Jockey James Best rode into the history books yesterday when he partnered Britain’s longest-priced winner, courtesy of 300-1 shot Blowers, who landed the first race at Exeter in attritional conditions. The horse was named after retired cricket commentator Henry Blofeld, who is nicknamed ‘Blowers’.
Tomorrow, I am hoping the same jockey can ride arguably his favourite horse to victory at more conventional odds when he partners My Silver Lining in Haydock’s Betfred Tommy Whittle Handicap Chase (2.05 p.m.).
This nine-year-old grey mare gave Best, who hopefully would not be offended at being described as a ‘journeyman jockey’, his career highlight when the pair won the Wigley Group Classic Chase at Warwick in January last year.
The moment was all-the-more special as the horse is owned Celia Djivanovic, the mother of Best’s wife Izzi. Both women were at the course along with the rider’s sons, Eddie and Ollie, to cheer home My Silver Lining to a game success.
Soon to turn ten years old, My Silver Lining is definitely not the force of old and she has, in fact, run ten times since that victory almost two years ago without winning again. As a result, however, she is down to a lovely official mark of 120 and she will carry just 10 stones 3 lbs tomorrow. Soft ground and a return to Haydock where she has run well in the past are also pluses. After some poor form last season, her two runs this season have shown more promise and so back her 1 point each way at 8-1 with William Hill, paying a generous four places in a 12-runner field.
Moving down to Berkshire for racing tomorrow, the Ascot Rotary Club Festive Handicap Hurdle (3.35 p.m.) – that’s the ‘Ladbrokes Hurdle’ in old money – is a highly-competitive 13-runner affair with Mondo Man, Alexei and Wilful the top three horses in the market. They all have a good chance of landing this contest, as does Fiercely Proud who won the race a year ago.
However, at a double-figure price, I would rather be on HELNWEIN, who has run two superb races in defeat in his last two runs. Alan King’s seven-year-old gelding was second to Our Champ in the Pertemps Network Swinton Handicap Hurdle at Haydock in May and then filled the same position behind Alexei on his seasonal debut in the Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham last month.
Helnwein will be 9 lbs better off at the weights with Alexei tomorrow and, on the likely better ground, he could well gain revenge. Back him 1 point each way at 10-1 with Coral, paying four places.
The best race at Ascot tomorrow is the Grade 1 Howden Long Walk Hurdle (2.25 p.m.) in which I had been tempted to put up Potters Charm at around 9-1 for the Twiston-Davies clan (joint trainers Nigel and Willy plus jockey Sam). However, he has a bit to find with all nine rivals on official ratings and is untried over three miles (other than when he fell early on) so this will simply be a race for me to watch and enjoy.
Instead, I am going to put up a second bet in the Coral Welsh Grand National at Chepstow on December 27. I remain sweet on my first tip, Shomen Uchi, put up each way at 16-1 but I want to go in double-handed with O’CONNELL from the West Yorkshire yard of Joel Parkinson and Sue Smith.
O’Connell only beat five rivals in the Betfair Exchange London National Handicap Chase at Sandown earlier this month but there was a lot to like about the way he won. Chepstow is his next destination bar a setback and he should thrive in the stamina test and the likely soft ground. This was Parkinson’s upbeat assessment of the horse’s chances last week in a stable tour on the attheraces.com website:
He is flying the yard flag at the minute and he will go for the Welsh National. He was tough at Sandown and I think we have him the best we’ve ever had him. He is still improving as he was lightly raced as a young horse and I can’t wait to run him in the Welsh National.
Back O’Connell 1 point each way at 10-1 with bet365, Ladbrokes or Coral, all paying four places.
A very merry Christmas to all readers of the column, almost all of whom are generous with their comments after a winning tip and anything but vitriolic after a losing one. It’s good to have so many readers on this site who enjoy their racing and know their horses. All in all, this has been a profitable year for the column so here’s hoping that continues until the very end of 2025 and deep into 2026.
Pending:
1 point each way My Silver Lining at 8-1 for the Tommy Whittle, paying 1/5th odds, 4 places.
1 point each way Helnwein at 10-1 for the Rotary Club Festive Handicap Hurdle, paying 1/5th odds, 4 places.
1 point each way Shomen Uchi at 16-1 for the Welsh Grand National, paying ¼ odds, 4 places.
1 point each way O’Connell at 10-1for the Welsh Grand National, paying ¼ odds, 4 places.
1 point each way Romeo Coolio at 16-1 for the Arkle Chase, paying 1/5th odds, 3 places.
1 point each way Derryhassen Paddy at 25-1 for the Brown Advisory Chase, paying 1/5th odds, 3 places.
Last weekend: + 18 points.
1 point each way Ga Law at 25-1 in the December Gold Cup, paying 1/5th odds, 4 places. Non runner. Stake returned.
2 points win Lavida Adiva at 10-1 for the Doncaster Mares’ Hurdle. 1st. + 20 points.
1 point each way Pretending at 18-1 for the BetMGM App Mares’ Handicap Hurdle, paying 1/5th odds, 4 places. Unplaced. – 2 points.
2025-26 jumps season: running total – 6.1 points
2025 flat season: + 84.12 points on all tips.
2024-5 jumps season: – 47.61 points on all tips.
2024 flat season: + 41.4 points on all tips.
2023-4 jumps season: + 42.01 points on all tips.
2023 flat season: – 48.22 points on all tips.
2022-3 jumps season: + 54.3 points on all tips.
Total for six full seasons of tipping: + 126 points
Comments