Katie Midwinter (31/12/23)
The first day of a new year, racing welcomes 2024 with a number of interesting cards. The action in Ireland is particularly intriguing, with plenty to keep an eye on at Fairyhouse plus a competitive Grade Three Savills New Year’s Day Chase at Tramore. Monkfish, absent for 713-days before making a comeback at Fairyhouse in April, makes his first appearance over fences since the 2021 Punchestown Festival, and will surely come on for the run and the benefit of race fitness. Nevertheless, it’s excellent to see him back on a racecourse and hopefully he will be able to stay fit and healthy for the remainder of the season.
FAIRYHOUSE
12:40pm – Maiden Hurdle
My Trump Card 2/3 – Gordon Elliott, Jack Kennedy
On debut, My Trump Card finished fourth in maiden company at Navan in a race won by Grangeclare West, with Firm Footings in second and Buddy One behind in sixth. The Patrick Mullins-bred son of Shantou found one better in his first bumper, following a 356-day break, before winning when last seen under Mullins, beating subsequent winner The Story So Far in convincing fashion. Heavy ground proved to be no problem when landing his first victory, therefore shouldn’t pose a problem at Fairyhouse, and this should be a stepping stone for greater targets in future.
2:25pm – Mares Chase (Grade 3)
Allegorie De Vassy 2/3 – W P Mullins, Paul Townend
The No Risk At All mare made a winning reappearance in Listed company at Clonmel in November, bouncing back following two defeats at the end of last season. She sets the standard based on her second-placed finish to the formidable Impervious at the Cheltenham Festival and is still highly-regarded at Closutton, with stable jockey Paul Townend aboard.
3:35pm – INH Flat Race
I Am River 5/4 – W P Mullins, Mr P W Mullins
Purchased for E210,000 as a three-year-old, Getaway gelding I Am River is the first foal out of bumper winning mare Dreambaby, trained by Willie Mullins during her racing career. His dam won on heavy ground, and there is plenty of stamina in his pedigree, suggesting that he will be able to cope with a tough test of stamina in testing conditions and jockey Patrick Mullins will be able to dictate matters from the front end.
TRAMORE
12:00pm – Maiden Hurdle
Gorgeous Tom – Henry de Bromhead, Darragh O’Keeffe
The Champs Elysees gelding was second to £200,000 purchase Shanagh Bob in a point-to-point, the form of which has worked out well with the winner going on to win both starts over hurdles, including a Grade Two at Cheltenham. Gorgeous Tom then went on to finish fourth on rules debut behind two promising novices in Slade Steel and King Of Kingsfield, before finishing second to subsequent Grade One winner Caldwell Potter at Navan. He has shaped as though a maiden win is imminent, and is presented with a feasible opportunity at his local track.
CHELTENHAM
3:15pm – Relkeel Hurdle
Bob Olinger 13/8 – Henry de Bromhead, Rachael Blackmore
Former Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle winner Bob Olinger has faced a challenging couple of seasons following a perfect novice hurdling campaign, struggling when sent over fences and unable to make his mark when returning over the smaller obstacles.
There were signs of a resurgence when second to Home By The Lee in the Lismullen Hurdle in 2022, but disappointing efforts at Leopardstown and Naas followed. However, he was able to return to form when battling hard to beat Zanahiyr at Navan, showing great tenacity and glimpses of the Bob Olinger of old. His performance suggested he is back in form which makes him difficult to oppose, and with only three rivals standing in his way, he is favoured to record back-to-back successes and land another Grade Two prize.
MUSSELBURGH
1:45pm – Handicap Hurdle (Class 3)
Panjari 10/3 – Paul Nicholls, Freddie Gingell (5)
The Camelot gelding is a dual Listed winner on the Flat, beating Group Two winner Best Of Lips on his second black-type victory at Hoppegarten. This indicates he possesses plenty of class but he was too keen at Chepstow on his hurdling debut, failing to settle before finishing fifth. He was then beaten by the promising Lowry’s Bar at Wincanton, a gelding that is unbeaten under rules and has subsequently won both of his following races.
Panjari won at Taunton before a third-placed finish in a competitive handicap at Cheltenham, behind winner Go Dante, formerly sixth in the Greatwood, the form of which has been franked since, and runner-up Doddiethegreat, an exciting prospect.
3:30pm – Handicap Hurdle (Class 4)
Reserve Judgement 11/4 – John C McConnell, Mr Alex Harvey (7)
The point winner landed a first hurdling success in June at Down Royal, and has performed respectably since, unfortunate to fall three out when ahead on his latest appearance. The Irish-raider holds leading claims in this line up, in the hands of 7lb claimer Alex Harvey.
EXETER
3:55pm – National Hunt Flat Race (Class 5)
Joyau Allen 8/11 – Paul Nicholls, Lorcan Williams
This full brother to Envoi Allen, half-brother to Fighter Allen, should possess plenty of class and showed promise in only point start when second to Tellherthename. There is enough evidence in his pedigree to suggest he will cope with the testing conditions on track, and he should take all of the beating.
NEWCASTLE
3:10pm – Class 2 Handicap
Sir Busker 6/1 (EW) – William Knight, Callum Shepherd
A high-quality performer on his day, a mark of 103 appears lenient for a horse of his quality, only 1lb higher than when second to To Catch A Thief recently. Although he must reverse form with his younger rival, there is only 14lbs between them on this occasion, a 9lb difference. A price of 7/1 is great each-way value.
3:45pm – Class 2 Handicap
Dear My Friend 12/1 (EW) – Charlie Johnston, Joe Fanning
Making his first appearance since being gelded and following a wind operation, Dear My Friend can improve on three disappointing efforts during the summer and return to the form he has previously shown on the all-weather when landing a Listed win at the track in April. He goes well fresh and is better than a mark of 97 suggests, when on a going day.
5:15pm – Class 2 Handicap
Rousing Encore 25/1 (EW) – Richard Fahey, Duran Fentiman
The four-year-old gelding finally returned to form when successful on Saturday, and if he is to take up this assignment in what would be a quick turnaround, he is one to keep onside.
Admiral D 20/1 (EW) – Richard Fahey, Cam Hardie
A horse that had been knocking on the door prior to his win at Kempton in November, the experienced gelding is an enticing price and holds strong each-way claims.
*All prices and runners are correct at the time of writing.
Thanks to all of my loyal readers for the support during 2023.
Happy New Year to you all!
Best wishes,
Katie
THE CONDITIONAL 