Boxing Day Best Bets Down Royal - I will start with a little about Gordon Elliott’s dominance at this fixture in recent seasons. In last 10 years, Elliott has won 17 of the 70 races run at this meeting, that’s almost 25% of the races. To put it into context, next trainer on the list has just 5 winners in same period, that is the local trainer Colin McBratney, with Noel Meade back in 3rd with 4 wins. Elliott’s record at this fixture has been improving year on year with 8 winners and 8 other placers from 23 runners in last 3 seasons, only 3 of the 7 unplaced horses were priced under 10/1. In fact, all 17 of Elliott’s winners have been priced under 10/1, that is 17 winners from 40 runners in this price category, returning LSP of +29 pts at SP, so if past trends continue, I wouldn’t put anyone off putting his shorter priced runners in a multiple bet.
I have listed the single bets I have placed so far, and reasons given below.
12:00 - Grotesque @ 2/1
1:00 - Milan Flyer (e/w) @ 20/1
1:35 - Calicojack @ 5/2
2:45 - Better Back Bob (e/w) @ 14/1
3:20 - Valdieu @ 15/8
12:00 - Gordon Elliott (4 wins) and Noel Meade (2 wins) between them have won 6 of the 9 runnings of this. Favourites have won 6 times, 8 of the 9 winners have come from first 3 in betting with biggest priced winner at 8/1. This looks quite open due to the fact that 7 of the 12 runners are making their chasing debut, and most of those with chasing experience look beatable. Snugsborough Hall with a rating of 116 is the best of those with experience, and he should run well but GROTESQUE has achieved same rating over hurdles and as he is expected to make a better chaser, I prefer him out of the two market leaders. Noel Meade also has a good record in this with 2 wins and 3 places from 8 runners, and his runner Getaway Kid also has good place chance but for win purposes I have backed Grotesque @ 2/1 and in forecast with Snugsborough Hall & Getaway Kid.
12:30 - not had a bet in this race yet, Ticket To Ride is respected because of his trainer, but form doesn’t warrant a price of 11/8. Bective Cave (7/1) placed 3rd in a stronger race last time and he has only had 4 runs over fences so far, he heads my shortlist ahead of Allduckornodinner, Drummullagh Rocky, Coolnagorna Giggs & Shaluna.
1:00 - Gordon Elliott (Kruzhlinin) is 2 from 7 and Enda Bolger (Stand Up And Fight) is 3 from 5 in this race, so no surprise to see those two at head of betting. I prefer Elliott’s runner of the two, Sizing Coal & Coastal Tiep also have chances but I have tried MILAN FLYER (20/1) who wasn’t beaten far by Coastal Tiep last time but is a much bigger price and could run well.
1:35 - this looks a good maiden hurdle, CALICOJACK (5/2) has already finished ahead of his two market rivals Sinoria & Invincible Cave when 3 of them finished 2nd, 4th & 5th respectively at Gowran Park last month. All 3 were making their hurdling debut, and I see no reason why Calicojack can’t beat them again. Small forecasts with Kalum River & Rakhine State.
2:10 - no bet, Melly And Me could run well and Pilot Station has place chances.
2:45 - local trainers have struggled at this fixture in last 3 seasons, with just 3 wins from 134 runners but two of those 3 wins have come in this race. It’s bit of a long shot but I have backed 12yo BETTER BACK BOB (14/1), who is returning from a 400+ day absence but has won here before, and also run well when placing on both previous runs after such a long absence. Trainer’s 3 previous runners in the race were all unplaced but two of them ran well just finishing out of places including one after a similar absence. Probably won’t win, but I think he has place chances. Mistiness & Boris Boru are another couple that could run well at big prices.
3:20 - VALDIEU (15/8) has finished 2nd on his last 3 starts, but one of those was here behind the highly regarded Malone Road. That form makes him the one to beat.
Good luck.