Join

Best bets for Boxing Day: Dave Nevison marks your card

By Racing TV

Last Updated: Tue 5 Dec 2023

Paul Nicholls and Nicky Henderson are putting up a spirited defence against Willie Mullins and Henry De Bromhead in the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase at Kempton Park on Boxing Day.

Clan Des Obeaux and Chantry House certainly are ideal candidates for this race and the Irish challengers may have jumping frailties and/or need a stiffer test.

If this race doesn’t stay with the home team, they will be looking at March with very deep foreboding. A great race is in prospect.

I fancy my chances of a Trixie in the Wincanton handicaps plus have a fancy at Kempton on a tremendously busy afternoon on the channel.

1.28 Wincanton: George Bancroft at 5-2 with bet365 and Sky Bet

Finished: PU SP: 3/1

Let his supporters down when unseating at the second hurdle last time but otherwise has proved a good purchase out of Roger Varian’s yard, progressing on the Flat and running very well in two completed hurdles races for Charlie Longsdon.

He made all to win twice on the Flat and in this big field of largely moderate runners I am wondering if such tactics might serve well around this tight track.

He ran very well at Taunton the last time he completed and might have come up against a good one there. He clearly handles a tight right-handed track as well as soft ground, should that materialise.

2.03 Wincanton: Roque It at 11-4 with Betfair and Paddy Power

Finished: 7thSP: 9/2

Has only gone up 6lb for making an impressive chasing debut and I will be very surprised if this horse doesn’t prove to be much better than 0-125 class over fences.

He is related to good staying chasers and, though running well in the main, definitely looked too slow in his hurdle races.

He looked a different proposition when Nicholls upped him in trip and unleashed him over fences at Taunton. He jumped very well in the main, with only a slight mistake when the race was won at the last. This increase further in trip will suit him perfectly well and for me he is the day’s best bet.

taunton

13:55 Taunton - Thursday November 25

2.38 Wincanton: Flemcara at a general 7-2

Finished: 3rdSP: 5/1

Was clearly expected to need the run at Newbury on his reappearance when going off at 40/1 but ran a blinder ending up just getting beat a neck after making the running.

It is very tough to adopt front-running tactics on that big galloping track and Flemcara looks as though he may be an improved performer this term at the age of 9.

Wincanton suits his running style perfectly and he has only been raised 3lb for that gallant effort. He is another who will certainly not mind any rain.

3.40 Kempton: Ecco at 10-1 with Ladbrokes

Finished: 5thSP: 17/2

Might just be an each-way price and, given how well he runs this track, could be the value in what is always a competitive event.

Ecco was a good second behind a back-to-form Henderson runner in this race last year and then went on to win a Jumpers’ Bumper on the all-weather here before coming up against the massively improving Hometown Boy over course and distance in February.

He has been dropped a couple of pounds after running out of the frame on his reappearance but if he comes on for that effort, as seems likely, that could well help. He won’t mind the predicted rain and I imagine he has been aimed at this.

Racing TV

9.3K Videos
221.0K Subscribers
193.2M Views

RACING TV is the home of British and Irish racing, showcasing live and exclusive horse racing action from 61 of the very best racecourses in the UK and Ireland in stunning HD. Our dedicated horse racing channel was set up in 2004 by our racecourse shareholders and is dedicated to broadcasting more than 800 live race meetings a year with commentary, debate and tipping from 35 of the UK's top racecourses and all 26 Irish racecourses. All Racing TV profits are returned to its racecourse shareholders to support the sport. Racing TV goes out to over 65,000 commercial and residential subscribers. Tune in by going to Sky 424 (UK, NI, ROI), Virgin Media 536 (UK, NI), 411 (ROI). You can also watch Racing TV at racingtv.com and on the iPhone/iPad app, Android app and mobile-optimised website. Find out more about the Racing TV large screen app at www.racingtv.com/largescreenapp Followers must be 18+ and please gamble responsibly: gambleaware.org