Good morning from another impermeable grey early hour in Worcestershire, where the Majors central heating creaks into gear and the wood burner spits and crackles alive. The coffee pot has bubbled away and the Major has studied in the knowledge that this is the final chance to serve up some winners in 2011.
Fingal Bay, apple of Hobbs eye
Until a fortnight ago, recent racing form was pretty bad. Then it went disastrous and bottomed out in the worst run the Major has ever had. I gave up monitoring performance in the top tabs some time ago because it was a lot of hassle to keep recording all bets. At the time, horseracing was definitely profitable, football and other sports much more dubious.
With the recent run, even the horse racing profitability for the year must surely be in doubt. Still, the Major blunders on blind, like a wounded animal, stumbling forever forwards, onwards and relentless, recklessly positive. Remember, even the blinded squirrel will find the odd nut.
The Major has fallen very low, but shall rise up.
A New Year tomorrow and the Major will probably make a face-lift to the site, let us all hope it is on the back of a post that closes 2011 with some winners. Shabash!
The Major may well start the New Year with a visit to Cheltenham. Oscar Whisky is the star turn out and I may pop down to watch, may see you there?
It hammered down last night and the Major is pleased to see Uttoxeter pass its inspection, soft ground is the order of the day, we shall try to find some horses that enjoy having their toe in the mud.
The Challow Hurdle – Newbury
Fingal Bay can only be backed at 4/11 and given that Hobbs described his as one of the best he has had, you have to think that he is by far the likeliest winner of a shallow looking Challow Hurdle field. Hobbs has yet to declare which race at Cheltenham he is aiming Fingal Bay at, he is clearly well loved at home though and it would be a surprise to see him beaten here.
This is no bet to serve up to the Majors followers though, when we are seeking funding for a New Years Eve celebration.
Therefore, I suggest backing Fill the Power each way at 22/1 with Corals and sticking that selection in a reverse forecast with Fingal Bay too.
Fingal Bay should really win readily, his Graded novice hurdle wins already look impressive enough and there seems to be more improvement to come, an exciting prospect.
1.40 and 2.45 Lingfield – The Fancy and the Steamer
The Major offered up Irons on Fire a few weeks ago when 8/1 on the previous evening and went off at an astonishing 6/4. See, the Major always smells a gamble.
That day, Irons on Fire and Rowan Ridge pulled clear of the pack and my selection was second and reported a tendon injury. They re-oppose today with a 3lb pull for Irons on Fire and the booking of Kieran Fallon suggesting that better is expected. He can entitled to be better for the last turnout and Irons on Fire is still well below his best marks from a couple of years previous so I advise a strong win bet.
In the 2.40, I have another steamer at 6/1 that I urge you to back early because I think the money will come.
Taajub is my selection who I think could be coming back to hand from a handy draw and a mark that has fallen 25lbs since his glory days finishing a quarter length second in an Ascot Group 3 to Our Jonathan. That old form is far better than anything else can boast in the field and so all hope is pinned on a return to something near like it.
Te reason that the Major thinks Taajub may well be about to turn a small corner is his last run which went into the notebook. Over 6f around Kempton, he met a wall of horses coming into the straight and had to veer sharply left before getting his run, he then stayed on well to finish 5th but was less than 2l from being the winner.
That run suggests better to come and that 7f holds no fears too. I wish Novellen Lad was not in the field because the booking of Fallon makes you fearful that he is also handily placed but I am going to stick my neck out with a 6/1 (Skybet) tip for Taajub.
2.05 Newbury Novice Chase
Finally on the horseracing front, I wanted to offer my tip for the Novice Chase. Three absolutely cracking prospects line up in Cue Card, For Non Stop and Walkon.
The first has the most experience over fences but seems a little short of top class. This is a shame because the Champion Bumper that Cue Card won seemed to single him out as a future champion, since then he has not quite gone on.
Walkon had a superb debut over fences at Exeter and certainly looks to be a worth favourite. He never quite recaptured his Triumph Hurdle form from 2009 when coming back from injury last season but the Exeter run seems to have marked a new era for Walkon and he could be a first-rate chaser.
With that said, the Major is going to tip 11/4 shot, For Non Stop. My selection is 11/4 and on chase debut finished runner-up to the exciting Al Ferof. This is a race that should suit and I expect further progress.
Finally, if you need one more tip! 1.45 Warwick, Great Reason 6/4 should win readily enough.
To the football…
Ironically as the racing star has dulled in recent week, the Majors football tipping has been OK. From a jam packed New Years Eve coupon, the Major has picked out a handful of tips…
Norwich at 28/17 are a good thing to beat Fulham at home, Norwich have enough firepower up top to take three points here.
I continue to mine the seam of Spurs and expect them to win at Swansea so 8/11 is a backable proposition.
Finally Hull at 9/4 to win at Burnley is a monster price for the Major. Get stuck in and send me a postcard.
May dinner be generous and enjoyable. It is your last of the year. Indulge. Make sure that company is forgiving and fun, after all, it is New Year and to breeze in the fresh annum with anything else is a waste.
Courage, roll those dice.
UK Horseracing Tips - The Major 