Equinties - Sheikh up?

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All eyes were firmly focused on Warwick yesterday, well, racing Twitter eyes anyway, as JONBON made his chasing debut. And good Lord, he did it in emphatic style.

In a three horse race, with one non-trier, he didn't beat much but he did all that was expected of him and at this point, it's safe to say the hype has been met. For now.

Let's dive in.

Headline Roundup

Sheikh up at Tweenhills?

Big whispers coming out of Tweenhills suggest the big Sheikh is moving all of his horses out of Tweenhills. Wtf has Redvers done to piss the Arabs off!?

100 horses export papers have supposedly been signed this week under all very 'hush hush' circumstances. This is potentially huge news and if true, will certainly shake the foundations David Redvers' business is built on.

Will write more on this as it develops. Disclaimer- this is purely rumours only and not based on any factual evidence. I don't wanna get sued by oil money.

Job done for JONBON

JONBON made a foot-perfect start to his chasing career yesterday as the full-brother to DOUVAN bolted up at Warwick to beat MONMIRAL by a very easy seven lengths.

Nicky Henderson's six-year-old made all over the 12 fences and looked to never get out of third gear while Paul Nicholls' Grade 1 winner could only watch on. Ridden tamely, WEST CORK was always aiming for third.

The Grade 1 Henry VIII Novices' Chase at Sandown in early December looks to be next on the agenda for 1-2 from Warwick despite MONMIRAL looking like he could do with a step-up in trip.

As expected, the bookmakers responded to this seasonal debut by bringing JONBON into around 2/1 for the Grade 1 Arkle at Cheltenham in March, with some firms going 7/4 about JP McManus' exciting prospect - one firm has kept their price at 4/1, however.

More:

ELIMAY vs SCARLETT AND DOVE - round 3!

A Cheltenham Festival rematch is set to happen at Clonmel today as ELIMAY and SCARLETT AND DOVE both lineup for the 14.23 at Clonmel, a Listed 2m4f Mares Chase.

The markets have the pair priced up at roughly the same price, with the latter just a touch shorter at 15/8 while the former is as big as 5/2 following SCARLETT AND DOVE's dominant victory at Punchestown last season.

The Willie Mullins-trained mare has a 1/5 record in races off the back of a 100+ day lay-off whereas her main market rival is 0/3 and both are giving weight away to all but one of their rivals - could this set it up for a horse who is potentially better fresh?

A proper Grade 2 to finish

Towards the end of the card at Clonmel today, four are set to go to post for the Grade 2 Clonmel Oil Chase over 2m4f, a race that sees last season's Irish Arkle winner, BLUE LORD, try 2m4f over fences for the first time.

His only other start over the extended distance was in January 2021 where he was soundly beaten by the subsequent Grade 1 Ballymore winner BOB OLINGER at Naas - four from five over fences last season reads well but how will he face up in open company for the first time?

He couldn't have picked a tougher race to get his season underway as last season's King George winner TORNADO FLYER opposes from the same stable.

TF's record fresh isn’t the best and his 173 rating on RPRs in the King George was followed by three disappointing runs to end the season - Boxing Day is surely the one and only aim for this lad?

The most race-fit horse in the lineup is DARASSO for Joseph O’Brien, a horse who was a close second to the legendary HEWICK in the Galway Plate.

The Grade 2 winner over hurdles has been campaigned as a three-miler over fences and over hurdles he ran over two miles - back to 2m4f, a distance he won at twice in 2021, will he catch his rivals out through his fitness?

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Newcastle bumper

Priced up at 2/1 on, let's see what could possibly take Scudamore's fave on.

MISS ARABELLA has a nice flat ped for the race and defo wont mind the cut. The big question is, being by NATHANIEL, is she any good? Well, at 12's and given it's a weak af race, probs not but old sly Sandy can win a bumper occasionally.

The ew play on Walford's has been squeezed. He recorded an rpr over >100 lto but was well bet in the end. If he strips fitter for that, he'll be itm.

Our view: Walford's should follow Scudamore's home with Sandy's a possible danger.

Market Rasen bumper

Fergal's fave (shock) has had a run so might come on for that but he was well off the pace lto at Chepstow. Taking on.

KANKIN is a big price in this considering the way he ran in a bumper last time out - can't really knock it and Fergal's has boosted the form too.

The horse I'm looking at today is BLUE FIN for big Don with the champ jock steering. His last bit of form is proving quite useful - a point where 1st DE LEGISLATOR, 2nd SNAKE ROLL and even 5th THOMAS MOR have all gone on to win under rules.

Our view: I'm putting the feelers out for BLUE FIN to see if they think he's up for the job today.

Risk on

A little over 12 months ago, big owner, Wade, landed a Sedgefield treble courtesy of Rebecca Menzies. We tweeted it, most of you all got on. I think Wade has his Christmas bet lined up again.

12.33 FUTURE BENEFITS & 14.48 THE PADDY PIE 31/1

Looks like Wade has laid them out for today. Tbh, the ground is becoming a bit of an issue, they’d both be better with less rain but looks like they’re going for it.

Following last year's Sedgefield treble (Menzies had a four-timer that day), it looks like Newcastle is the venue today which suits both Menzies, who targets it, and the Sue Smith horse who has won there before.

Only a small bet on the ew double as ground is a big concern for me now. 31/1 ew double.

Note: Given that Menzies orchestrated the gamble last year, perhaps she too has lined them up today? I'm not convinced I AM GONNA BE has the pedigree for today's race (yes, I know it's placed in points but the sire has done f all). Point winner LADY MENDOZA looks a big threat having the ped better suited for a stamina test. Won a point easily too.

GONE IN SIXTY looks like a gamble in the same race Menzies other horse, THREE PLATOON runs in but I can't see her's out the top 3. The Menzies treble pays 155/1 if anyone enjoys a speccy lunch money play.

Further bets will be on Twitter.