HAYLEY TURNER WRITES…… I can’t start without mentioning Lizzie Kelly after her big win on Boxing Day with Tea For Two. It was a great result for her to win a Grade 1 and she gave the horse a really good ride to win. He’s not a steering job by any means, he needs settling and she was able to do that on Saturday and they won really well. I’m not sure if he’s as effective going left handed so that won’t help at Cheltenham but he certainly looks like a really good horse.
I’m looking forward to seeing her again at Sandown on Saturday in the Tolworth Hurdle. It would be great for her to get a second Grade 1 win in a row with Agrapart. It’s certainly going to be soft ground at Sandown and that should suit but it may suit Yorkhill a little better. I’m not sure what rain is forecast, the ground definitely won’t be good but Agrapart has form on Soft and Heavy both in the UK and in France.
I think if she can settle him in and just creep through, it should give her a chance. Ruby Walsh is quite confident about Yorkhill though but I’d love to see Lizzie win again.
Also on Boxing Day, I thought Faugheen was very impressive and I think he would have won by even further if he had jumped the last a little better. He was very exciting to watch. I was expecting a good run from Old Guard but he just looked to be very flat on the day and he never put up much of a battle.
In the King George, it was a great race. Cue Card settled much better and that obviously helped him get the trip. A little further at Cheltenham isn’t ideal though unless the ground is good. If there’s any bit of Soft in the description, that will make it very difficult. I’m not sure if the first two home, Cue Card and Vautour, are really stayers and I thought Don Cossack was unlucky falling two out. He may have outstayed them had he stood up.
A FEW TO WATCH FOR THE ALL WEATHER
On the All Weather, there are two running today at Southwell that I like.
Underdressed runs for Keith Dalgleish at 1.30. She has limited experience with only three runs but all three were in the places. Last time out, she ran a nice race at Southwell and I think 6 furlongs should be right up her street. She could still be unexposed for this one.
In the last race at 3.45, Michael Appleby runs The Lock Master. He ran well here last time out over course and distance and he looks like he handles the track really well so I’d be expecting a good run from him.
On Saturday, also at Southwell, Crosse Fire runs in the first race. He won nicely in a 0-80 Handicap over course and distance on Tuesday and drops back to a 0-70 for tomorrow’s race without a penalty despite running off a mark of 73. He could be a good bet for this one if he shows up in the same form.
In the Conditions Stakes at 2.15 in Chelmsford, Dean Ivory runs Lancelot Du Lac. I rode this fella in the July Cup and he was wasn’t beaten that far. After the race I thought that if I had made more use of him, I’d have finished a little closer. In his two wins since, he’s made the running and I’d imagine he’ll make the running again. Going from Stall 8 is a nice draw for a front runner and he could be a hard one to beat.
LOOKING FORWARD TO THE DARTS ON SUNDAY
I can’t wait for the finish of the Darts at the weekend. I’ve been really enjoying it and I had a bet on James Wade. I’m hoping Raymond Van Barneveld wins as well.
I’ve been really lucky because I was hoping to get tickets but there was none and it’s my birthday on Sunday. Chancing my arm, I sent Barry Hearn a DM on Twitter asking if there was any possibility of getting any sort of ticket and Barry has kindly invited me to sit at his table for Sunday’s Final! So, myself and my sister are off to the Darts for my birthday and he birthday which is a few days after mine!
If nothing else happens this year, this will definitely be my bit of luck for 2016!
Before Christmas, I went to the Sports Personality of the Year awards in Belfast and was sat beside the Leeds Rhino’s team. My followers on Twitter all knew where my loyalties lay on the night as I tried to encourage people to vote for them!
It was great to be there and it was great to see AP McCoy getting such a warm reception on the night. It was a really enjoyable night overall.
Finally, Happy New Year to all the readers and I hope you all have a great year in 2016.
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