These 2 courses are putting on just about as good mid week racing as you will see at this time of year. Plenty of runners and some potentially classy sorts are on show.
Warwick
14:25, Out The Daw Handicap Hurdle
Don't Tell Su 7/2
There are a few retrieval missions in here, not least Montecam for Nicky Henderson who fell when sent to Punchestown in the spring and put in a meagre performance on chase debut at Kempton a month ago. Ballybegg is another one who had a chasing career cut short. Itsnoteasy is hard to trust on the back of a terrible seasonal debut last time out and Moon Over Mexico looks hard to assess on his first run for 301 days. Mr Hope Street will go off a short price favourite for the Skelton's under a penalty but I prefer Don't Tell Su to step up on his gallant seasonal debut at Sandown last month when he finished 2nd to the progressive Act Of Authority. The stable's form is better now and that was a strong race at the Esher track. The handicapper has left him untouched and I expect he will prove better than a mark of 117 soon.
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Taunton
13:35, Jetset Holidays Novices' Hurdle
Tuxedo Junction 9/1 each-way (3 places)
Alexei looked good on debut but that was only a 4 runner race and he now has to shoulder a penalty in a stronger contest. Byzantium has finished 2nd on both his starts (favourite on both occasions) but it's worrying how much he tired late on last time. At the prices I'm happy to have a go with Tuxedo Junction against the front 2 in the market. He was a decent flat handicapper for James Fashawe before joining David Pipe to embark on a hurdling career. He stepped up on his debut over obstacles at Chepstow to run a great race at Wincanton a month ago. He was again too free and that cost him late on but it was a decent race and he set very fast fractions. If he can settle a bit better today then he has every chance. Either way, I like this horse and will be following him when he steps into handicap company after this.
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14:05, Kirker Holidays Novices' Handicap Chase
Law Of Supply 7/2
Florencethemachine is progressive but is a short enough price on the back of winning a 3 runner race on firm ground at Exeter last time out. De Tellers Fortune represents the Nicky Henderson stable but he is a real unknown on chase debut after a break. Law Of Supply on the other hand comes into this having slammed plenty of rivals in big field chases at Worcester and Ascot on differing ground conditions. He jumps well and is a strong traveller. He's up another 7 pounds in the weights but is likeable and progressive. He has a big chance of landing the hattrick.
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14:40, Classic Collection Holidays Handicap Hurdle
Choccabloc 3/1
I really like this horse. Bar when finishing 5th in a tough Grade 2 at Cheltenham, he has never been outside of the first 3. He ran a cracker at Ayr on his final start of the season against a decent one of Willie Mullins' and an opening mark of 128 should be within reach. When you look at the horses he has been finishing amongst in his short career so far, he should be shaping up into a graded horse this season.
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15:50, Twixmas Meeting 30th December Handicap Hurdle
Ugo Bingo 7/1 each-way (5 places)
Anthony Charlton's 5 year old always shaped as though he wouldn't come into his own until stepped up in trip and that duly proved the case last time out when winning for the first time. He's up another 5 furlongs in trip again here but he finished strongly enough last time to suggest that this is in reach and with Callum Pritchard claiming 7 pounds off him, he's weighted to go close.
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