DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
SATURDAY DECEMBER 27
12.00 CHEPSTOW
TENNESSEE TANGO couldn’t lay a glove on the likes of Gentleman Taboot and Klub De Reve at Exeter last time out, but it was still a big step in the right direction after wind surgery and despite facing a couple of previous winners with affair degree of ability, Joe Tizzard’s inmate can more than hold his own.
As we saw yesterday at Kempton with the runner-up from the race at the west country venue, the form/speed figure from 22 days ago is very strong and even getting beaten 13 lengths still reads well in the context of today’s race.
Disappointing the time before when only fifth to the useful Sober Glory over today’s C&D, hopefully his wind has been corrected well enough for him to perform better than that display, and the least of his expectations today would be to make the frame.
TENNESSEE TANGO – 1-point each-way@6-1
2.50 CHEPSTOW
It has been well documented the standard of Welsh National has deteriorated in recent times but at least we have Haiti Couleurs in this year’s field to provide a touch of class to proceedings.
Rebecca Curtis’ star, however, does have to overcome an uncharacteristically poor run last time out and, on this occasion, the percentage call is to look elsewhere in the direction of GIT MAKER and COLLECTORS ITEM.
The former has already proven his stamina with his excellent effort in the Scottish National two years ago and his preparations for this contest were given a nice fine tune when he finished a creditable third over hurdles on his first start for 243 days.
A previous course winner over hurdles, which is another important factor with many Welsh National victors, Jamie Snowden’s inmate is a must for most shortlists.
The latter also has useful form over today’s course courtesy of his fine effort here last time out behind Jubilee Express and considering that was his first run for 224 days, he entitled to come on for the run.
A dyed-in-the-wool stayer who will appreciate the step up to this sort of trip, the eight-year-old is fancied to continue the decent run of his stable.
GIT MAKER- ½ point each-way@17-2 (five places)
COLLECTORS ITEM – ½ point each-way@10-1 (five places)
3.00 LEOPARDSTOWN
A multitude of permutations for this valuable prize but MIDNIGHT OUR FRED could well turn out to be the answer if capable of running close to a similar level he achieved in this race last season.
A lightly raced individual in recent times, he was trained with this race in mind twelve months ago and if it wasn’t for the presence of the well-treated Percival Legallois, the eight-year-old would have landed the long-term plan.
Up to the point where he was mugged on the long run-in, Johnny Flavin’s inmate had jumped like a buck throughout the three-mile journey and with the strong possibility he will be given licence to attack from the front again, the first-time cheekpieces will hopefully focus his mind well enough for him to maintain the advantage throughout.
MIDNIGHT OUR FRED – ½ point each-way@
6.30 WOLVERHAMPTON
RAJAPOUR roared back to form with a vengeance over today’s C&D last time out and with the first-time visor seen as the contributory factor to his turnaround in fortunes, David O’Meara’s inmate is fancied to repeat the dose with the headgear still in operation.
The five-year-old had been out of sorts prior to arriving at the Dunstall venue for the first time but his fall from grace meant he was in a low Class 5 grade for the first time, and he didn’t need a second invitation to take advantage.
In what turned out to be a strongly run race for a race of its kind, the son of Almanzor travelled well before finding the necessary requirements in the latter stages and with the clock being stopped at very healthy digits, a run of a similar magnitude can see him hard to beat.
RAJAPOUR – 1-point each-way@6-1 (four places)