DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
FRIDAY DECEMBER 26
11.57 FONTWELL
Nick Schofield has already begun to show signs that he has what it takes to make the grade as a trainer and one of his two winners so far to date, MORNING MAYHEM (NAP), rates a confident choice to follow up his recent Uttoxeter success.
The four-year-old rated a high-risk proposition at the Midland venue following two unpromising starts for the Lambourn handler but he turned out to be a total revelation, running out a wildly impressive winner.
Given a patient ride by Kielan Woods, the son of Dragon Dancer eased into contention going well approaching three out and from that point, he found an impressive change of gear relative to the grade to pull clear of his toiling rivals.
Just to back up the visual aspect of his performance, his overall speed figure and final lap sectionals compared very favourably with the novice hurdle won by Minella Jury and based on those calculations, a mandatory penalty should prove a drop in the ocean for the lightly raced four-year-old if anywhere near the same form.
MORNING MAYHEM – 2-point win@2-1
2.30 KEMPTON
A stellar renewal in prospect of this traditional Christmas treat and JANGO BAIE rates the percentage call to bat away the Irish raiders and put his potential Gold Cup credentials firmly in the shop window.
Nicky Henderson’s inmate took seamlessly to fences as a novice last season and his victory in the Arkle Chase, which took one or two by surprise at the time, has subsequently gone on to stand the test, with all four of his rivals going on to boost the form this term.
Looking back at that strong two-mile contest from last March, it was his stamina that gained the day, and connections wasted no time this campaign in a bid to exploit his strengths, pitching him into the Grade 2 Ladbroke 1965 Chase at Ascot over 2m5f.
In what turned out to be an extremely strongly run affair, the six-year-old travelled beautifully behind pacesetting Gidleigh Park and when asked to go and seal the deal two out, he powered his way all the way to the line to score by a convincing nine lengths.
On the evidence of that career-high effort on the numbers, he shaped as though an extra three furlongs would play even more into his strengths and if that view does end up being the case, he is going to take some stopping.
As for the opposition, obviously the pair who fought out the finish in the John Durkan, Gaelic Warrior and Fact To File, have to be respected but they both endured very hard races for their first starts of the season and, in any case, there has to be a doubt whether the latter truly stays this trip.
The other main player according to the market, The Jukebox Man, has a sexy profile, but he has yet to run a big speed figure in any race he has contested, and he might find today’s opposition a bit of a culture shock.
JANGO BAIE –1-point win@4-1
3.32 MARKET RASEN
It is interesting to note Henry Oliver has captured this prize twice in recent times and NOWMELAD could easily add his name to the roll of honour based on his performance at Uttoxeter last time out.
Chasing a hot pace set by Authodidacte from the outset at the Midland venue, the six-year-old was still moving like the likeliest winner turning for home but despite staying on willing all the way to the line, he just couldn’t quite peg back an opponent who was clearly running to a level way beyond the grade (now rated 127).
The fact the first two home maintained a huge advantage over the field throughout backed up the very smart speed figure for the race and providing Lee Edwards can switch his mount off behind the likely pace set by The Long Walk, everything looks set fair for a bold display.
NOWMELAD – 1-point each-way@11-2
5.35 WOLVERHAMPTON
If it wasn’t for bad luck, WARRNAMBOOL wouldn’t have had any luck at all on his last two starts at Lingfield at least and with the potential of today’s track being less problematic for Michael Heady’s gelding, he has a decent chance of finally getting off the mark.
Held up presumably to get the trip on his first try beyond a mile at the Surrey venue two starts ago, the three-year-old received no run whatsoever after being behind a wall of horses dropping back into lap and when returning to the same venue last time out, he once again got stopped at a crucial stage when seemingly travelling with plenty to give.
Whether he would have won for certain each time is open to debate, but he is most definitely knocking at the door and with any amount of luck in running at a track that often plays into to the hands of late closers, the son of Reliable Man has a golden opportunity to score at the 17th attempt.
WARRNAMBOOL – 1-point each-way@9-2