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Count on O'Connell in Welsh National
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Salute El Capitaine this Christmas
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Fear the Beast at Limerick on Sunday
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Read all about Betfair's Boxing Day free bet offer here
Friday, December 26th
Aintree, 13.05 - Act Of Innocence
Mydaddypaddy has already been annointed as the Supreme Novices' Hurdle winner if you listen to some folk and many will think he is a walkover here as he tackles his first Grade One assignment.
In fairness, it can be easy to get carried away with the hype when a yard like the Skletons eulogise about a young hurdler that has won twice on the bridle, albeit in weak affairs at long odds-on.
Contrastingly, this looks a belting renewal of the Formby with a deep field assembled at the five-day stage and the presence of Act Of Innocence hopefully ensures that Mydaddypaddy won't enjoy everything his own way.
Nicky Henderson often targets the opening novices' hurdle at the Coral Gold Cup meeting with a premier novice and that again looked the case as the former Paul Nicholls-trained gelding strolled majestically clear of the talented Sinnatra after the final hurdle.
This track should suit Act Of Innocence who boasts a high cruising speed and a change of gear and he ought to give the ante-post favourite something to think about.
Wincanton, 15.13 - El Capitaine
The handicap run at Cheltenham's November meeting won by A Pai De Nom has worked out pretty well with the winner scoring again since and seventh-home Kap Vert bolting up at Taunton on his chasing debut.
El Capitaine finished a highly creditable fourth that day, staying on strongly to finish within five lengths of a very well handicapped rival despite racing on the unfavourable inside rail for much of the contest.
That performance represented a step up on his narrow Newton Abbot success and I thought he ran much better than a 1lb rise in the handicap would have suggested.
The step up in trip should play to the strengths of a horse which won multiple times between the flags and he remains well enough treated to take a hand here.
Saturday, December 27th
Chepstow, 14.50 - O'Connell
Connections of O'Connell immediately nominated the Welsh National as a target following their gelding's impressive victory at Sandown last time.
The nine-year-old escapes a penalty for that success so is effectively 5lb well in here as he looks to add another National to his cv under conditions which look ideal.
The presence of the likes of Intense Raffles, Haiti Couleurs and Mr Vango helps to hold the weights down for O'Connell who sits towards the bottom of the handicap and, with six of the last 10 winners, carrying 10st6lb or less, that could be a positive.
Joel Parkinson and Sue Smith continue to enjoy an excellent season with their staying chasers, Grand Geste landing a nice prize for the combination on Saturday, and their veteran ought to relish the test this race provides.
Back O'Connell each-way in the Welsh National
Leopardstown, 13.12 - Marine Nationale
This Grade 1 could turn out to be one of the races of the Christmas period with Marine Nationale returning to take on Majborough.
There is little doubt the latter will improve for his recent seasonal bow, while the return to a left-handed track will also assist a horse who blundered his way around Cork, repeating his failing of jumping markedly to his left.
Marine Nationale has displayed no such tendancies and his record when rested for 48 days or more reads an impressive six wins from seven starts so fitness should not be an issue here, especially with his handler issuing a positive recent bulletin regarding his gelding's homework.
Leopardstown, 15.00 - Midnight Our Fred
Beaten by a resurgent Perceval Legallois in this vauable handicap chase 12 months ago, Midnight Our Fred definitely looks worth considering if he tries to go one better on Saturday.
The eight-year-old emerged best of those that raced up with the pace in last year's renewal and one of his fellow pacesetters, Nick Rockett, ended up well held in fourth before going on to win his next three chases, culminating in a glorious success in the Grand National in April.
Midnight Our Fred recorded some terrific jumping data that day with RaceIQ measuring his jump index at 9.6, while he gained nearly 23 lengths on his field through a sparkling round of jumping.
A recent Cork outing under Danny Mullins should put him spot on for this and this race represents his sole entry over the festive period.
Sunday, December 28th
Limerick, 14.15 - Release The Beast
This Listed event has possibly been on the radar of trainer Paul Nolan for a while given Release The Beast was an impressive scorer on this card 12 months ago.
The six-year-old landed a novice chase in style at this corresponding meeting last year, pinging the final fence to rubber stamp a fluent jumping display, a month on from a creditable chasing debut behind Ballyburn at Punchestown.
A pleasing comeback at Wexford in October earned the son of Affinisea a 3lb rise which won't necessarily have thrilled his handler, however the fourth home, Battle Of Ridgeway, landed a Navan handicap with regulation ease earlier this month to endorse the form and Release The Beast looks worth a good look.