After the most chaotic, and successful, day of the racing calendar, we have another day of top class action to get stuck into. This time we head to East Wales for the Welsh National at Chepstow, as well as the last of the Kempton action and Leopardstown too.
Chepstow
Genius Contender
2:50 – Welsh Grand National (Premier Handicap Chase) – Monbeg Genius @ 11/2 (General)
Monbeg Genius has been unlucky yet brave at this level. He’s placed third in the 2023 Ultima Handicap Chase at Cheltenham and third in the 2023 Coral Gold Cup. He is due a big win and this might be the one to suit. A big galloping track and soft underfoot conditions will suit him well. His only run this season came at Haydock in the gruelling staying handicap chase finale, which can often be used as a form guide for this contest.
But after that incredible performance at Haydock, Fontaine Collonges cannot be discounted. She hasn’t managed to stay over three-and-a-half miles but seems to come alive at Christmas, with last year’s Rowland Meyrick the performance to watch for. This will ultimately be tougher than that, but she looks to have come out of Haydock well and Venetia Williams will not look to come out Christmas empty-handed. 10/1 (General).
Or could a returning performer steal the show. Iron Bridge was fighting out his own Welsh National when 34 lengths behind Nassalam just pulling out by three parts of a length to grab second. With no Nassalam in the race he can act on a surprising six-pound lower mark than last year. He’s a proper staying chaser that won’t be far from the finish. 8/1 (Betfred).
Kempton
Burn Baby Burn
1:55 – Wayward Lad Novice’s Chase (Grade Two) – Ballyburn @ 11/10 (BetVictor, Betfred)
After Constitution Hill delivered with all the hype around him, I’m sure that Ballyburn can do the same. With no two-mile novice chase at Leopardstown this year it was either stepping him up or bringing him here. And after his 13 length victory on debut, he looks imperious. Sir Gino was brilliant winning the Fighting Fifth but this may be a stretch too far throwing him in on chasing debut against this titan.
Give It Some Welly
2:30 – Desert Orchid Limited Handicap Chase (Grade Two) – Boothill @ 11/4 (General)
Boothill has experience over this course and distance but just failed when it was a level weight contest. Now in a handicap, he can take advantage of some of his rivals and looks well-placed. It’s been a bit of a luckless story for Boothill since winning the Wayward Novice’s Chase back in 2021, running into Edwardstone and Jonbon and the likes. This looks like a very gettable Grade Two today.
But do not discount Editeur Du Gite, who has won this race for the previous two years running when it was both a level weight and a limited handicap. He comes into this in not the best form but has been racing over further. He’s down a big four pounds in the handicap with a further five pounds taken off to make him extra competitive. A possible hat-trick could be incoming. 13/2 (General).
Leopardstown
Don’t Feel Blue
1:05 – Paddy’s Reward Club Chase (Grade One) – Dinoblue @ 5/1 (General)
There’s two weaknesses to the top two. Gaelic Warrior hates Leopardstown and Found A Fifty will possibly want further and hasn’t won his first two starts of the season all the comfortably. With weaknesses to exploit, Dinoblue can take full charge of her mares’ allowance to grab yet another Grade One and retain her title. The form from both the G2 Hilly Way at Cork and the G1 Punchestown Champion Chase has been given a huge boost with Banbridge winning the King George. All signs point to the Green and Gold.
But don’t forget about Captain Guinness, the Champion Chaser. He’s hasn’t just won that as a fluke, he was great jumper at Cheltenham and fully earnt his right. He finished within a neck of Banbridge last season at Punchestown but needs to turn up to be at his best. Too bigger price for a champion in this brilliant contest. 5/1 (General).
The Very Best of Luck!
