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Tanya Stevenson's Racing UK Blog |
| Tuesday 24th December 2013 | |
Here’s my three I hope deliver a Christmas cracker
Here is an opportunity to wish all who have taken the trouble to read my thoughts a very Merry Christmas, and I hope you survived the storms intact.
There is plenty of NFL and cricket to keep me amused over the festive period, as well as research for a fantastic schedule of racing. Kempton, Chepstow and Cheltenham are all on my agenda, while the Sky + is set for anything else across Britain and Ireland, especially Leopardstown!
Many Cheltenham Festival aspirations could be realised or dashed in a week of intense top-class action.
As for Father Christmas he answered my request long ago; meeting the New Zealand cricket team at Royal Ascot, then just a few weeks later the announcement the Oakland Raiders were Wembley-bound. In my sad little quarter that is the ultimate dream come true.
In racing I never put any pressure on myself to want for much as the frailties of horses make sure that it’s easy to be disappointed. At this stage I would love to see Racing Pulse win the Albert Bartlett - he was so magnificent at Newcastle he must have a chance if he gets to Cheltenham in March.
Then Fox Appeal got the job done at Ascot on Friday, beating Raya Star among others. It would be incredibly satisfying to see him in the Arkle or the Jewson at Cheltenham, yet Aintree and the Mildmay course may be his best venue.
My Tent Or Yours is my idea of the Champion Hurdle winner, although I respect AP McCoy's statement that Hurricane Fly is the one to beat. Thank goodness I’m at Kempton on Boxing Day to witness McCoy's quest to beat The New One. The excitement surrounding the contest is sure to be immense yet I feel The New One is out soon enough after his successful bid in the International Hurdle.
All eyes on the weather as my ante-post bet for the King George, Riverside Theatre wouldn’t want too much more rain, if he defects I’ll be on Dynaste, although full respect is paid to defending champion Long Run.
At Leopardstown I’d love Sizing Europe to win the Dial-A-Bet Chase on the 27th; he is defending the crown he won at a price of 1-3 last year and has to take every opportunity before he meets up with Sprinter Sacre again.
Nicky Henderson’s superstar, fingers crossed, can be seen either by going to Kempton or exclusively live on Racing UK at 2.30pm on Friday in the Desert Orchid Chase. Later in the day at 2.55, Spring Heeled who showed up for a long way at Cheltenham last time, could go close back at Leopardstown.
I hope you all have a happy Christmas and come back here for my Boxing Day update.
Tanya's tips over the Christmas period:
Christmas Hurdle at Kempton, December 26: My Tent Or Yours
Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown, December 27: Spring Heeled
Paddy Power Dial-A-Bet Chase at Leopardstown, December 27: Sizing Europe
