Here’s hoping we can pull a cracker from five interesting runners on Boxing Day
December 24
Alan has an early start on Boxing Day as Es Perfecto is in the opener at Kempton, trying to go two places better than he did in this novice handicap chase last year.
Es Perfecto has been a model of consistency and has only finished out of the first three once in his last eight races. He has taken to fences well and also likes Kempton as he made a winning reappearance over the Sunbury course last month.
Alan said:”This is the perfect race for Es Perfecto as it’s a 0-130 and his rating went up to 126 after his Kempton win. He deserved that first win over fences as he ran some solid races last season without getting his head in front. Gavin Sheehan has got to know him well and Es Perfecto must have a big chance again.”
The same could be said about Masaccio in the Grade 1 Kauto Star Novices’ Chase, which has cut up to just five runners. A smart novice hurdler last season, he produced a career-best performance when runner-up to The Jukebox Man in the Grade 2 John Francome Novices’ Chase at Newbury last month.
That race was over two and a half miles, but Masaccio, who was staying on strongly at the finish, should appreciate this extra half-mile, and he only has two lengths to find to gain his revenge on Harry Redknapp’s horse.
Alan said:”Masaccio looked to get a bit outpaced at the cross-fence and turning for home at Newbury, but I was very happy how well he stayed on up the straight. He is going the right way and he relaxes beautifully, so he gives himself every chance of staying the longer trip, He has been A1 since Newbury, and he deserves a shot at this race.”
Our third Kempton runner is Nap Hand, who makes his jumping debut in the maiden hurdle. Alan added:”He did well on the Flat this year, winning twice, and he has schooled well over hurdles.
“There might be slight doubts about his stamina to make a jumper, but he looked to get a mile and a quarter on soft ground at Newbury, and the best place to put him to the test over two miles is Kempton.”
Blazeon Five has her first run for Barbury in the mares novice hurdle at Wincanton, having been off the track through injury for more than a year. She will inevitably improve for whatever she does here after a long absence, but she was very useful on the Flat, winning five times for Roger Teal, including twice at Ascot, and Alan, who has been pleased with her schooling, says she is ready to start back.
We just have the one Flat runner on Boxing Day, the smart Paradias in the mile and a half handicap at Wolverhampton. He showed he was a class performer last summer, winning at Glorious Goodwood and finishing second at Epsom on Oaks day, and he ran well enough on his all-weather debut at Southwell last month to suggest he has a major chance at Dunstall Park.
