IT’S A 20-1 NEW-YEAR FLYER! Daqman surged 9-4 up on Pricewise of the Racing Post in their feature-race contest and 34 points clear to level stakes with a BETDAQ beauty, Shantou Flyer (WON 20-1) at Cheltenham, on the first day of the the new year.
THE BACKBONE TO CHELTENHAM: Cheltenham means Daqman magic and, starting today and tomorrow, he launches his countdown to the festival season, which will also include Aintree and Punchestown.
TODAY: The final Fortune Cookies list of hot-shots, which has brought in more than 100 points profit and now forms the backbone to Cheltenham.
TOMORROW: He celebrates his big-race bonanza in 2016.
LOOK OUT: Then look out for ‘See How They Won,’ in which he traces the path of all the Cheltenham winners, so that you can follow the established glory trails to the 2017 festival.
15 RACES WON BY FORTUNE COOKIES
Horses to follow are worth the effort. Firstly, they keep you close to the action. Second of all, they actually show a profit if you discard those not paying their way (we had 11 winners of 15 races).
The main purpose of our Fortune Cookies list was to find the big shots with potential for the festival seasons of Cheltenham, Aintree and Punchestown. We’re keeping these to give us a Happy New Year:
-1F Asthuria Fell when in command at Thurles.
-11 Bellshill Back-to-back wins.
-11 Douvan Also two from two.
–1 Fox Norton Won the Cheltenham Chase in November
01F Frodon Usually an excellent jumper. Needs a holiday.
-12 Good Thyne Tara Also watch Samcro, who beat her on the last day.
–1 It’s AFreebee Improver.
-14 Jenkins Given another chance.
P30 More Of That A different horse at Cheltenham.
–0 One Track Mind Top hurdler still with something to prove over fences.
111 Thistlecrack We’ve followed him to glory.
–F The Young Master The Sandown Gold Cup winner will be back.
-21 Vroum Vroum Mag Another one of ours for top honours.
–1 Yorkhill He adds one more to avoid 13.
Now comes the hard part. Between now and Cheltenham, we have to find the outsiders that shouldn’t be, the long shots that are big value. We’ve done it before (see tomorrow’s column) and we can do it again.
They may include some from the Fortune Cookies list, as happened last year when this column maintained that Vroum Vroum Mag would go for the Mares’ Hurdle (at 6.0 on BETDAQ) when she was a short price for stronger events. She did. She won.
PLUMPTON: ELEGANT SOLUTION FOR TIZZARD
1.20 Plumpton Baron Alco sets a good standard here but the unexposed French import Laissez Dire gets the selection. He was very impressive winning his first chase start on debut for Alan King last time and is still lightly raced. He will have no trouble with softer ground today and with the King stable in flying form with a host of winners over the festive season he rates a confident selection at an early 2.5 on BETDAQ.
1.50 Plumpton No Comment has been a model of consistency throughout his short career to date and can notch anther win here despite carrying a double penalty. He took to the hood well last time which is retained here and he should have too much class for the hardy Chelsea Flyer. He encounters softer ground today but showed an ability to function on it earlier in his career and at 2.3 on BETDAQ he looks a bet.
2.50 Plumpton Sartorial Elegance took a big step forward stepped up in trip on his third start over fences and despite a 15lb rise he looks the one to beat. Colin Tizzard has had his yard in rare form so far this season and if anything the extra three furlongs look like a plus for his charge here. Very soft ground would be a slight concern but at 7.8 he look like a solid play.
SOUTHWELL: SOME GO LEFT IN WESTWOOD HOE
3.10 Southwell Westwood Hoe has been out of form for a while now but as a result has dropped to an attractive mark. He won over this course in late 2015 off a 10lb higher mark and first time blinkers here makes him interesting. There has been bits of support for him very early and at 8.8 there could be a little value left.
DAQMAN’S BETS
BET 6pts to win LAISSEZ DIRE (Plumpton 1.20)
BET 6pts win NO COMMENT (Plumpton 1.50)
BET 8pts win (nap) SARTORIAL ELEGANCE (2.50 Plumpton)
BET 4pts win WESTWOOD HOE (3.10 Southwell)
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