Boxing Day racing tips from Dave Nevison: Lion ready to roar at Wincanton

Many may disagree but I think that the Cheltenham Festival picture, at least in some races, does not alter much from Boxing Day until March and this year I am confident enough to have an ante-post treble on horses who I cannot see doing anything but shorten in the next 11 weeks.

Epatante jumps faster than Istabraq did, for my money, and she was the best by some way last season and nothing has emerged to challenge her for the Champion Hurdle since then. The mare’s allowance is an absolute gift for her.

Shishkin was sublime on his debut over fences at Kempton in a slick time and his Arkle credentials are obvious.

Meanwhile, Monkfish is still 3-1 for what was the RSA Novices’ Chase. Given he was not bottomed by his success in the Albert Bartlett last season, and impressed on his chasing bow, he looks ideal for a race which few end up in.

I have just taken 20-1 about the Epatantem Shishkin and Monkfish treble as I expect all three to win Grade One events over Christmas.

I’m very hopeful that I will have a good value ante-post slip by the New Year. In the meantime, I’m also banking on the three handicappers below doing the Boxing Day business for us. Merry Christmas all.

Several things have been changed with this horse and hopefully it will make him the winner that he looked certain to be on his debut in a bumper at Fontwell.

David Bass takes over from a 7lb claimer for this, his third outing over fences. He has run creditably in both runs and would have been even closer but for a mistake four out last time.

He has been staying on well in his races and the step up in trip would certainly seem to be a good move. He has been dropped in the weights, which will offset the absence of a claim.

A look back to his run in a novices’ handicap hurdle at Newbury shows he can compete in strong races and not many of his rivals have great potential.

Given the number of times this horse goes off favourite and gets beaten, he has to go down as a disappointment. That was certainly when he was tried over fences on his only run this season.

However, he returns over hurdles and to the scene of his impressive course and distance win, almost two years ago.

He was one of the favourites for the big staying handicaps at Aintree after landing a touch that day but got stuck up the inside, and he then met trouble when trying to qualify for the Pertemps last season.

Hopefully, the 7lb that Kevin Brogan will claim here will make the difference, although I don’t believe it is his mark that has been the issue. A big race still awaits.

It’s not the first time I’ve tipped him and regular followers will be well in front with him as he won the Ascot Stakes for us at a big price at the Royal Meeting.

I am determined to be on him in a big-field handicap over jumps and am convinced he is handicapped to land one.

He is a horse who has been used to educate his jockey, Max Browne, who was on board as a 7lb claiming amateur a few times last term.

At that stage the horse knew more about racing than the jockey but Browne has since ridden his first winner recently and was also trusted on a big gamble at Haydock recently. He did well on a horse which didn’t stay on that occasion and I feel Coeur De Lion may well benefit from the step back from 3m here.

Now that he is a conditional, Browne can claim 10lb and this race looks perfect for Couer De Lion given the big field, guaranteed pace and a falling mark.