Hot To Trot: Christmas Special

Jonjo O’Neill (72% of horses running to form)

The form of the Jonjo O’Neill yard has been on the rise in recent weeks, with Pagero doing most for the cause as he recorded back-to-back wins at Huntingdon and Doncaster earlier this month.

The four-year-old went unpenalised on the most recent occasion and duly justified his prohibitive odds with the minimum of fuss, just needing to be pushed out to win by two and a half lengths. Useful on the Flat, the manner of that performance suggested he may have more to offer when the situation demands it, making him of definite interest when returning for his hat-trick bid.

Another who caught the eye on his most recent outing is Tedham, who showed himself to be on a fair mark when third in the competitive Betfair Stayers’ Handicap Hurdle at Haydock last month. He was doing his best work at the finish on that occasion, proving in no uncertain terms that three miles is well within his range, and his entry over that trip at Chepstow on Friday appeals as the most suitable of his two entries over Christmas.

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Stoney Mountain absolutely flies home to claim the Betfair Best Odds On ITV Races Stayers' Handicap Hurdle #ITVRacing pic.twitter.com/FFridfqaG2

— ITV Racing (@itvracing) November 23, 2019

Elsewhere on Friday, As You Like and Quarenta both appear to hold sound claims if lining up in the penultimate heat at Kempton. The former (who is also entered at Wetherby on Boxing Day) has won or been placed in each of his last nine starts over fences and should continue to give a good account, while Quarenta had plenty in hand when resuming ways at Fontwell earlier this month and his progressive profile suggests he may yet have even more to offer.

Last but not least, Annie Mc is well worth looking out for if making her chasing debut at Wincanton on Boxing Day. Admittedly, it looks a deep race with the likes of Maire Banrigh and If You Say Run featuring among the potential opposition, but she showed comparable form over hurdles and her background in points suggests she could take her form to another level in this sphere.

Venetia Williams (73% RTF)

Venetia Williams is currently operating at a remarkable 39% strike rate in December with 15 winners from 38 runners, including impressive wins for Espoir de Guye and One Style in recent days.

A member of our Horses To Follow over jumps this season, Espoir de Guye looks capable of making his presence felt in good novice company after taking apart a competitive handicap at Ascot on Saturday by 10 lengths, while One Style is another who may yet have more to offer – especially when the mud is flying – after extending his winning sequence to four at Uttoxeter on Friday, making all the running to follow up his Hereford win six days earlier by 20 lengths.

Espoir De Guye is an easy winner in the Plymouth Gin Handicap chase at @ascot

How impressive was that? 🙌 pic.twitter.com/ABFDHU7Mg5

— ITV Racing (@itvracing) December 21, 2019

Similar comments apply to Roll Again, who looked an exciting young stayer as he recorded a smooth success on just his second start for this yard at Ludlow on Wednesday. He is sure to progress as a chaser and will be well-in under a penalty if making a quick reappearance at either Kempton on Boxing Day or Chepstow on Friday.

Fanion d’Estruval made a sparkling debut for Williams at Newbury last month, barely coming off the bridle to make a mockery of his opening mark. That performance identified him as very much one to follow, and, still only a four-year-old, his scope for further progress identifies him as the clear one to beat when stepping up to Grade 2 level for Friday’s Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase at Kempton.

Williams is also set to be represented by 66/1-outsider Aso in the King George, while others with more obvious claims in the coming days include Belami des Pictons, who has a choice of engagements after catching the eye when fourth in the BetVictor Gold Cup last time, and the rapidly progressive Eceparti, who could attempt to complete a hat-trick at Chepstow on Friday.

Willie Mullins (73% RTF)

Over in Ireland, Leopardstown’s Christmas Festival takes centre stage and the fine form of Willie Mullins in recent weeks is an ominous sign for his rivals as he attempts to repeat the dominance that saw him saddle no fewer than 14 winners at the meeting in 2016.

Many of the biggest names at Closutton are set to appear at the four-day fixture, with Laurina perhaps the standout contender as the action gets underway on Boxing Day. The six-year-old created a deep impression when making the perfect start to her chasing career at Gowran Park last month, beating the classy Minella Indo with plenty in hand, and she may attempt to confirm herself one of the best novice chasers around in the first of the Grade 1s at Leopardstown.

An impressive start to life over fences for LAURINA!

Brings up a treble at @GowranPark1 for @WillieMullinsNH with a lovely performance!

📽️ @RacingTV pic.twitter.com/SOnUbE9Ciz

— Timeform Live (@TimeformLive) November 23, 2019

Mullins holds multiple entries in both top-level contests on Friday, with Chacun Pour Soi and Blue Sari looking the pick for their respective races. The latter was smart in bumpers last season and rates a leading contender for the Future Champions Novice Hurdle if building on the promise of his debut in this sphere, while Chacun Pour Soi is currently odds-on as he puts his Champion Chase credentials on the line in the feature event on the card. He is unbeaten in two starts for Mullins, including when beating the top-class Defi du Seuil at the Punchestown Festival, and this exciting prospect remains open to more improvement as he makes his eagerly-anticipated return.

Benie des Dieux and Kemboy are also set to make their first starts of the campaign on Saturday, with the latter appealing as the clear one to beat as he attempts to repeat his 2018 heroics in the Savills Chase. He established himself as Timeform's highest-rated staying chaser in training in the second half of last season, adding further Grade 1 wins to his tally at Aintree and Punchestown, and this race has reportedly been his target throughout the ownership dispute. The classy mare Benie des Dieux also recorded back-to-back wins in Grade 1 company when last seen and looks a worthy favourite for the Frank Ward Memorial Hurdle.

More gold for @WillieMullinsNH as Ruby Walsh guides Kemboy to Coral Punchestown Gold Cup victory, beating Al Boum Photo 🏆#PTown19 #PunchestownFestival pic.twitter.com/vS4Hd2xKVc

— Punchestown (@punchestownrace) May 1, 2019

Finally, Mullins is responsible for three entries in Saturday’s Neville Hotels Novice Chase, while all eyes will be on Klassical Dream as he attempts to get his Champion Hurdle aspirations back on track in the Matheson Hurdle. The pick of last season’s novice hurdlers, he remains one to be positive about despite suffering a surprise defeat on his return, with that outing fancied to bring about plenty of improvement.