Today's main race, the Ladbroke, is a wide open affair. This is shown by the betting, where they are 9/1 the field. Two of the main fancies come from the Henderson stable which has lead to another tough choice for Barry Geraghty. From Rolling Star and Chatterbox, he has chosen the former. This was a horse that was well hyped as a juvenile, so much so he started a fairly short favourite in a competitive Triumph Hurdle. He ran a fairly average race that day, finishing 20-odd lengths behind the runaway winner. He then ran at Aintree and again ran below par. Haydock saw a successful reappearance this season, where he ran a solid race, albeit the favourite ran a bad race.
He has been hinted at being Champion Hurdle class, maybe that is why Geraghty opted to ride him. However, if he is going to be competing with the likes of The New One, My Tent or Yours and Hurricane Fly come March, he will have to be winning this, even of 11-11. Although Geraghty rarely gets it wrong, as proven by Triolo D'Alene in the Hennessy, I am willing to go against his judgement and plump for CHATTERBOX, a horse that beat the almighty My Tent or Yours as a novice, wasn't disgraced at Cheltenham against The New One and on his reappearance, was beaten into second having travelled well throughout and looking the likely winner 2 out. He will no doubt strip fitter for that and I rate him as having a great chance. Hopefully, come 3:45, they'll all be talking about Chatterbox.
Also think CITY SLICKER is not without a chance, being winning low grade races in Ireland but he's no Slicker Slacker.
As for the other selections for today, SALUBRIOUS in the Long Walk has a speculative chance. The odds on favourite in this race jumped woefully last time out and Salubrious has ran a couple of solid races this season, including a second to the progressive More of That and I think 8/1 about Salubrious is a decent bet.
Over at Haydock, the 2:05 will no doubt become a slog, so a horse like Tartak may struggle. NO PLANNING may run well with form in the book, although there are 6 in that race with decent chances.
The 2:40 is a far less competitive affair than it was before Puffin Billy was withdrawn and MORNING ROYALTY, who ran in Rolling Star's Haydock race last time out, is back in handicap company. This may improve his chances and could run well in a fairly bog standard Class 2 Handicap Hurdle.
After today, everything (racing wise at least), gears towards the King George, where a mouthwatering clash awaits. For now, I wish everybody a Merry Christmas and...
HAPPY PUNTING
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