Ffos Las
1.10 Charm School and Ashbrittle are interesting recruits from the flat. Charm School was with John Gosden and although far from consistent was good enough on his day to win a November Handicap at Doncaster. He was too keen on his hurdles debut at Chepstow but he has ability and handled soft ground on the flat. Ashbrittle was a stayer on the flat rated 92 and is the sort of horse David Pipe does well with.
2.45 Horsham Lad, a multiple winner of point to points won at Carlisle before being hampered and unseating his rider last time at Newbury. He has a good record on soft ground and Paddy Brennan won on the only other occasion he has ridden him.
Ludlow
2.35 Time for Spring was a beaten favourite at Cheltenham last time but may be better going right handed. He probably doesn’t want very soft ground.
3.10 Florafern was runner up at Huntingdon when the only mare in the race. Back racing against her own sex she should go well.
Christmas turf trivia
Desert Orchid and Kauto Star (pictured below) are the only horses to have won the King George 4 times. Kauto Star’s victories came in consecutive years.
From the Christmas archives
In 1992 Martin Pipe saddled the first 4 home in the Welsh Grand National. The quartet in finishing order were Run for free, Riverside Boy, Minnehoma and Bonanza Boy. Run for free went on to win the Scottish National later that season while Minnehoma won the 1994 Aintree Grand National.
Picture courtesy of the artist Lisa Miller.
ahorse 