Ascot
12.45 Rocky Creek showed plenty of promise on his hurdles debut at Exeter and can go one better here.
1.55 Hazy Tom is unbeaten and clearly has an outstanding chance here. On the debit side his jumping hasn’t always been fluent. Peckhamecho has won his last two races but has a tendency to be a bit keen. Molotof was an impressive winner at Wincanton and followed up at Haydock beating a useful recruit from the flat. The mares Heather Royale and Thestrawberryone are outsiders to consider. I fancy Molotof to get the better of Hazy Tom and Peckhamecho.
2.30. Frascati Park has won twice over fences, both at Carlisle and is a course winner at Ascot. Chablais jumped markedly tom his left at Kempton and will need to eliminate the problem if he is to score here. Kumbeshwar made a winning start to his career over fences at Hereford. It was not a strong race but he did it nicely. A winner over hurdles in France Pacha du Poldar won on his UK debut over fences at Sandown. I fancy Kumbeshwar and Pacha du Poldar to male their 4 year old allowance count. Slight preference is for the former.
3.05 The lightly raced Our Father looks the one to beat.
3.40 There are plenty of interesting prospects on show here. Josh’s Dreamway and Scholastica are a couple from smaller stables that should run well.
Uttoxeter
12.05 Hereford bumper winner Real Milan is likely to be a threat but Tarn Hows looks the one to be on. Runner up twice at this track over 2 miles he should be better still now he tackles a longer trip.
12.35 Point to point winner Dannancey’s Hill was 2nd here in a bumper and is preferred to the main danger Triptico who was 4th in a fair race at Exeter.
1.10 Basford Bob has been let down by his jumping and I will pass him by. My short list comprises Kauto Relko, Tornado Bob and Master Hyde. Tornado Bob was perhaps a little unlucky when falling on his chase debut and is worth another chance.
2.20 Saint Like and Flying Award are both on my pre season list of horses to follow. Saint Luke is yet to find his form this term and I will side with Flying Award who should be all the better for his run at Exeter when 4th last month.
Christmas turf trivia
The Welsh Grand National used to be run in February but after several races lost to the weather the date was switched to December in 1979 when the race was won by Peter Scot.
ahorse 