all on his side and his stable in good form as well, a big run is expected here (well, by me at least),
Sean’s Suggestions:
L’Homme Press 1.25pm Cheltenham
Morraman 3.25pm Musselburgh
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