Nigel Twiston-Davies – My Runners 16th & 17th December

Nigel was hassled but excited this morning as we caught him between morning work and setting off to the races for one of his favourite weekends outside of the Cheltenham Festival.

Nigel’s Charity Bet

As always, we’ve given Nigel a £50 charity bet to place on a horse of his choice – and this week it will be on……

The New One 3.05pm Cheltenham Saturday

“Not only is he one of our stable stars but he seems to belong to the public as well these days who have certainly taken to him over the years. He is looking for his fourth win in this race which is an incredible thing to say, and he seems as good as ever if not better at home so I have to be hopeful. He does have to give six pounds to My Tent Or Yours which won’t be easy but he gave him eight pounds and still won last year so I have to be pretty hopeful of another big win from him this afternoon.”

If The New One wins we’ll donate the winnings to the Injured Jockeys Fund!

Saturday runners:

Jameson 12.45pm Cheltenham

“Not much of a field with just the four runners and it does look as if mine has a bit to find if he wants to win here. He is improving all the time and won’t be disgraced, and we will obviously pick up some prize money for the owners regardless which is a bonus.”

The Hollow Ginge 12.55pm Hereford

“Only a youngster at the age of four and I believe he will keep on improving so ignore him at your peril. He does have to give six pounds or more away all round after winning at Newton Abbot in October and has a red-hot favourite to beat, but if the jolly fluffs his lines I would like to think we could take full advantage.”

Foxtail Hill and Splash Of Ginge 1.20pm Cheltenham

“I won this with Double Ross in 2013 and am double-handed this season and I am hoping they will both run decent races. The favourite could prove hard to beat if I’m honest, but Splash Of Ginge won over course and distance which has to be a positive while Foxtail Hill impressed two races ago even if he did disappoint me a little last time out when only eighth in the same race. Two places will leave me smiling though they are both here to win if they are good enough at these weights.”

Count Meribel 2.30pm Cheltenham

“It is hopefully hard to knock a horse who has won all three races this season and he just keeps on improving race after race. He will need to pull out a little bit more here but he is a decent enough sort and a win is most certainly not beyond him here.”

Thunder Sheik 2.40pm Hereford

Just the five in the race and although I am wary that he may not appreciate ground too much he will at least pick up a bit of prize money for connections here.”

Ballybolley 3.20pm Doncaster

“Back up to three miles today for the first time since finishing second at Sandown in November 2016 but he may improve for the trip these days, and is not out of this competitive contest. He can be a bit free on occasion but I think he will get more time to settle now and I would be surprised if he doesn’t at least threaten the places, even at these weights.”

Topfthecotswolds 3.45pm Hereford

“He is a very nice young horse with a big future ahead of him and I like him an awful lot. He may find this going a bit on the soft side which is my big concern but if he handles it he is more than good enough to win and is one for your notebooks for the future both over hurdles and beyond.”

Sunday’s Runners:

Everybody’s Talkin 1.30pm Southwell

“He is proving a little tough to place and would probably be better over a bit further to be honest but suitable races are few and far between of late. He has won a point to point and is more of a long-term project, though he will be running on late through beaten horses with any luck.”

Ballygomartin 2.05pm Southwell

A four-year-old Scorpion gelding, he won his bumper at Bangor in October and followed that with a fourth at Cheltenham last time out and makes his hurdling debut here. He may find this two and a half miles on the sharp side,  but he is a very nice horse and will win races with today a distinct possibility if the race is run at a decent pace.”

Nigel Twiston-Davies will be back each and every week with his thoughts exclusively for myracing.com as well as every day over the major meetings! To see what our tipsters are backing in all the weekend’s races, check out our free daily horse racing tips!