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Tanya's Blog - 25th February 2012

Much hilarity in the Kempton Park press room as there are discussions as to whether John McCririck should and how he should gain a driving licence. I suggested to start off in a simulator and others flagged up an intensive two week course. While Alastair Down stated he’d hand in his licence if Mac was ever let behind a wheel. He has since disappeared to liaise with Ted Walsh re the Irish challengers at the Cheltenham Festival.

Slowly but surely the skeletons of bookmakers pitches are gaining flesh with name tags and boards ready to brace a deluge of readies aimed at Sadler’s Risk, Michel Le Bon and Grumeti, to name a few.
Coffee is up in the press room, much to the satisfaction to those in attendance, Chris Dixon, Mac, Nick Luck, Kelvin Mansfield. It’s not the biggest of facilities and the room is almost full to bursting already.

A mild day at Kempton which has provided good ground more often than not since 1990 for Racing Plus Chase Day. The paper has just been relaunched, well worth a read with some great articles and tips plus a brilliant picture of Gareth Bale in the back pages. He’s been a shining light for my Fantasy Football team this season and here’s hoping he can score at the Emirates tomorrow!!!!

I digress and while Mac writes out hundreds of stats from his infinitive archive of moth eaten scriptures. I have been contemplating my selections. For once I have gone for more fancied runners. The 5-1 Portrait King was a mere memory last night as only 4.8 was available on the exchanges at 10.30pm. So if you were able to get any 5-1 well done, all we now need is for the horse to win. Irish challengers are not averse to Eider victories, Hollybank Buck and This Is Serious being the former. Portrait King has all the credentials and could been thrown in off a lenient mark. I’ve noticed in all long distance chases this season the place to be is infront, Portrait King could lead all the way.

Another front-runner who I’m banking on is Nacarat and Paddy Brennan, the sight of this wonderful grey attacking the jumps at Kempton is one to behold and this is his fourth time in the race. Paddy was bullish about his chances on Thursday, with a dry run-up he must be ultra confident now.

It is now Cheltenham Festival preview season and make sure you support your local course or venue get those last minute tips and selections for your portfolio, 17 days and counting.........

POINTERS

Paul Nicholls is trying to win his sixth Pendil Novices’ Chase in seven years

Seven of the last 13 winners of the Adonis Hurdle have gone on to subsequent victories at the Cheltenham Festival

Five of the last 12 winners of the Adonis Hurdle have gone on to win the JCB Triumph Hurdle in the same season

The last five winners of the Racing Post Chase were aged 7 & 8

Seven of the last ten winners of the Racing Plus Chase had won on their previous start

11-1 is the biggest starting price of the winner of the Racing Plus Chase in the last ten years

Eight of the last ten winners of the Racing Plus Chase carried 10-13 or more

The last eight winners of the Eider Chase all carried 11-0 or more

Seven of the last ten winners of the Eider Chase were aged 8 or 9

Only one of the last ten favourites has won the Eider Chase