The second day of the Christmas Festival at Kempton features the Desert Orchid Chase with Shishkin odds-on for Unibet Ambassador Nicky Henderson. Shishkin is receiving three pounds from Greaneteen, who won the Tingle Creek at Sandown where he performed well. It is a real bonus that Shishkin has made this meeting and I expect him to come out on top here in the Desert Orchid Chase.
Edwardstone looked very impressive at Sandown at the Tingle Creek meeting and looked hard to oppose at odds on in the Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase at 1.20.
A special mention for Eddiemaurice, trained by John Flint, who is making his sixth consecutive appearance in the Handicap Hurdle at 3.40 at Kempton. All the best to this tremendous ten-year-old.
At Chepstow the Welsh National with be very testing after the recent rainfall and Achille is worth an each way wager at Unibet 22/1 as he will certainly cope with conditions.
Enjoy whether at the races or #athome
1.55 Kempton – Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (3m ½f)
Emmpressive Lady was second last year off an official rating of 120 behind Molly Ollys Wishes and is running off a mark of 119 for this renewal. This season Emmpressive Lady has only had one start, when seventh over a shorter trip at Sandown’s Tingle Creek meeting and she will come on plenty for that run. She stayed on well last year from the last and she can run another good race this time.
2.50 Chepstow – Welsh National (3m 6½f)
Mighty Thunder (nap) is proven over marathon trips, with victories in the Edinburgh and Scottish Nationals last season and a very good second in the Midlands National. He has won over three miles and shorter trips too so has the versatility here. Mighty Thunder had a pipe-opener at the end of October in the Charlie Hall and found it all a bit quick as expected, however he retained all his enthusiasm. He cannot be ignored on his first visit to Chepstow.
Iwilldoit won the Welsh National Trial here earlier this month comfortably beating Colorado Doc, who reopposes once again. Course form is very important in the Welsh National and Secret Reprieve, the 2020 winner and in today’s lineup, had this as his prep race last year. Iwilldoit is running from six pounds out if the handicap, however he is six pounds well in so that will negate that. His previous three starts were all over hurdles and his penultimate appearance last December over fences was in the Scottish Borders National over four miles when not jumping as well as he did at Chepstow. This has very much looked the target and the Sam Thomas team have a 40% strike rate currently.
3.10 Kempton – Handicap Chase (3m)
Fortesecue for the inform Henry Daly team was a staying on seventh at 50/1 in the big Handicap Chase at Newbury in November and something of an eye-catcher in the process. I had marked him up at a big price as he had run well on seasonal debut at Kelso too, when third behind Empire De Maude and Big River. This seven-year-old is another improver who has strong place claims.
3.40 Kempton – Handicap Hurdle (2m)
The Widdow Maker is still improving and showed the benefit of a wind operation to win easily at Wincanton, when making all and finding plenty. A seven pound rise is very fair and he is proven on soft and heavy.
