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Ascot and Haydock Saturday 17th December

I've missed writing my blogg, the racing in the last few weeks has been electrifying and I've added quite a few into the notebook, some horses in the last two weeks have really impressed me, the same undoubtedly can be said about the training performances coined with excellent horsemanship has already brought the national hunt season into a truly wonderful time. The sport of kings is certainly most definitely alive!

Ascot

12.55 3m Novices Handicap Hurdle

I was going to leave this race well alone until I noticed that Nicky Henderson with Barry Geraghty on board has entered a very impressive winning horse last time out. FOXBRIDGE fits the bill on not just the fact the trainer is having a blinding season now but also because he looks the most progressive out of a field which could throw up some other useful types. But the reason more than any to go for FOXBRIDGE is because the step up in trip last time to 2m 5f and now to 3m will suit, last time out the horse still looked like it had enough left in the tank and was ridden with some constraint. The ground good to soft will suit and can see this horse being in the shake up.

Haydock 2.10 2m 4f Handicap Hurdle

I was taken by this horses performance at Sandown in November and certainly wont be rubbing that out of my notebook any time soon, although some may of been let down by it's performance at Cheltenham last time out it's hard not to like PATEESE.  The Philip Hobbs team isn't firing on all cylinders at present but I expect PATEESE to be in the mix in this a much weaker race.

2.30 Lough Derg Long Walk Hurdle 3m 1f

Firstly the new name of this race is sublime. Lough Derg is one of my favourite horses of all time, in years to come I will still look back at the way he gave everything and even if you had a bet and saw Tom Scudamore shovelling the coal, you knew, just knew he'd stay on and take up the bit again, Truly wonderful horse and I wish him a happy retirement. On to this race, well I'm a fan of Big Bucks but I believe it's time for a new kid on the block to give him a run for his money and that horse could be DYNASTE. I was blown away by it's last performance, made all and ran a very quick time over 3m. DYNASTE in my opinion is still progressing, at the tender age of five still has a lot to learn and prove but if anyone is going to take it to Big Bucks then this is the horse to do so.

3.05 Handicap Chase 3m

In this race I've been looking at potential progressive types as you do for this kind of chase and it seems that some like The Minack and Benbane Head could take all the beating. However, I firmly believe that NEPTUNE COLLONGES still has the class to take this race. Yes he's 10 now, yes last time out he never looked like winning, yes he now maybe on the downgrade but I believe at least one more win is on the horizon. If NEPTUNE COLLONGES can get into a rhythmn, much like his victory last January at Cheltenham when he looked exuberant in his jumping then I believe he has a great chance in what is a field of horses, on ratings quite a way behind him, even if he's carrying top weight. Harry Derham is claiming the seven pounds and what a potential superstar jockey he may turn out to be this season. I believe in giving second chances and I believe is this beautiful grey.

3.35 Ladbrokes Listed Hurdle 2m

PROSPECT WELLS has really impressed me in novice company and certainly doesn't look overburdened in his first handicap. Paul Nicholls has been very happy with him and Ruby Walsh who will saddle him also agrees with the sentiment that PROSPECT WELLS is showing good signs at home and is certainly on the upgrade. Although he is favourite the ground and weight he's carrying all look like big positives. Strong fancy.

Good luck if your having a punt!

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