Boxing Day Review

There was a pulsating finish to the King George VI Chase at Kempton Park on Friday with four runners holding every chance jumping the final fence. The Jukeman Man made it four wins from as many starts over fences edging out last year's winner Banbridge by a nose with the same margin back to the third, Gaelic Warrior. Jango Baie, who was tackling the trip for the first time, was half a length further back in fourth. Rated 156 beforehand, Ben Pauling's stable star defied his lack of experience over the larger obstacles regaining the advantage on the line in a stirring finish. His connections are now eyeing a tilt at the Cheltenham Gold Cup, although it wouldn't be a surprise if the Harry Redknapp's charge is entered in the Ryanair Chase, too. The runner-up ran a tremendous race and full marks to Joseph O'Brien and his team for getting the nine year old back to his best - he hadn't shown a great deal in his three previous efforts. Willie Mullins felt the drying ground didn't do his pair any favours, in particular Fact To File, who looked in trouble a long way from home. Jango Baie produced a career best effort and he, too, is expected to be trained with the Gold Cup in mind. One could argue he was beaten less than the amount of ground he must have forfeited by racing so wide throughout. 

While Nicky Henderson went close in the King George, the Seven Barrows outfit claimed an incredible fourteenth victory in the Christmas Hurdle. Returning from an absence of 364 days, Sir Gino looked as good as every outclassing the reigning champion hurdler Golden Ace racing prominently before pulling away after the last. A six lengths scorer, it looks likely the ex-French gelding will continue down the hurdling route and head to Cheltenham in March. On this evidence, the five year old will take some beating especially having proved himself at the track as a juvenile hurdler. 

It was disappointing to see Mydaddypaddy lose his unbeaten record in the Grade 1 Formby Novices' Hurdle at Aintree. The fact four hurdles were omitted due to the low sun didn't do Dan Skelton's runner any favours - he is such a quick and accurate jumper - but he was close enough if good enough entering the latter stages. Beaten three and a quarter lengths by Idaho Sun, a high quality novice in his own right who finished sixth in the Festival bumper last spring, Harry Skelton's mount cruised into contention in the homestraight and it looked a case of how far between what would have been the final two flights. The fact the four year old was last off the bridle and appeared to be running all over Harry Fry's winner entering the final quarter of a mile suggests he isn't out of place in such company. His finishing effort was underwhelming and it is hard to believe that is as good as he is - his dam stayed three miles and perhaps he needs further, or perhaps there was more to it on Friday. He went from cantering to his effort flattening out quickly. 

While Mydaddypaddy drifted in the ante-post market for the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle as a result, another Top 40 entry El Cairos shortened markedly despite the fact he didn't win the two miles maiden hurdle at Leopardstown on St Stephen's Day. A high profile purchase following the retirement of his previous owner David Maxwell, Gordon Elliott's new recruit was backed as though defeat was out of the question and was all set for a hugely impressive winning debut over hurdles when slipping after the last and hitting the floor. Thankfully, his trainer reported the ex-pointer to be A1 afterwards and hopefully nothing emerges in the coming days. Studying the Race Iq data, the five year old the third and second last furlongs in 13.67 and 12.65 seconds showing a lethal turn of foot as he started his challenge on the outside. Breezing through to lead approaching the final hurdle, he had jumped well and looks a high-class novice. All being well, the No Risk At All gelding will have one more run before taking his place in the Festival opener.

Later on the same card, the Top 40 did manage a winner on any otherwise frustrating afternoon with Narciso Has heading to the summit of the ante-post market for the Triumph Hurdle following his bloodless victory in the Grade 2 juvenile hurdle. Runner-up in a Grade 3 at Fairyhouse on his Irish debut last month, the ex-French gelding raced handily under Danny Mullins before stretching clear after the second last. An eleven lengths scorer, J.P.McManus' charge will presumably return for the Grade 1 juvenile hurdle at the DRF (31st January) before heading to Prestbury Park in March.

Elsewhere, there were some good perforances by other featured horses in One Jump Ahead. Bertutea looked above average when winning the juvenile hurdle at Limerick. The Gigginstown House Stud owned runner jumped soundly and put his experience from racing in France to good use and readily pulled away in the homestraight. He looks ready for a rise in class. No Walkover made it two from two in bumpers when defying a penalty at Aintree. A four year old by Poet's Word, he is a strong traveller and there was plenty to like about the way he pulled away in the closing stages. The Listed bumper at Newbury (7th February) could be an option and he rates a splendid long-term prospect. David Pipe may have another good one on his hands.

The interviews with Harry Derham and Sam Thomas in the Christmas Special produced a couple of winners on Friday with Klub De Reve (7/4) and Alfie's Princess (15/8) justifying strong market support at Kempton and Wincanton respectively. One to note for the future is the former's Jasmine Bliss who finished third on her fencing bow in the opening two and a half miles novices' handicap chase at Kempton. Harry warned that the daughter of Blue Bresil would need the outing and that proved the case - she jumped superbly and held every chance until tiring in the latter stages. The six year old will be tough to beat next time and she is one for the notebook.