Bumper Boxing Day

      Dell'arca runs at Kempton today

Today is one of the busiest days of the year for racing, there are eight meetings around the country plus a few in Ireland.  There is a flat card at Wolverhampton plus seven jumps cards at Kempton, Wetherby, Wincanton, Market Rasen, Fontwell, Sedgefield and Huntingdon.  How do Huntingdon get away with £32,000 in prize money for seven races on Boxing Day?  They have one race worth £1754!  Tom Scu goes to Kempton to ride Dell'arca in the 3.45pm handicap hurdle.  He ran well when last seen over hurdles at Haydock off this mark of 135 and he is a a 12/1 EW chance in the Racing Post.  He returns from a hoiday today so fingers crossed he can run well.  David Noonan goes to Wetherby to ride Tobacco Rod in the 1.15pm race.  He is a 9/2 chance in the Post and he ran well on his last start at Towcester where he finished second.  It is a slight step up in trip this afternoon and so long as he stays this trip he should run well.

All eyes will be on the King George from Kempton at 3.15pm.  Tom Scu of course rides Thistlecrack for Colin Tizzard and he is up against stablemate Cue Card.  Thistlecrack was 23 pounds better over hurdles but it is experience versus a novice.  This will me much more of a test for the novice chaser but he is high class, it should be a very interesting race and I am going to side with Thistlecrack.  I will also be cheering on The New One in the Christmas hurdle at Kempton.  Our friend Gino is part owner and he kindly lets us stay with him when we go up to Aintree for the Grand National meeting.  He will have a tough task against Yanworth but he looked very good at Cheltenham last time.

Well I hope  you all enjoyed your Christmas day and have all eaten and drank too much - I certainly did!  How many presents did you get that you didn't want?!  You should not be ungrateful but there are only some many pants, socks and vests that you need!  I did get two books, Harry Redknapp's and Joey Barton's - both should be interesting reads for one reason or another!  Every time I woke up yesterday there was either the re-run of the 2016 Ryder Cup or Carry on Cleo on the TV.  I better not say too much about Carry on Cleo as Amanda Barrie (the one with the big eyes!) is a close friend of Pond House!

There are not that many good football matches today.  My West Ham are playing Swansea, it will be tricky but hopefully we can nick it!

I got the sack as an air traffic controller - I couldn't sleep with the landing lights on!! Have a nice day and enjoy the top racing.