13:05 Aintree – William Hill Formby Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) (Formerly registered as the Tolworth Hurdle) – Jango Baie
JANGO Baie represents one of Nicky Henderson’s most promising prospects this season, after he was bought for £170,000 and claimed a dramatic close victory over Tellherthename at Ascot last month. He put in the hard work and tired the majority of the field, after Nico de Boinville set him free after some keen travelling early on. The runner-up, who won his next start, headed this runner before he fought back well to win by a nose. the run displayed an impressive engine, some clean jumping and good battling qualities. In recent years Nicky Henderson has won the Tolworth with none other than Constitution Hill, and although it would be a tough ask for this horse to match the achievements of his stablemate, he would appear to be a very smart horse who is in with a great chance of winning his first grade one.
13:10 Leopardstown – Mercedes-Benz South Dublin Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 2) – Mighty Bandit
GORDON Elliott’s gelding by Order Of St George caught the eye when winning his maiden towards the end of last month. after a race that was ran well he accelerated impressively to win by nine lengths and increasing as he hit the line. Behind him were Harsh who finished in third and stablemate Pacini in fourth, who both ran out as easy winners in their next starts. Interestingly, as reported by the Racing Post, this horse beat the time set later in the card by State Man by two seconds, although it should be noted State Man was carrying 12 lbs more. Jack Kennedy takes the ride on this horse over stablemate Kala Conti, who will be likely to make the running as she did in a narrow defeat to Nurburgring, who also runs here. Gordon Elliott has trained a few previous winners of this race in recent times and Mighty Bandit appears to justify favouritism in this renewal.
27th December
14:30 Kempton – Ladbrokes Desert Orchid Handicap Chase – Haddex Des Obeaux
DESPITE being near the top end of the weights, Haddex Des Obeaux should go close based on the quality he has shown in two defeats this season. He was only carrying 2lbs less when he put in a very impressive shift at Cheltenham in October, and after making the running looked the likely winner when he fell at the last. The race produced subsequent winners in Triple Trade and Madara, and Notlongtillmay would go on to finish a runner-up to the impressive Stage Star in the Paddy Power Gold Cup. Haddex Des Obeaux then took a massive step up in class when he ran in the grade one Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown earlier this month and finished a respectable third. This was just four lengths behind the multiple grade-one winner Jonbon and just over two lengths behind Edwardstone in second. A drop back down to handicapping, with many of the runners carrying similarly high weights may see him return to winning form. Boothill appears to be the toughest opponent on paper, with form ahead of Triple Trade whilst carrying 12 stone to win at Ascot last month. The run behind Jonbon is the deciding factor in this pick however because Haddex Des Obeaux coped so well. To add to this, a recent move to Nicky Henderson’s yard can only be positive given the success of Seven Barrows.
Hawkinsport 