DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
MONDAY DECEMBER 29
1.00 DONCASTER
DRACO MALFOY created a favourable impression when making a successful start to his career over hurdles at Huntingdon last time out and Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls’ gelding can continue to excel in his new vocation.
The feature of his round at the Cambridgeshire track was his slick jumping and that excellent technique enabled him to save plenty of energy for the business end, the part of the race where he was most impressive.
Without being fully extended, the five-year-old posted a useful speed figure and he was arguably more convincing than his main market rival here today, Doctor Blue, who rather huffed and puffed in getting over the line at odds of 2-7 at Ascot.
Described as “not the quickest” by his connections, he is, however, a strong stayer at the trip and an aggressive ride can exploit any weaknesses in Doctor Blue.
DRACO MALFOY – 1-point win@11-4
3.00 NEWBURY
No Drame This End has been the standout performer in the 2m4f novice category so far this season and this will probably be his final race before a possible crack at the Turners Hurdle at Cheltenham.
It would come as no surprise if Paul Nicholls’ start took this along the way but KALKBRENNER and KLIMT MADRIK, however, hold solid C&D against their names, and they rate strong each-way alternatives.
The former finished ahead of the latter when making a successful rules debut at Ffos Las back in October and he posted the sort of speed figure to suggest he was well above average.
Supported in accordance with that view here last time out, all seemed to be going in his favour until a slow leap three out put him slightly on the back foot and despite still looking likely to lift the prize at the last, he was ultimately run out of the argument by his old rival.
Although he lacks the brilliance of the favourite, Ben Pauling’s inmate is an honest galloper who clearly likes a flat, left-handed track and he thoroughly deserves a crack at a race of this nature.
The latter clearly benefitted from his initial outing at the Welsh venue when turning the tables on his conqueror and he too, should in no way be underestimated based on the date he produced a month ago.
Even if he doesn’t quite come up to the level of some of his more illustrious rivals here today, he has the size and scope to make a lovely chaser further down the line, but he is still worth a small each-way interest all the same.
KALBRENNER – ½ point each-way@9-1
KLIMT MADRIK – ½ point each-way@18-1
3.20 DONCASTER
PARK TALK didn’t have the engine to match several high-profile novices at Newbury last time out, but it was a case of job well done as far as obtaining a handicap mark was concerned and it would come as something of a surprise if he wasn’t competitive on his debut in this discipline.
Time may tell, both Act Of Innocence and Sinnatra end up being top class and it was worth noting that Harry Derhan’s inmate went strongly throughout the two-mile journey until the task of maintaining the sound gallop set took over after two out.
A free-going sort who best left to express himself from the front, this sizeable chasing type should give his supporters a good spin against a more realistic set of opponents.
PARK TALK – 1-point win@