Equinties - giddy up

Gm Equinauts

We’re going to do an end of year review - looking back at the biggest performances from both horses and trainers, as well as a look ahead - trainers on the up, horses to follow and, now this will be interesting, ways to make the sport better!

Stay tuned, it will be good.

Let’s dive in.

You’ve all heard of Viagra. The one time, pump and dump pill. Lasts what - 30 minutes? Rubbish.

For the first time ever, Cialis is available without prescription. And boy it’s an absolute game changer.

Approved for medical use only in 2003, the French call it ‘le weekend’ because basically this thing lasts in your system for 3 day.

Boner’s on demand, for 3 three days!

Perfect for a weekend away when you know you’re going to need a little help.

Try it through UK MEDS, use discount code EQUINTIES10 and thank us later.

p.s none of this is medical advice but we’ve tried it…

HEADLINE ROUND UP

IRISH RACES AXED

Earlier in the year, the BHA axed a plethora of races for the 2023/24 calendar to improve competitiveness. Notable scratchings included the Dipper on New Year’s Day and the Altcar Novices’ Chase while other races were swapped in the calendar to become a different race, notably the Tolworth now being called the Formby.

Yesterday, HRI followed suit to try and improve the 2024 calendar and one notable axing for the calendar is the Grade 1 Racing Post Novice Chase, won last year by SAINT ROI. 

This means that the Irish Arkle at the DRF is the only Grade 1 2m1f novice chase before Cheltenham, which is an interesting choice. Just last year, both the Racing Post Novice Chase and Irish Arkle were good races, which makes the one axing slightly confusing. The Morgiana is also understood to be under pressure, a race that has only attracted four runners in the last two renewals.

More: https://www.racingpost.com/news/ireland/fewer-grade-1-jumps-races-in-ireland-in-2024-as-racing-post-novice-chase-is-axed-as53t8e835XV/

GIDDY FOR GIDLEIGH  

Anyone on Racing X yesterday had just one horse to shout about, and they certainly made their opinion known. 

That’s because GIDLEIGH PARK bolted up at Newbury having travelled beautifully in the 2m4f novice hurdle. The five-year-old was moved into 16/1 for the Ballymore at the Cheltenham Festival, a fair price for a promising horse. 

Coming into the season, GIDLEIGH PARK was the big talking horse within the Harry Fry yard with the collateral form already stacking up from the little bits of experience he has on track, so to see him do this on the track is pleasing for the British training ranks.

He may not turn into the best in the division by the end of the season, as it will take a brilliant British horse to be the number one British contender in this space but boy is he one to follow.

More: https://www.racingpost.com/news/reports/ciaras-my-lucky-charm-gidleigh-park-impresses-for-harry-fry-as-wife-returns-to-the-races-after-kick-from-horse-aqY7Q0C3Yu3R/

CLARENCE HOUSE CRACKER

Speaking of very good horses, Nicky Henderson confirmed yesterday that JONBON will head to the Clarence House Chase at Ascot in January to potentially take on EL FABIOLO. 

In recent years, we have seen SHISHKIN and ENERGUMENE put on an incredible battle around the Royal course and it’s the next generation of two-mile chasers from Closutton and Seven Barrows who could provide us with a treat in the New Year. 

Henderson said: "It looks like it could be great with those two-milers. Jonbon and El Fabiolo look like two very good horses and we’re going to Ascot. I don’t know what Willie’s thinking but we’re going to Ascot. I said I would and he said the day afterwards he would. We’ll see what happens."

The pair set a clear standard in the division with the likes of CAPTAIN GUINNESS and SAINT ROI the next best and funnily enough, those two horses are set to clash in the Grade 1 Paddy Reward’s Club Chase on December 27th.

The former is the 6/4 favourite having beaten RIVIERE D’ETEL comfortably lto – he also has form with JONBON from the Celebration Chase and looks like the one to beat. 

That being said, SAINT ROI is no mug having finished third in the Arkle behind both JONBON and EL FABIOLO in March. He is a general 20/1-shot for next Thursday and although he disappointed lto, he won the Racing Post Novice Chase over course and distance last year, so that should give him a good chance.

RISK ON

A full house yesterday complimented by every horse from our Newbury preview being in the money for those following.

Today’s best bets are:

17.25 NAVAJO INDY

Has been selling off all morning, 11/8 out to 2/1. We’ll take that - good horse who apparently jumps like a stag. Full bro to a top hurdler and this lad could go in the same direction. 2/1.

16.10 FINE WINE

Good horse we’ve won on before and it’ll only be a matter of time before he pops his head up again - in this company it could be today. He is out of MULLED WINE so quite a fitting bet for this time of year making him today’s Christmas bet (sorry if you thought we had some monster plot lined up). 5/1.

CHARLIE FELLOWES EW DOUBLE

Charlie looks to have a few lined up today - he could have a good 15 mins. A GIFT OF LOVE in the 17.15 is supposed to have improved and TWIRLER in the 17.30 is capable in a weak race. At the prices, people might sniff at the ew suggestion but the place part will save your stake if one bumps into a better one. 11/1 ew double.

Word for QAZAQ in the 18.00 but he’s short so add to another as leverage. Fellowes double 20’s levered with this!