I might finally have a Grand National winner… and a Triumph Hurdle hope to put Goshen behind me once and for all

IF you are a true racing fan, today’s the real Christmas.

There are quite a staggering 11 meetings to watch while we all get stuck into the leftovers.

Sportsfile13 March 2020; Jockey Jamie Moore falls from Goshen after jumping the last during the JCB Triumph Hurdle on Day Four of the Cheltenham Racing Festival at Prestbury Park in Cheltenham, England. Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile[/caption]

It will be turkey sandwiches for most of us for the next few weeks, but the racing is nowhere near as bland.

For me, Kempton is always a meeting I look forward to. Whether I have runners or I’m just watching it, you still get a buzz.

Most of jumps racing’s best horses come out to play across the cards over the next few days and I cannot wait to get stuck in with my runners.

Lots of people, racing fans or not, will be glued to the action too and it adds a little element of pressure to your fancied runners.

The King George is setting up to be a cracker and Bravemansgame looks tough to beat, though I would settle for any home victory.

I have two runners at Kempton today, KOTMASK (12.45) and MARK OF GOLD (3.40), with a few more at one of my favourite local tracks, Fontwell.

I hope both can run good races, with the progressive Kotmask perhaps the best of the two.

He will need to bounce back from a fall at Sandown, but he was going well at the time and his form reads well.

Mark Of Gold will be lugging around 12st (less Niall Houlihan’s claim) but he does love Kempton and could not be ruled out.

Ironically, my best chances of a Boxing Day winner are at Fontwell, where NATURALLY HIGH (12.32) could be my best chance.

He ran better than the bare result on return at Lingfield and dropped in grade, with that run under his belt, I’m expecting much better things.

Tuesday, December 27 is the day I’m looking forward to most, with NASSALAM (2.50, Wednesday) hopefully giving me a reason to dream about having a Grand National winner.

He goes in the Welsh Grand National after laughing at his rivals in the trial race earlier this month.

He is 4lb well-in under a penalty and I really hope he can give us another big-race winner with Caolin Quinn aboard.

Grand National types do not come around very often and I would love to have the chance to prove I could train one.

Obviously, it all depends on what the owners want to do, but I reckon I can sweet talk them should he win tomorrow!

It feels like D-Day somewhat tomorrow, with SALVER (2.10, Wednesday) out to prove he is a Triumph contender after two very easy wins.

I have no idea what that form is worth, but I think he is classy and I’m rather desperate for a Triumph winner so the Goshen replay can be shelved.

Back at Kempton and I’m praying that my Grade 1 star EDITEUR DU GITE (2.30) can get back to his best in the Desert Orchid.

He announced himself with a 28-1 shocker in this race 12 months ago and then went on to win the Clarence House at Cheltenham.

Things have gone wrong ever since, but Kempton is a track that plays to his strengths and the ground should be in his favour too.

He does have to pull around top weight thanks to the race being swapped to a handicap, but he has the class to play a hand if he wants to.

I had plenty of runners last Saturday and it is fair to say I was rather disappointed by many of them after having high hopes.

Botox Has probably ran up to his best and I’m left with a dilemma. The Stayers’ Hurdle could be the race for him, but I will have to go away and have a good think.

As for Goshen, I’m totally at a loss with him at this point.

I have no idea where I stand with him and whether he really is in love with the game any more.

Where we go next is a total mystery. I would hope the handicapper will show some mercy so I can get him into a handicap and see.

Hansard simply had too much weight in the Betfair Exchange Trophy, running a good race given it did not really go to plan.

Much of the same comments apply to Teddy Blue, though it is tougher to find a silver lining to his performance.

As for Authorised Speed a day before, it was a real gut punch to see him come down on chase debut.

I would like to think he was on the way to victory, but the main thing is he is totally okay.

We will lick our wounds and go again, hopefully boosted from some festive winners. Be lucky!

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