Kauto to be Kempton Star again
IF the weather forecast is to be believed, then tomorrow’s Ascot meeting looks highly unlikely to go ahead. However, they have been wrong before and for that reason I’ll give you a couple of horses to look out for just in case.
Firstly, MILLE CHIEF looks terrific each-way value at 7/1 with Paddy Power in the Ladbroke at 2.35pm. Alan King’s four-year-old has always been well regarded and is over a stone better off with his Ascot conqueror Aegean Dawn for just a handful of lengths. He is reportedly working extremely well at home and may finally bag a big prize.
The only other one to pass a word on for is Philip Hobbs’ PERSIAN SNOW in the Bumper. The gelding won impressively at the track at the back end of October and has a lofty reputation at home.
Looking at today’s action and TOUBAB is very hard to oppose in the 1.35pm, but a better bet may well be Nicky Henderson’s SURFING in the following race. The French import should make a successful debut over fences before going on to better things.
As this is the final Punter of the year, I will also try and point you in the direction of a few winners over the festive period. It’s impossible to oppose KAUTO STAR in his bid to land an historic fifth King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day. He can still be backed at evens with Paddy Power and I’d be amazed if he didn’t start at nearer 8/13 come the day. I’m also tempted to take some of the 7/2 available with William Hill about LONG RUN in the market without Kauto. He didn’t run badly in the Paddy Power Gold Cup and will be much better suited going right-handed on a flat track.
Synchronised has been all the rage for the Welsh National in recent weeks and is down to as low as 11/2 in a place. He looks the ideal type for a slog around Chepstow, but I’d be amazed if he didn’t trade at a bigger price in-play on Betdaq. At the prices, I’d far rather take a chance on MAKTU who is an all-important course winner, goes in the mud, has a terrific attitude and looks set to race off a flyweight. He can be backed at 12/1 with Paddy Power and is decent each-way value.
Finally, as this is a racing column, I should be telling you all to snap up the evens available with a few firms about AP McCoy winning this Sunday’s BBC Sports Personality of the Year award. He is without doubt the most worthy winner and even if you don’t back him, please pick up the phone and support him. However, from a betting point of view, the 2/1 available with bet365 about GRAEME McDOWELL winning the event ‘without McCoy’ looks excellent value.