Cairnzy managed to land two winners on Boxing Day's Lucky 15 thread.
It was great to see Constitution Hill bounce back to form on his first start in a year, beating Lossiemouth, who didn't look to be the same horse that we've seen from her in recent times. Let's hope, all Champion Hurdle contenders turn up to Cheltenham in their best form and put on a proper race for the fans.
Rizzel's tips
Jubilee Express 7/1 – Chepstow 2.50
I didn't think this year's Welsh Grand National was as competitive or as strong as in recent years, and I found it relatively straightforward to find my fancy for the race. Jubilee Express stuck out like a sore thumb to me for this race. He is trained by Sam Thomas who has won this race as a trainer with Iwilldoit, who runs in this race, but I think the fresher, younger horse in Jubilee Express could be difficult to beat if he is fine after 282 days away from the track.
There's no doubt about the stamina for my selection, he won a 3m 5f race at Haydock on bottomless ground in the spring, which cements the fact he is a strong stayer. He is on a 1lb higher mark from the Haydock win as Dylan Johnston claims 3lbs and he takes the ride. Dylan is one of the best claimers in the country, so having him on board is not a bad thing at all, in fact, it's a positive.
To top it off, he runs off 10st 3lbs when taking the jockey's claim into consideration, I think there's a lot to like about this lad's chances.
Zambezi Fix 4/1 – Chepstow 3.25
It's always risky going for Zambezi Fix as he is a horse who doesn't always deliver the extra required in the dying stages, but given he is on a very good mark shown by winning this race off this handicap mark 12 months ago, I think he is worthy of a spot in the Lucky 15.
Zambezi Fix is a very big horse who is meant to be a chaser when going off his frame, but he is better known as a hurdler/flat horse. He won this race last year, so he is more than capable of winning races over fences, but he desperately needs testing ground, which is what he'll get today. He goes through the soft ground like it's good ground, whilst other horses are struggling, he is travelling all over them towards the rear and they often take their time bringing him into contention, and when they deliver him late, it all depends on what mood he is in.
He is currently at a good price and I think he'll be strong in the market with Ellis Collier claiming 7lbs on him.
Frero Banbou 5/2 – Kempton 3.08
Though the handicapper has done no favours to Frero Banbou for sticking him up 7lbs for his win up at Newcastle, you can hardly blame him as the form of that race has worked out very well.
Not only will Frero Banbou have to prove he can win off this new mark, but he isn't getting the claimer of Ned Fox on board, which makes life even more difficult as the 7lbs is effectively 12lbs, but on the bright side we get Charlie Deutsch in the saddle, which is definitely a positive. Generally, when a horse has to shoulder a much higher mark for a small distance success, I'd normally think the task is too much, but the form of the Newcastle race has worked out very well.
The runner-up has finished as runner-up in a big handicap at Ascot and then the likes of Some Scope was a winner yesterday, with Kinondo Kwetu finishing a fast finishing second in the same race.
Willmount 15/8 – Kempton 3.38
I do try and avoid backing Nico De Boinville and Nicky Henderson horses, especially the shorter-priced horses as I think Nico is very overrated and doesn't put in the work when/if the horse needs some pressure. However, I find myself backing another of their horses with Willmount.
Out of the horses in the field, other than maybe Valgrand, I think Willmount is definitely on a workable handicap mark. This horse was hyped up when he was previously with Neil Mulholland and when he won on his stable debut for Nicky Henderson, but it hasn't gone to plan since. He was fancied in the market for the Challow last Christmas time but was PU, and since then he has been seen once, which saw him falling at Cheltenham a fortnight ago.
He is fancied in the market again, and I think off a mark of 130 he has to be worth one more go, as surely he is better than his current mark.
Just the one bet from me . Doing a lumpy single
Townsend versus de bonnville not even a contest Is it !
1:55 kempton Bally burn 11/10 nap not my type of betting but I’m gonna lump and double my money ! Only to lose is again Saturday! Haha remember spend it quick so they can’t have it back !