DAY two of the Kempton Christmas Festival features the Grade 2 Desert Orchid Chase with Edwardstone Unibet 1/2 on looking to follow up on his commanding victory in the Tingle Creek at Sandown, when beating Greaneteen by nine lengths in tremendous style. As a result, the handicapper raised Edwardstone’s official rating from 161 to 170, which is fair and with ground in his favour it is hard to oppose the favourite, as main rival Nube Negra if running is more effective with quicker conditions. Captain Guinness, who won on seasonal debut in a Grade 2 at Navan and has good graded form from last season has each way chances as does Funambule Sivola. Funambule Sivola was second in the Champion Chase, then on seasonal debut in the Tingle Creek was badly impended at the pond fence and finished last of six in a hot Tingle Creek behind Edwardstone. He will be closer to the favourite Edwardstone in the Desert Orchid this time and has definite place claims.     

The Welsh Grand National at Chepstow is one of my favourite races of the season and Quick Wave heads the market after his emphatic London National victory at Sandown, with The Big Dog one of the main contenders. However, The Galloping Bear, my selection below, makes most appeal as an improving stayer with a nice weight, who will handle conditions.

There is plenty of racing action so #goracing.

Enjoy whether at a racecourse or watching #athome on ITV and Racing TV.

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year.

Cheers!

The Wine Tipster

1.20 Kempton – Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase Grade 2 (2m)

Lac Du Constance won his three hurdle races well and then easily took victory at Kempton on soft going on his novice chase debut. He is an exciting prospect and Lac Du Constance can come out on top here in a smart renewal.

1.40 Chepstow – Finale Juvenile Hurdle Grade 2 (2m)

Comfort Zone is useful on the flat and has taken really well to hurdles, as he was successful in a big-field maiden at Navan on debut by six lengths and bettered that when third to Lossiemouth in a Grade 3 at Fairyhouse last time out at the beginning of the month. That form is head and shoulders above what the rest of the field have achieved to date, and merely a reproduction of it makes him hard to beat. Importantly, he is not ground dependent either.

2.10 Chepstow – Racing Club Handicap Hurdle (2m 7½f)

Bells Of Peterboro won this corresponding race by 22 lengths last year on soft going, and remarkably, given the ease of that win, is only 3lb higher here. The Tim Vaughan yard have clearly had this race in mind and Bells Of Peterboro has raced over fences on his last four starts, with a return to hurdles clearly looking sure to suit. Bells Of Peterboro has to be in the mix here as he looks to follow up on last year’s success and claim his third victory over hurdles at Chepstow.

2.50 Chepstow – Welsh Grand National Premier Handicap Chase (3m 6½f)

The Galloping Bear (nap) was a ready winner of the Surrey National last season at Lingfield and then the Grand National Trial at Haydock on his next run (lost race later, banned substance found) and looked a stayer going places for the Ben Jones team. The Galloping Bear had a warm up race over hurdles at Carlisle last month over three miles and one furlong when he ran perfectly respectively, having weakened late on after throwing down a challenge two out.

Musical Slave is a classy individual, who was marked up in my Unibet blog for the big handicap chase at Sandown in April when second to Hewick over three miles five furlongs when staying on well. This followed a win at the Esher track and a victory at Haydock, as this nine-year-old started to fulfil the promise he had first shown in 2019. Musical Slave looked in need of the run when fifth to Fontaine Collonges last month at Haydock and providing the ground doesn’t get really testing then he can run a big race.

Cyclop is a big price and if the heavens really open, he will be staying on right at the finish for a place. He has a very consistent record in December with form figures of 41F (would have won) 1431233 and is twice a winner at Chepstow from four starts in the testing conditions. He stuck on for third earlier this month in the Borders National as he continued his good seasonal form.