Tatty's Racing Tips - Thursday 8th December 2011

Well I went into yesterday’s choices with a hint of trepidation, especially after how well things had gone on Tuesday. I soon had the impression that it was not going to be my day when Cristal Gem was beaten into 2^nd at odds of 2/5, but if anything things did improve. 2 winners (including Black Baccara at 8/1) and six 2^nd placed horses wasn’t a bad return in the end.

I make no secret of the fact that I have a preference for all-weather racing at Wolverhampton and Southwell. My record at Lingfield is patchy at best and as for Kempton it can be very hit and miss. 

Action from Kempton Park

For some reason I often do well at Wolverhampton (I grew up not far from Dunstall Park) and the different surface at Southwell (Fibresand as opposed to Polytrack) often throws up course specialists who prefer the softer sand, which are not difficult to pinpoint.

When it comes to Dundalk, I find that the cards are often so large and that the racing is so competitive, that is is very difficult to choose one horse over another.

You may be interested to read an article I had published a year or so back which explains the difference in the racing surfaces along with the history of all-weather racing and thoughts about its possible future. If so then please click on the following link: 

Has All-Weather Racing Finally Come of Age?

The stand-out national Hunt race of the day is the extended 2 and a half mile Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon (2.00). Henrietta Knight has an amazing record in the race, winning it 8 times between the years of 1998 and 2007. She brings the excellent Somersby here for a tilt at the crown and in all honesty the 7 year-old gelding should prevail. It is noticeable however that he has only won once in 9 runs in the last 2 years and questions do have to be asked. 

Just keep an eye on TARTAK who won this race last year at Newbury (meeting at Huntingdon abandoned). He has top weight to shoulder and ran poorly in France last month, but he undoubtedly has the ability to go close at a fairly decent price.

Finally let's get on to some suggestions for Thursday at Kempton Park's early evening meeting.

• 4.00 Mr Knightley - 2nd 8/11
• 4.30 Megalala-won 12/1
• 5.00 Boris The Bold - unplaced
• 5.30 Kingsdesire - won 2/5
• 6.00 Squad - unplaced
• 6.30 Silenzio - unplaced
• 7.00 Lucky Royale - won 11/4

Huntingdon

• 2.00 Tartak (ew) - unplaced