I'M ALRIGHT THANKS, JACK

Henry Daly’s mudlark did Ben Morgan a massive favour at Haydock.

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.