The 12 plays of Christmas – Part 2

Altior and Nico De Boinville jump the last in the Unibet Desert Orchid Chase, Kempton Park 27/12/18

Following on from The 12 plays of Christmas – Part 1, we have plays 7-12 of the Festive season. Once more we have three win bets, a pair of each way outsiders who look over priced and a lay for the action.

We will have free horse racing tips for every card over the Christmas period and for those looking for something a little different, we have free bets from the bookmakers to make the most of the final week of 2020.

7 – WIN – Ballyadam – Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle

Jamie Codd has long been complementary of this horse and he’s shown why with a pair of wins over hurdles. He still looks very much an unfinished type and should be capable of progressing further over the next couple of years. He has plenty to learn but his turn of foot might just be too much for Appreciate It to handle.

8 – WIN – Nuts Well – William Hill Castleford Handicap Chase

A great story this season, impressing with the step up in class in the Old Roan at Aintree. He has tended to enjoy his trips to Wetherby in the past, form of 242411 at the track and he has improved considerably since the last of those. The step back down in trip won’t be a concern on deep ground and he can strike for the in form Ann Hamilton yard.

9 – WIN – Clondaw Secret – Lyons of Limerick Jaguar Land Rover Novice Hurdle

Very much a long term project but it would be no surprise to see him take this step up in class in his stride. He needed all of the two and a half miles at Navan to get on top so the longer trip here looks a big plus. Having to battle will have done him good as he looked a big baby there and while chasing will be more his game, he’s still an exciting recruit for hurdles this season.

10 – E/W Outsider – Fitzhenry – Paddy Power Chase

Third in this race in 2018 and runner-up last season, his campaign will very likely have been geared around another visit to this contest. He has not shown the same level of form as he had ahead of those two placed efforts but he’s still worth keeping on side for a canny yard.

11 – E/W Outsider – Global Citizen – Ladbrokes Desert Orchid Chase

Ben Pauling’s charge won the Wayward Lad over course and distance at this meeting last season, beating Rouge Vif who is almost a fifth of his price at time of writing. Connections tried hold up tactics for him on his Exeter return which clearly didn’t work. He was also the winner of the Dovecote here in 2018 so back on a track that suits him, if given a return to front running tactics, he should put up a much bolder show.

12 – LAY – Nassalam – Coral Finale Juvenile Hurdle

A visually impressive winner of both his starts over hurdles at Fontwell so far but there has to be huge questions over exactly what he accomplished in beating those fields. It might be that he is another Goshen for the yard but the comparisons with his stablemate will only ensure that he is under priced and over bet taking a huge step up in class into Grade 1 company. As such, he’s more of a lay than a betting prospect.