This year the Christmas cranberry sauce has been made using four tablespoonsful of 2015 late bottled vintage port - Graham's, of course - and now, well, I'm obliged to polish off the rest.
That's no particular hardship, you understand, as I do enjoy the odd snifter at this time of year but, on sober reflection, I should point out it does very little to help with those tricky Christmas wagers.
Rain has certainly arrived - the local parade of shops resembled a scene from Blade Runner earlier today - and apparently 18mm of the wet stuff fell at Kempton where the going for the King George meeting is now described as soft.
Three of the four races to be televised from the track have just five declared and the King George nine.
From a betting perspective the small fields don't generate much interest although 16/1 about Royal Pagaille in the main event might look fair value should the going deteriorate further.
I've started work on the Welsh Grand National (2.50 Chepstow, Tuesday).
The trends seem to point to a horse aged between six and eight years of age that has previous form at the track and is burdened with a light(ish) weight.
Ask Me Early fits the bill but in terms of quality this year's race would struggle to compete with the majority of renewals over the past ten years.
At the moment I'm considering Fortescue at a bigger price (20/1) as I believe connections have had this as a target.
After a pipe opener in a Bangor novice hurdle in November, Henry Daly's charge raced in rear in the Becher Chase at Aintree three weeks ago and looked one of the first beaten; however, he made eye-catching late headway from three out to eventually finish fourth, beaten ten lengths.
Granted, he has his share of weight (11-6) but, if confirmed, regular pilot Hugh Nugent can claim three, and form last season behind Five Star Getaway and Royal Pagaille reads well.
I'll try to post a preview of this race after racing on Boxing Day.
In the meantime, I think it's time for another glass...
With very best wishes to all readers this Christmas time.
3 comments:
Editorial advice gratefully received from Mrs Tips
Season's greetings, thanks for your missives during 2022 and best wishes for a successful 2023.
The system’s idea of the finishing order of the King George is:
#,Horse
1,L'HOMME PRESSE(FR)
2,ENVOI ALLEN(FR)
3,BRAVEMANSGAME(FR)
4,AHOY SENOR(IRE)
5,ROYALE PAGAILLE(FR)
6,HITMAN(FR)
7,ELDORADO ALLEN(FR)
8,FRODON(FR)
9,MILLERS BANK(GB)
L’Homme Presse deserves to head the market following his LTO win at Newcastle under 12-00.
Envoi Allen [EA] ran well enough over two miles at the Festival & Punchestown and proved he stays three miles when winning at Down Royal on his seasonal return. As an 8yo there is a chance EA has further improvement over the longer trip and is perhaps an EW play at 7/1.
All the best.
TW
Season's greetings, TW, and thanks for providing your ratings throughout the year.
Good luck for 2023!
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