Kempton Christmas Hurdle

[mayo]

NO. HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER RTF% JOCKEY OR TS RPR
1 1111-2 Cinders And Ashes25 5 11-7 Donald McCain67 Jason Maguire 151 156 158
2 2312-1 Countrywide Flame25 4 11-7 John Quinn100 Denis O'Regan 158 141 168
3 11F21- Darlan257 5 11-7 Nicky Henderson35 A P McCoy 151 154 165
4 246-11 Dodging Bullets40 4 11-7 Paul Nicholls65 R Walsh 150 129 157
5 221-14 Get Me Out Of Here32 t 8 11-7 Jonjo O´Neill35 Richie McLernon 159 159 166
6 1-R304 Mad Moose11 b 8 11-7 Nigel Twiston-Davies32 Noel Fehily 139 124 144
7 42190/ Punjabi978 9 11-7 Nicky Henderson35 Barry Geraghty 145 — —
8 301-12 Raya Star32 6 11-7 Alan King62 Robert Thornton 155 158 161

[Cooper]

Kempton's other big Boxing Day feature is the William Hill Christmas Hurdle in which Darlan, one of last season's top novice hurdlers, makes his eagerly awaited reappearance.

This stunning looker was only second to Cinders And Ashes (who reopposes here) in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham but then showed what he can really do when beating stable-companion Captain Conan at Aintree.

Ideally, Darlan would not be reappearing on ground this soft but time is running out with regard to a proper preparation for the Champion Hurdle and this course might suit him slightly better than my old favourite Countrywide Flame who thrashed Cinders And Ashes in the mud at Newcastle last month.

After that race, trainer John Quinn suggested that his admirable dual-purpose galloper would go to Leopardstown over Christmas as he felt that stiffer course would suit the horse better than Kempton - but there has clearly been a change of heart.

Back at Cheltenham (the scene of his Triumph Hurdle win) in March, I could see Countrywide Flame being a threat to all in the Champion Hurdle but Kempton may suit Darlan better.

It was ground conditions that seemed to explain a tame performance by Cinders And Ashes at Newcastle but he has won on soft and heavy in the past and one wouldn't know quite what to expect here.

Of the others, Dodging Bullets takes a step up in class after two Cheltenham victories this season, Get Me Out Of Here looks owner J P McManus's second string (McCoy rides Darlan) and Raya Star's best form has so far been in handicaps.

[Statto]

Barry G

I’m on PUNJABI (2.35) in the williamhill.com Christmas Hurdle when he makes his comeback after two years off with injury. Realistically speaking, this is a fact-finding mission after such a long time away and as a former Champion Hurdler he owes no one a thing.

The race itself is not the easiest to call although the likelihood of soft ground could well swing the balance towards Countrywide Flame.

I don’t think that the real Cinders And Ashes turned up to be second to him in the Fighting Fifth last time but the softer ground may still help Countrywide Flame to confirm that 12 length win but it should be closer.

Darlan, a horse I won on twice as a novice last season, gives me the impression he should cope with it OK and is certainly on the up. And although it’s a massive ask of Dodging Bullets as a novice I respect the fact that Paul Nicholls wants him in this. But with the prevailing conditions this should be another for Countrywide Flame.

[mayo]

Ruby

I team up with Dodging Bullets in a Grade 1 over hurdles. He’s progressive, winning twice this season, in as many runs, for me at Cheltenham.

He’s fit, jumps well and should handle the ground. But the bottom line is that Dodging Bullets is a novice against seasoned campaigners and has no more than an each-way shout.

[mayo]

AP

We should get a good indication of whether Darlan (2.35) is a worthy Champion Hurdle prospect. He has been forced to miss two races this winter because of the ground but it has now come to the stage where we need to get on with him. He needs to perform well here if the Champion is to remain on his agenda.

His form ties in closely with Cinders And Ashes, who beat him in the Supreme Novices’ at Cheltenham last March, but was well beaten by Countrywide Flame at Newcastle last time. I cannot see why that form should be turned round here so it all comes down to how much Darlan might have improved for the summer, if we are to shake up Countrywide Flame. You have to hope we can and though Darlan is a little pro, his fall at Newbury last February knocked his confidence a little and he jumped much better at Aintree than he did at Cheltenham the next time.

[Statto]

2.35 - williamhill.com Christmas Hurdle Grade 1 (CLASS 1) (4yo+) Winner £48,408 CH4 2m

9/10 – Raced within the last 6 weeks
8/10 – Had won at least 5 times over hurdles before
8/10 – Placed favourites
7/10 – Went onto run in the Champion Hurdle (no winners)
7/10 – Returned 11/4 or shorter in the betting
6/10 – Ran in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle last time out
5/10 – Went onto finish in the top 5 in the Champion Hurdle that season (no winners)
5/10 – Ran at Newcastle last time out
5/10 – Winning favourites
5/10 – Irish trained
5/10 – French bred
5/10 – Had run over hurdles at Kempton before
5/10 – Won last time out
3/10 – Ridden by AP McCoy
2/10 – Trained by Nicky Henderson
2/10 – Trained by Jonjo O’Neill

Note: The 2005 running was staged at Sandown
The 2010 renewal was run on 15th Jan 2011

[Hoof]

Dodging Bullets Pricewised.

Morning Line team all behind Countrywide Flame.

Nick Luck expects a big run from Punjabi,