Horseracing Betting Briefing: November 23-29

Events / Andrew Hughes / 23 November 2008 / Leave a Comment

Last year the Hennessy Festival gave us Denman, what will it give us in 2008? Andrew Hughes sets up all the action to come in another great week for jumps fans.

This week has seen the retirement of old favourite Kicking King. Wonderful as it was to see him tackling the Punchestown fences the other day, it's clear that he won't be recapturing his glory days. He's been a grand servant to connections and owes them nothing, so credit to them for taking the right decision. His record in winning six Grade Ones including the notable achievement of the King George/Gold Cup double speaks for itself and few will forget his supreme performance at Cheltenham in 2005, not to mention his previous brave runs in both the Arkle and Supreme Novices Hurdle. Here's to a long and happy retirement.

Sunday 23rd November

Another top day's racing at Aintree with one of the most interesting steeplechase events of the season. The Listed Becher Chase is a tough three-and-a-quarter mile slog over the ultra-stiff National fences that is certain to sort the contenders from the no-hopers. Regarded as perhaps the leading Grand National trial, notebooks will be at the ready to spot potential winners of the big one next April. It may also prove worthwhile taking an interest in the Grand Sefton Handicap Chase run over the quicker Mildmay course, which is sure to be a competitive event with a big field.

Ireland's Sunday action focuses on Navan with a decent looking card. Top of the bill is the Monksfield Novice Hurdle, a Grade Two contest over two-and-a-half miles, likely to feature a small but select field of high-class youngsters from some of Ireland's top stables with plenty of winning form on display. There is also a solid and competitive handicap in the three mile Troytown Chase.

Wednesday 26th November

Though Kempton is an all the year round Polytrack course these days, the classiest action you are likely to see in this part of the south-east is over fences on Boxing Day and today's card is a timely reminder of the other side of Kempton. The pick of the action is the Starlit Lapland Mares' Hurdle, a Listed contest run over a shade further than three miles that will offer a decent test.

Thursday 27th November

Today sees the first day of the Hennessy Winter Festival at Newbury, which this year culminates on Saturday, rather than Sunday. Pick of the opening day races is the Worcester Novices' Chase, a Grade Two contest over a galloping three miles for decent young novice chasers and what could be another piece of the Arkle puzzle.

Friday 28th November

More action from Newbury as we get closer to the big one on Saturday. The Berkshire Novices' Chase is another Grade Two, this time over two-and-a-half miles. Though there is likely to be a small field going to post for this, it is worth remembering that it is a race with a great history and was won by Denman a couple of years ago. There is also a competitive big field handicap to unravel; the three mile Pertemps Handicap Hurdle.

Saturday 29th November

One of the showcase races of the year, the Hennessy is a contest that rarely disappoints and is always a true test. Expect a mix of high class animals attempting to shoulder heavy weights, improving young chasers and hardened handicappers taking their chances. If the race offers a spectacle even half as impressive as last year's victory for Denman, then we'll be in for a treat. And don't miss the other great races on the card. The Long Distance Hurdle is a staying contest of the highest class, won by Inglis Drever last year and there are a couple of solid-looking betting heats in the Gerry Fielden Listed Hurdle over two miles and the Jim Joel Memorial Trophy Handicap Chase.

Meanwhile, up in the north-east, Newcastle holds its best day of jumps racing of the season, headed by the Fighting Fifth, a high class two mile hurdle likely to attract the best of the Champion Hurdle prospects. There is also the stirring test of the Rehearsal Chase, a three mile handicap with a big field and the intriguing The French Furze Novices' Hurdle, an event that can sometimes throw up a useful winner.