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| Punter's Diary by Malcolm Heyhoe |
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| Updated: 1st January 2013 - GG.com |
January Jewels
Sandown on January 5 ushers in a quiet start to the New Year's jumps programme with the Grade 1 Tolworth Hurdle occupying pride of place on a low-key card. If Clive Cox decides upon sending stable star, Poet, for this graded event then punters need look no further for the winner.
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Cox has done a tremendous job in nurturing this one's huge talents and the transition from the Flat to hurdling has been smoother than silk. Throw in the fact that the gelding acts particularly well on heavy ground and the recipe is in place for further hurdles success.
The following week's action features a fine card from Warwick with the valuable Betfred Classic Chase occupying centre stage on a usually cracking afternoon. A year ago Hey Big Spender landed the spoils and connections will be aiming to win that same race again while Alan King, who has sent out some stinkers in top handicaps of late, may give West End Rocker the chance to redeem his tarnished reputation after a poor run last time.
On the same card several of the stronger candidates for novice hurdle honours around the 2m 5f trip will be in action in the Leamington Novices Hurdle, a graded contest over the longer trip at the West Midlands track. John Ferguson took this prize a year ago with Cotton Mill, and any runner from his yard must be considered.
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The best race of January takes place at Ascot on January 19 when the Victor Chandler Chase offers Sprinter Sacre another opportunity to show why he is the best jumps horse in training. Nicky Henderson's 2m colossus is so far ahead of his rivals that the lack of opposition is sure to be embarrassing and all Grade 1 2m chases now should suffer from a dearth of credible opposition.
Over at Haydock on the same day Grand National contenders will be plying their trade in the Peter Marsh Chase, and a tough and improving stayer is usually what punters should be looking for at the Lancashire track. The Lucinda Russell-trained Bold Sir Brian fits this bill, and is my idea of the Peter Marsh winner. The Haydock card also includes the Champion Hurdle Trial though at the point of naming is where any resemblance to a proper trial for the Cheltenham showpiece inevitably ends.
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January's jumps action turns full circle on January 26 when Cheltenham stages a full-blown trail fixture for the Festival in March. The feature race is the Argento Chase followed by the Cleeve Hurdle and the Finesse Juvenile Hurdle Trial. Judging by past results, it is debatable how much bearing these races will exert upon the festival in March, and backers should be wary of reading too much into the outcome of these trials.
Still, Bob's Worth will look like a good thing for the Argento Chase, and the current Cheltenham Gold Cup favourite can maintain his unbeaten record at Prestbury Park. Over at Doncaster on the same day the course stages the River Don Novices' Hurdle for would-be young stayers while the Skybet Chase is the feature handicap of Doncaster's all-too brief National Hunt season.
Malcolm Heyhoe writes weekly horse racing articles for GG.COM-Horse racing betting, information, news, results and free daily tips
Archive Dec 2012
