MAKE A NOTE OF MAROWN: STILL UNEXPOSED OVER THREE MILES: Daqman got his usual midweek winner a day when Marown (WON 6-5) was impressive in the novice chase at Ayr yesterday. Marown jumped fluently and went clear after taking over two out. He could be even better over 3m.
CHRISTMAS IS COMING.. TO BRING YOU CHELTENHAM WINNERS: Talking over future stars, Daqman today asserts the value of the Leopardstown Christmas meeting for finding Cheltenham winners: The Future Stars Go To Town.
THE FUTURE STARS GO TO TOWN..
See how they run. The King George on Boxing Day will get all the publicity in England but the kings of Cheltenham usually emerge from Leopardstown’s four-day meeting (December 26th to 29th).
The novice races alone seem certain to reveal future stars, and I’ll be checking out the potential in next week’s preview of the seven Grade-1 hurdles and chases.
If you look at Gold Cup and RSA results at Cheltenham and back track the form of the winners you’ll see that they come tumbling out of the Leopardstown bag.
DOUVAN DAWN. A whole collection of quality horses have emerged from the Racing Post Novice Chase at Leopardstown on Boxing Day.
Leader of the Post pack over the years is Douvan, the 2015 winner, one of five out of seven for Willie Mullins between 2011 and 2017.
Douvan went on to win his next SEVEN starts, including the Arkle, with Ruby Walsh riding at the peak of his career.
SIZING UP GOLD. Like the Supreme at Cheltenham, the Future Champions Novices’ Hurdle on the second day of Leopardstown throws up top chasers as well as great hurdles players.
Jezki (2012) would go on to win the 2014 Champion Hurdle. Sizing John (2014) would become the Cheltenham Gold Cup and Punchestown Gold Cup winner of 2017.
HERE’S THE DON. On the final day of the Leopardstown Christmas Meeting, the Grade-1 novice chase has Gordon Elliottt looking for a four-timer, his last two winners being Delta Work and Battleoverdoyen.
But Willie Mullins probably had the doyen novice of the decade in Don Poli (2014), whose very next race was a six-lengths triumph in the RSA.
He would subsequently be third to another mighty don, Don Cossack, in the 2016 Cheltenham Gold Cup.
RING-A-RING-A-ROSIES
⭕ 1.20 Catterick Dan Skelton has enjoyed a strike-rate of around 1 in 4 with his runners at Catterick and he looks to have a solid chance in this handicap chase with Roses Poses.
The mare remains a maiden but has run well over hurdles, notably last time out at Southwell when runner-up to San Rumoldo. She made the running that day and if similar front running tactics are deployed today she might prove hard to peg back around the tight Catterick circuit. It’s certainly not the day to be too far off the pace with the ground officially soft.
Discko Des Plages heads the BETDAQ BETTING EXCHANGE as I write but his chasing debut and current trainer form doesn’t fill me with confidence.
After winning on heavy ground at Doncaster in February, he made his chase debut at Hexham after a break of 264 days but was a disappointing beaten favourite beaten 25 lengths.
Flamboyant Joyaux also comes here on the back of a poor run at Wetherby with no obvious excuses and a bigger danger may come from Shattered Glass who won over fences at a pointer and may come back stronger after wind surgery.
SKELTON, AGAIN
⭕ 3.25 Catterick I’m sticking with Dan Skelton with his second runner of the day – Gregor in the bumper.
It looks an above average contest by Catterick standards but Gregor puts down a big marker after his course and distance fourth on debut – he was beaten less than two lengths after twice being denied a clear run.
The experience of that run plus the softer ground should both be in his favour and the grey can hopefully land the nap.
Irish raider Paddy The Wire only has modest form and would need to improve.
I Hope Star is interesting given he already has winning bumper form. He won on the all-weather at Lingfield but penalties are notoriously hard to defy in this sphere.
JEWEL TO SHINE AGAIN
⭕ 4.20 Newcastle Jewel Maker scored with enough in hand over course and distance 11 days ago to suggest he can defy his 6lb extra.
He stayed on really strongly to win by two and a half lengths.
His main market rivals here are all struggling to show their form including Red Poppy who was beaten 11 lengths when favourite at Chelmsford last time out.
DAQMAN’S BETS (staked to win 10 points)
BET 2.4pts win ROSES POSES (1.20 Catterick)
BET 5.7pts win (nap) GREGOR (3.25 Catterick)
BET 3.1pts win JEWEL MAKER (4.20 Newcastle)
What are points? Points facilitate a staking plan, which is the secret to creating profit. One point is whatever you choose: a pound, a euro, or whatever ….
Start with a bank and decide how much you can afford to lose over a period of time, and determine the size of your bets accordingly. Daqman makes this variation every day.
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