MOST of you celebrated Christmas Day 2019 on the 25th of December, like any other year. But for me, Christmas came early as I celebrated it on the 21st instead.
Not through choice or religion but the fact bookmakers up and down the land decided to price up Flashjack, the equine equivalent of Michael Phelps, at 20/1 in a three-mile handicap hurdle at Haydock on heavy ground. So Father Christmas handed me my present four days early.
Henry Daly’s horse is a trusty old friend of mine and has made me plenty of dosh in years gone by. Whatever his mark, wherever it is, if it is heavy ground, this boy will run his race and it’s those sort of horses which you really gain an affinity with.
I couldn’t see him out of the places on Merseyside so I placed £15 each-way at 20/1 and awaited a return. Turning for home Dickie Patrick looked ultra confident and it seemed between him and the well-backed favourite, Big Shark. As the battle wore on, Patrick oozed confidence aboard Flashjack and even as they went to the line, he refused to pick up his whip as Flashjack eased ahead by 1½ lengths.
By this point I had lost my voice from cheering him on and although Patrick didn’t use his whip, my imaginary one had plenty of use as I masterminded a Soumillon-esque ride on the living room sofa. This was a vital victory going into Christmas.
Seven or eight years ago as a keen, enthusiastic 19-year-old punter, I would have been knee deep in open bets on Christmas Day but now as a wiser and more tactical punter, I wouldn’t have too many more than five selections on a busy Boxing Day.
In all honesty, I struggled to find that many this year as I deemed Boxing Day 2019 a below par edition which reeked of disappointment.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة February 2020 من Racing Ahead.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة February 2020 من Racing Ahead.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
LION ROARS TO TOP SPOT
John Anthony is right up with the pace as the speed horses kick on again
JUST STAY IT AGAIN SAM!
Paul Jacobs relishes a grand October climax with final Flat season flourish
TROY JOY OPENS THE FLOODGATES
lan Heitman recounts a month of stunning track highlights
FINEST LAP OF HONOUR
Graham Buddry tells the dramatic tale of Australia's brilliant Southern star
DOWN LAMBOURN WAY
Richard Eagle brings news from the Valley, Epsom and beyond
BOY WILL STEP UP IN THE WET
Ben Morgan sticks to his guns with 10 top tips to follow in the coming weeks
CUTTING BACK TO THE OLD DEBATE
Rolf Johnson weighs up one of racing's perennial chestnuts
FROM BOOK TO BOOKIES
The former Sky frontman turns detective in hunt for Arc clues
FUM-ING BUT NO DISGARCE
Jeremy Grayson picks it up in the sticks after a late summer jumps break
MEMORIES OF SIR MICHAEL'S EARLY DAYS RUN SO DEEP
Dave Youngman looks back at Michael Stoute's road to success