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Your Top 3 Races This Christmas

Discussion in 'Horse Racing' started by OddDog, Dec 18, 2020.

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  1. OddDog

    OddDog Mild mannered janitor
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    Not long until the festive season upon us and there are, as always, plenty of top class races to keep us entertained. SO which 3 races are you most looking forward to over the holiday period and why? Here are mine:

    1. King George - so often the highlight of Christmas for me with the exploits of Dessie and Kauto Star still fresh in my memory. It will be perhaps a little subdued this year with no crowd but the race never fails to live up to its billing, even if it is often a small field affair. Paul Nicholls looks to hold the aces this year with reigning Champ Clan Des Obeaux and the hugely impressive Charlie Hall winner Cyrname, but hopefully we will see a strong challenge from Ireland (Henry de Bromhead seems very keen to run Monalee) and who knows maybe even Waiting Patiently ;)

    2. Savills Gold Cup - a stunning entry list (I count 13 rated 160 or higher) and this is another race which very rarely disappoints. The 2012 renewal, where Flemenstar breezed towards the final fence looking all over the winner only to be overhauled by First Lieutenant and Sir Des Champs and then the Gigginstown pair gobbled up on the line by the fast-finishing Tidal Bay is one of the most heart-stopping races I have ever seen.I've no idea who might win this year's renewal but it will be a blinder.

    3. Christmas Hurdle (Kempton) - although not always ultra-competitive I just love the way those slick, speedy 2 mile hurdlers whizz around Kempton. This year we will hopefully get to see whether anything can lay a glove on Epatante but all evidence to date would suggest this will be a penalty kick for the mare (albeit very easy on the eye).
     
    #1
    OddDog, Dec 18, 2020
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  2. Reebok

    Reebok YTS Mod
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    Can I be the first cynical one to say any race where I've picked the winner?

    I can wallow in the nostagia of past Boxing day meetings as much as anyone, and who knows, maybe this year's will throw up some just as memorable races.
    But they are always better when your selection comes good :)
     
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    Reebok, Dec 18, 2020
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  3. NassauBoard

    NassauBoard Well-Known Member

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    Does the 22nd count as Christmas?
     
    #3
    NassauBoard, Dec 18, 2020
  4. OddDog

    OddDog Mild mannered janitor
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    Why not? I just meant the general Christmas / New Year extended window. I don't see a Southwell card on the 22nd though Nass <laugh>
     
    #4
    OddDog, Dec 18, 2020
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  5. NassauBoard

    NassauBoard Well-Known Member

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    1:35 old boy
     
    #5
    NassauBoard, Dec 18, 2020
  6. OddDog

    OddDog Mild mannered janitor
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    True enough - I remember the year Cue Card got up to pip Vautour - I was in hospital after my first bike accident and had a decent win bet on Cue Card. With 2 left to jump the wife came to visit me (I was watching the race on the laptop). She came in and said asked how I was and I said "hang on a minute - Come on Cue Card". Luckily she saw the funny side <laugh>
     
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    OddDog, Dec 18, 2020
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  7. OddDog

    OddDog Mild mannered janitor
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    Aha - the project <ok>. Good man - best of luck. Is he going to win?
     
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    OddDog, Dec 18, 2020
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  8. NassauBoard

    NassauBoard Well-Known Member

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    <laugh> I asked him this morning, he didn’t reply.

    The lass who rode him calls him Lazy Boris so that tells you what he shows at home!
     
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    NassauBoard, Dec 18, 2020
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  9. Ron

    Ron Well-Known Member
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    How are you Reebs?
     
    #9
    Ron, Dec 18, 2020
  10. mallafets123

    mallafets123 Well-Known Member

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    The race to the dinner table once the Turkey is carved up is mine.
    Love the KG, I was in Lanzarote when Thistlecrack won a few years back, superb performance it was too.
     
    #10
    mallafets123, Dec 18, 2020
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  11. CaptainPops

    CaptainPops Well-Known Member

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    1) Number one for me over the Xmas period has to be the King George. It's a Christmas tradition to sit down around 2.30pm to get ready to watch that. I am looking forward to watching this year's renewal especially as Nass has dismissed Cyrname's chance in this and I look forward to egg on face time for him come Boxing Day..:emoticon-0105-wink:
    2) Has to be the Welsh slogfest that is known as the Welsh National (when it survives the weather). Love this race which is steeped in tradition.
    3) I m not sure the Kauto Star Novices chase attracts the best field ever but I like it as a warm up for the King George. In between carving up the meat and pouring out some wine and/or necking some more lager if I can get this on without the family moaning too much I ve done well..

    Lets hope the King George is a cracker..
    :emoticon-0167-beer:<bubbly><cracker>
     
    #11
    CaptainPops, Dec 18, 2020
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  12. stick

    stick Bumper King

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    ABSOLUTELY NOT...!!!!!!
     
    #12
    stick, Dec 18, 2020
  13. Ron

    Ron Well-Known Member
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    That reminds me. I forgot to put Mars Ice cream on the shopping list. Oh well, maybe home made banoffee pie again; but that is not a project for me, oh no

    Good luck Nass
     
    #13
    Ron, Dec 18, 2020
  14. NassauBoard

    NassauBoard Well-Known Member

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    upload_2020-12-18_18-31-57.jpeg
     
    #14
    NassauBoard, Dec 18, 2020
  15. stick

    stick Bumper King

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    #15
    stick, Dec 18, 2020
  16. NassauBoard

    NassauBoard Well-Known Member

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    So obviously the answers in the correct order are

    King George - The lovely sense of repeat winners of this race, Kauto Star, the Christmas Star. Then you have the hype horses, Vautour, Champagne Fever, Footpad, Master Minded, who all make the market for horses with the course & distance form. Good times!!

    Welsh Grand National - Some massive results in this race, it normally brings either a dour stayer to the fore or a proper staying chaser for the big races. It is one of few handicaps in the season that has been strong in the last decade. A proper test and a race that is normally entertaining to watch.

    Desert Orchid - not normally a big field, but this goes in purely because of Altior and Sprinter Sacre and the fact that this year we can have the Christmas game of Guess Who. Actually, Guess What? As in, What will Nicky Henderson use as the excuse to pull Altior from a clash with Put The Kettle On and Duc De Genievre.
     
    #16
    NassauBoard, Dec 18, 2020
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  17. Reebok

    Reebok YTS Mod
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    So, so Ron. Out of hosptal on Tuesday, started displaying some possible covid symptoms today. Test kit ordered.
    I feel that the sympoms are from other issues I have, but the test will confirm I guess. Thanks for asking :)
     
    #17
    Reebok, Dec 18, 2020
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  18. OddDog

    OddDog Mild mannered janitor
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    This is what I mean about the Christmas Hurdle - some top class horses here (mostly owned by JP McManus)

     
    #18
    OddDog, Dec 22, 2020
  19. Pilgrim

    Pilgrim Well-Known Member

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    I hope you are well, I have been more than twenty days in the hospital for COVID, ten of them in the ICU. Still I have not recovered.

    Regarding the question after what I've been through, anyone seems good to me but I really like Welsh Grand National, in fact I have a bet on Prime Venture 25/1 e/w. I hope goes ahead.
     
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    Pilgrim, Dec 22, 2020
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  20. OddDog

    OddDog Mild mannered janitor
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    Hope you are feeling better <ok>
     
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    OddDog, Dec 22, 2020
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