Gold Present is perfect festive gift
“Having the family there made it extra special – fingers crossed, we can do it again, although I’m under no illusion about the task he faces.
“Cue Card sets a high standard as defending champion and Colin Tizzard has an unbelievably strong hand now that he’s also running Thistlecrack.
On the plus side, their presence helps to take the pressure off me.
“All the expectation is on them, not Tea For Two.”
Kelly is keeping her tactical plan under wraps, but she is happy t o discuss her psychological approach to the race. “I’m going there, not necessarily expecting to win, GOLD PRESENT (1.30) looks gift-wrapped for a Boxing Day punt in the novice handicap chase at Kempton.
Nicky Henderson’s six-year-old, a promising hurdler t wo seasons ago, impressed when winning on his debut over fences at Doncaster last month.
Jumping particularly well throughout, he appeals as the sort to continue improving over the larger obstacles, in which case a 7lb rise is unlikely to stop him.
At Huntindon, BETTER DAYS (2.30) is similarly shaping up to be a better chaser than hurdler and has strong claims of following up his recent Lingfield win.
A faller on his first run over fences at Ludlow last month, Nigel Twiston- Davies’s grey learned quickly from that to score with plenty in hand a fortnight ago.
Handicapper
but with the determination to enable my horse to run right up to his best,” she explained.
“He’s the most accomplished jumper of a fence I’ve ridden and Kempton is a proper test of a horse’s technique.
“It fills me with confidence that he’s already won a top
The handicapper has put him up 7lb for that success, but Twiston-Davies has negated the rise by booking smart 10lb claimer Tom Humphries, who has a 50 per cent strike-rate this season, with five wins from 10 rides. STAR race there. Also, he’s younger than his main rivals – seven is no age at all for a chaser.
“He’s still learning and has got plenty of room for improvement.”
Tea For Two has been brought along steadily this season, finishing fifth under a big weight on his reappearance RIDER (12.10) looked a natural on her hurdling debut at Fontwell this month and should be up to defying a penalty in Wetherby’s mares’ novice event.
Hughie Morrison’s grey was a useful staying handicapper on the Flat and has the class to go a long way over jumps.
Tom O’Brien, who rode her last time, said: “She’s got a big engine.”
VINNIE RED ( 1.45) shaped well on his recent return from a long absence and, with the cobwebs blown away, is fancied to make a successful switch to fences for the Fergal O’Brien yard at Market Rasen.