All I Want This Christmas is... the Oaks Final

Wimbledon Racing / Jonathan Hobbs / 14 December 2007 / Leave a Comment

Jonathan Hobbs says "Christmas? Bah, humbug!" and provides you with the answer to your festive woes.

FED up with the Xmas shopping? Looking to get some of those Xmas expenses back? Don't fancy the office party? If the answer is 'yes' to all three, then Tuesday's final Sky date of 2007 at Wimbledon is the perfect antidote when a quite glorious Oaks final, one of the best I can remember, graces the card at Plough Lane.

Indeed of all the racing in the build-up to Christmas - Nottingham's National Sprint competition concluding on December 22 is an exception - the Oaks has stood out. Fair play to Hove for their Ballyregan Bob Memorial gala, a superb fix of finals on Thursday, and many of those on the Sussex coast then will be travelling down to Wimbledon. Not least supporters of the Derek Knight camp. Jazz Hurricane represents the Hove-based handler and it's a second Oaks decider for the brilliant daughter of Top Honcho. No-one could begrudge her success after victories in 2007 in the Brighton Belle, Circuit and Olympic. And if she traps quicker than she did in the semi-finals . . .

Twelve months ago, of course, Jazz Hurricane featured in one of the best races of 2006 when a close-up third to Dilemmas Flight and Cleenas Lady in a fantastic finish to the Oaks. And Nick Savva's defending champion is there again looking to win back-to-back Oaks wins, something not done for 45 years.

As a Derby finalist also, it could be another remarkable chapter to the Savva story this year. The Westmead name has shone brightly again, but this exceptional litter-sister of Spiridon Louis has also boosted the Dunstable record in 2007, and is testament to the genius of the adopted Brit (!) that she is warming to peak once again.

If John Mullins is to reel in Charlie Lister and cap a most remarkable rise back to the top by becoming Trainer of the Year, and it is possible but unlikely, then Blonde Jeannie really must win the Oaks, and she can. Dilemmas Flight beat her to the punch in the semis, but Blonde Jeannie still goes to the bend as well as any.

So Knight versus Savva versus Mullins. But hang on. A certain Sean White, south London fishmonger with two greyhounds in his backyard sends out Broadway Sizzler and she, too, has been expertly brought to boil. The fact that of all the six bitches in the final, she would be favourite to lead gives her, and Sean, a great chance.

It would be unfair not to mention the remaining two bitches and, while punters might shy away from backing Dawn Cranz and Lethal Frankie, they are trained, respectively, by two trainers with huge experience, Peter Billingham and Seamus Cahill. That in itself is worth a length or two to their chances, although both might need it.

And if the fact that a Classic final without a Charlie Lister-trained runner surprises you, remember that his former assistant Chris Akers now holds a similar role with Billingham. It is potentially another twist, another great story for what should be a great Oaks final at Wimbledon - and well done to Wimbledon for a terrific supporting card.

It underlines how non-stop the game is. The chance to see the likes of Pea Ball, Westmead Tina, and top-class puppies such as Ballymac Under, Westmead Keawn and Mustand Garcia already has us thinking of the 2008 Derby. And remember it is a month earlier in May next year to avoid a clash with the Euro Championships and Englan . . . okay maybe not!

But last word must go to Spiridon Louis. With Barnfield On Air away on winter rest - well, when he is not serving bitches - Lorraine Sams' multiple winner and crowd pleaser bids to bow out live on Sky on a winning note. He runs over 688m, 20m further than his St Leger triumph, and will raise the roof should be strike gold - again!

Good luck to all on Tuesday, and enjoy.