The end of the year is fast approaching and no doubt everyone around you will be telling you how their year has been and what they want to happen next year. Who really cares I say! Just shut up and get on with it. When you wake up in 2014 you’ll realise that nothing has changed and that your life is still as excitng or as miserable as the day before. Right, enough of the jollieties let’s get to business.
The Welsh Grand National at Chepstow is always a gruelling race and this year it will be no different. With Tidal Bay heading the weights, this race is bottom loaded as the compression of the weights means a lot are carrying 10 stone. It wouldn’t be a surprise if the top weight was good enough and at 10s he looks like a possible bet. But the one I have had my eye on in this is Merry King. This horse has run two great races this season at Ascot and Newbury over a trip too short the first time and on ground too fast the second time. Today is the first time that this horse has the real test of stamina on soft ground he likes. I have a feeling that like Wenceslas, Merry King in the 2.35 at Chepstow will bring home a feast. Take the 10s available with bet365
Staying at Chepstow and a horse that has a good record here on soft ground is Get it On. He seems to be improving now under these conditions and he looks a fair bet at 7s with Stan James to win the 3.10
Over at Newbury, there are 2 good betting opportunities for us to get our festive teeth into. Firstly Times Remembered will enjoy the easier ground and this should bring about enough improvement to enable him to gain revenge on Creepy, so take the 7-2 with bet365 in the 1.45 . Secondly, Whisper looks like he has been found a nice opening to get off the mark this season in the 2.50, so help yourself to the 5-2 with Totesport.
Finally, over at Leoparstown, a great racecourse to visit, there is a fantastic edition of the Lexus. There are question marks about all the main protagonists which include last season’s Gold Cup 1, 2, Bobs Worth and Sir Des Champs. Throw in First Lieutenant who always runs well here and Lord Windermere who let us down in the Hennessy but who could enjoy the easier ground today, and we have the makings of a great race to watch. I suggest you put your feet up, pour a large scotch, stuff a mince pie in your face and enjoy a classic race. Happy New Year!!
