Nigel Twiston-Davies – My Runners on Boxing Day 26th December 2016

An incredibly busy Nigel Twiston-Davies has a very busy day ahead as do all the stable staff so after politely wishing him a Happy Christmas (and Nigel wishing you all the same and looking forward to working with us in 2017), and congratulating him on last weekend’s winners, we quickly got down to the nitty gritty with so many runners the length and depth of the Country.

Nigel’s Charity Bet

Blaklion 1.50pm Wetherby Monday – 7/2 Best Odds Guaranteed

A £50 win bet will be placed with any returns being donated to the Injured Jockeys Fund.

Boxing Day Runners (in race time order).

Winning Ticket 12.00pm Market Rasen

“Not the best horse in the yard to put it politely hence the need to run him in a selling handicap. He is up for sale and I’m hoping for a big run so we can sell him on to be honest, though I’d be pleasantly surprised it it were a winning one.”

Bendomingo 12.15pm Huntingdon 

“These long distance hurdles suit him down to the ground and he is in good heart at home. Faster ground would suit him better (good to soft as we write), but if it dries out enough he wont’ be far away.”

Lagavara 12.30pm Wincanton 

“Quite a hot mares novice hurdle and after her hurdling wasn’t up to the standards I expected at Uttoxeter she has been schooled at home and should do a lot better now. I expect a big run this afternoon and am pretty hopeful.”

Dawn Missile 12.45pm Huntingdon 

“The drier the ground the better for this one which he may not get of course, but I need to get a few ore races in to him as i fully expect him to slowly get better with experience. I should get a race or two out of him but he needs to learn a bit first.”

Ballyhill 12.55pm Kempton

“He will be putting in a big run here and is the highest rated (OK, only rated) horse in the race. He will run well but we do have a Henderson hotpot to beat so I can’t be overly confident though if he wins I won’t be surprised like some.”

Ballycash 1.15pm Wetherby

“He has been running too freely for his own good recently but has still run well with a third last time out at Huntingdon. I have decided to run him in a hood to see if that will help him settle and if it does as I hope, expect a huge run here.”

Blaklion 1.50pm Wetherby

“We haven’t seen him at his very best yet this season but he ran well enough in the Hennessy to finish fifth to Native River. Down a pound now and in my opinion, up against what look like lesser rivals, he really ought to win this and he looks to have an outstanding chance. ”

Gulshanigans 1.55pm Huntingdon

“I know he hasn’t won a race yet but he he got his handicap mark and steps in to that company now for the first time. I think he seems pretty well weighted with Tom Humprhries taking ten pounds off his back and I’m hoping for a big run here. ”

Verygoodverygood 2.25pm Wetherby

“Won two in a row in November at Ffos Las and Chepstow and was going up the weights but I may have run him too quickly last time when he finished a well beaten fifth, so I take the blame for that. and he should do a lot better now despite the added weight.”

Better Days 2.30pm Huntingdon

“He won well enough last time out and fences appear to be bringing the best out of him.  He is still improving and although he has been put up seven pounds he won’t be far away again with a clear round.”

The New One 2.40pm Kempton 

“The Irish have failed to send over any of their expected challengers which can only help and he is the best horse in the race on official ratings by some margin. I am pretty confident that he will prove too good for these and is quite clearly the one they all have to beat. ”

Astracad 3.00pm Wetherby

“Won well two races ago at Cheltenham but failed to handle the Grand national fences in the Grand Sefton last time and made too many errors. He has been schooling well at home since then, and I’m expecting him to be right up there again this afternoon.”

Hollow Blue Sky  3.25pm Wetherby

“I don’t mind admitting he has proved a bit disappointing so far this season but he is coming down the handicap and runs off three pounds lower now after only being beaten nine lengths last time. His jockey takes another seven pounds off which is an added bonus and in a first time visor he could yet surprise.”

Southport 3.45pm Kempton

“After winning one and finishing second in two of his three races this season I am continuing to send him handicapping  because I think he is set to carry a reasonable weight. My son William rides and a bold showing is very much expected on Monday afternoon.”

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!