Kempton
1.55 Kauto Star Novices Chase Grade 1
SANTINI looked a potential superstar in the making when winning on chasing debut the start of the month in the John Francome Novices Chase, he looked very big in the parade ring and in need of a run or 2, but to win the way he did against race fit rivals tells us a lot about this son of Milan already. His form was heavily boosted when Rocky’s Treasure bolted up in a good Grade 2 Novices Chase at Doncaster in a very good time. Santini barring no accidents looks to cement his favouritism for the RSA at festival and the 7/2 should be taken now before this race.
2.30 Christmas Hurdle Grade 1
BUVEUR D’AIR hasn’t been beaten for 33 months and in his 12 victories since then his added 7 Grade 1’s to his plaque. The superstar looked better than ever when beating a race fit Samcro very easily on season debut. He won’t have to come out of 2nd gear to beat these rivals and surely won’t be denied another Grade 1 victory here.
3.05 King George VI Chase Grade 1
An absolute class renewal of Boxing’s Day feature race the King George and very excited to see Politologue over 3 miles and to see if Thistlecrack can build up on a very promising run LTO. Might Bite be the class horse of the field and could dismantle the field if back to his best and he puts a bad run LTO behind him, but BRISTOL DE MAI impressed too much LTO to not be interested in him here. He does have a reputation of only showing his best at Haydock and bouncing regularly, but trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies has said he thinks his learnt a lot about his 7-year-old and knows how to look after him better, if this is true, we could see a more consistent BDM over the coming years and see him as the star he is.
Leopardstown
2.20 Racing Post Novice Chase
Mengli Khan who was 3rd in the Supreme Novices Hurdle impressed on Chase debut, his jumping wasn’t all that great but his first in front of the public eye, he can be forgiven and will have learnt a lot, the form has taken a bit of a knock when 2nd horse disappointed NTO. One’s who form does look genuine is VOIX DU REVE, his impressive win in the Grade 2 Craddockstown Novice Chase took a big boost with the 2nd horse Hardline bolting up in a Grade 3 NTO, perhaps not the classiest in this field and has less overall potential than Mengli Khan IMO, but at present looks to have his measure.
Limerick
2.00 Novice Chase
GETABIRD impressed tons on chasing debut, he was very slick over his fences and looks far superior to any of these rivals, the step up in trip looks like it will see further improvement, plus the softer ground will be perfect, bar no accidents he’ll win as far as he wants.
