Tipping Tim’s Festive Tip

It’s five days until Christmas, so that means it’s only four days until we all have to fight our way through the crowds to waste our valuable winnings in shops that charge more for the wrapping than they do for the presents. Racing stops for two days on Christmas Eve so that the elves have time to hang up their silks and help Santa with the gifts, so we need to find some winners while we can!

The nap this weekend has to be Chatterbox in the Ladbroke Hurdle (3.35 Ascot). There aren’t many horses who have beaten My Tent Or Yours, but that’s exactly what this beast did at Newbury last season and he sneaks in here off 143 after a couple of subsequent reversals. He looked like a non-stayer at Cheltenham and might have needed the run on his return last month, and I fancy David Bass’ mount to outshine better fancied stable-mate Rolling Star tomorrow.

I’m heading back to my favoured Polytrack for the next best, and the pin has fallen on Alfred Hutchinson in the 2.00 Lingfield. This old timer is a bit of a favourite of mine, and although he can look a bit trip-less at times I think a fast mile is probably what he wants. He has been ticking over in good races for a while now and, with half of this field needing to prove that they still have a pulse, he could be ready to get back in the Winner’s Enclosure.

For the Trixie I’m going to hope that Galician sees out the extra furlong in the 2.35 at Lingfield. She is just about the most consistent Mark Johnston horse ever (which probably means she will fall out the back of the telly tomorrow) and she surely only has to repeat her recent form is be bang there a furlong out. Whether or not she will see out those last few yards is anyone’s guess, but I’ll be paying to find out.

Happy Christmas to all, and good luck with your festive punting!