Has been far too long since I updated this...

Jump racing is well underway. And one of the prime jumps meetings is only a few days away. The Christmas Festival at Kempton Park! Some real juicy Grade 1's up for grabs here! The King George... Can Conti win it 3 years in a row? Probably not. Well beaten by Cue Card in the Betfair Chase at Haydock in Nov. So happy to see Cue Card firing again. As sad as it was seeing the colours of Silivinaco Conti lowered at Haydock, I am so happy it was by Cue Card... Does Cue Card Stand a chance in the King George? I'd say a similar chance as Conti does.

Now onto the favourites. The Irish raiders. Don Cossack and Vautour. I don't subscribe to Vautour. Jumps right, jumps poor and I think he will be found out here. I've been wrong in the past, but I am firm in my belief of this. Don Cossack, he needs to beat a field like this to be considered as good as he is. Don't think much of the Irish string if I am honest. And if Smad Place shows up in the mood he di at Newbury for the Hennessy Gold cup then none of them will pass him. That performance was astonishing. Against a good field too, Bobs Worth, Saphir Du Rheu, Fingal Bay, The Giants Bolster, Houblon Des Obeaux. He ran from the front, jumped like a demon and stayed on... Brave ride form Wayne Hutchinson. He is such a striking horse, I felt so much emotion as he jumped the last and kept on. Amazing day!



Find me a better looking horse than that! Memories of Desert Orchid? Oh yes!

Then the Christmas Hurdle. Faugheen. Not the same air of brilliance as previously seen. He has been defeated. Nicholls Canyon tucked him in with great determination. Faugheen did nothing wrong, just met a better horse on the day! I have no doubt that Willie will have him in better shape now than a month ago, but this is against a good field. The New One, who I cannot believe that Sam Twisotn-Davies has given his ride up on, Old Guard, the horse Sam has chosen to ride. It is between them three really, don't see Hargam or Sign Of A Victory coming close.



Should be an excellent days racing.

Real shame about Coneygree getting that injury for the season. That was another balls to the wall front runner with no fear. Sad he won't be fit in time to defend his Gold Cup crown!




Also, a special mention to a true Racehorse. Red Cadeaux. Globe Trotter, Australian hero, Fan favourite. Excellent horse, such a sad end to an excellent and decorated career. So sorry for the connections of the horse, and a big thanks to the vets for the work they did. Real shame it ended how it did.