Shish wish
HENDERSON TO LAND KING-SIZED SUCCESS
TAKE SHISHKIN (2.30) to deliver a knockout blow to his five rivals on Boxing Day in the feature Ladbrokes King George VI Chase at Kempton Park.
It is true that Nicky Henderson’s charge blotted his form book when refusing to race at Ascot, but the Lambourn maestro is confident the same thing won’t happen at the Sunbury-OnThames track where the starting point is well away from the stables.
Based purely on form, the selection – along with Allaho – is the least exposed at the three-mile trip.
But unlike the Irish market leader, he has already shown the extra half a mile shows no fears for him, in fact just the opposite.
For after a running-on second to Envoi Allen in the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham, the nine-year-old simply outstayed Ahoy Senor in the Grade One Aintree Bowl Chase at Liverpool.
With a likely hot pace on up top with Frodon and The Real Whacker set to pull the strings early on, I’m not sure that Allaho will get home even over this sharp three miles – and I simply cannot be on Bravemansgame.
Last year’s hero was out on his feet on his seasonal debut at Wetherby, but then to my eyes endured a pretty hard race at Haydock Park in the Betfair Chase and will do well to come back from that battle.
A bigger danger on the drying ground could well be Hewick, who was in the process of running a career best when falling at the second last in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
CONSTITUTION HILL (1.55) is difficult to oppose in what looks a weak renewal of the Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle and a better value bet could come in the form of RUSSIAN RULER (12.45) in the opening handicap hurdle.
Judged on his comeback run at Newbury, he has been crying out for this extra half mile.
From the other 10 meetings on Tuesday, I also like the look of KARL PHILLIPE (1.35) at Wetherby.
Finally, on Wednesday, the Coral Welsh National took a hit when ante-post favourite, Monbeg Genius was scratched.
New favourite Super Survivor has solid claims and was a massive eye-catcher on his comeback run at Lingfield and the cream on the cake is that he was a winner on this card last year.
However, the value has now gone and I fancy Rebecca Curtis could step back into the spotlight with her WAYFINDER (2.50). Three times a course winner over three miles, the latter off a mark of 122, he showed that deep ground is no concern when outpaced by Nassalam in the trial two weeks ago.
He has a massive pull in the weights here and 25-1 is way too big.