New Year preview of the weekend's valuable races High-class action continues over the New Year period in Ireland and the UK and to celebrate BoyleSports is continuing its excellent ‘Bet 10 Get 50 + Money Back if 2nd to the SP fav’ offer. Punchestown December 31 Punchestown’s feature race on New Year’s Eve provides the chance to unearth value. A total of nineteen take their chances in the Grade B handicap hurdle at 2.32 and trainer Gordon Elliott, who has won this twice saddles three this year. Riaan, a ready winner at Cork in November when stepping down in trip to 2 miles and 4 furlongs looks to be his main hope. Two horses from that race have since won and with Jack Kennedy in the saddle this consistent five-year-old looks to have a strong chance. Captain Conby boasts some of the best form in the race, having finished a 2.5-length third behind Shewearsitwell last time, who since bolted up at Leopardstown on Thursday. Captain Conby has also been seen finishing second behind the talented Eric Bloodaxe who finished 2nd in a big field Pertemps Qualifier at Leopardstown this week. Newbury December 31 The Grade 1 Challow Hurdle at Newbury has gone the way of Paul Nicholls the last two years and it looks likely that he will make it three on the bounce with the progressive £350,000 purchase, Hermes Allen, an impressive nine-length winner of the Grade 2 Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham. Paul Nolan heads over to the UK with his big hope Joyeaux Machin who chased home Facile Vega last Christmas. He was last seen winning a maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse by 5 lengths with today’s rival Kansas City Star, trained by Gordon Elliott, a distant 3rd. Nolan’s big hope will appreciate today’s better ground, and the trainer believes he has the potential to improve again up in Grade. He is worth an each-way play at a bigger price. Tramore January 1 The Grade 3 Savills Chase is the feature race at Tramore on New Year’s Day at 2.15 and while only five take their chance, the race boasts plenty of strength. Minella Indo, 2021 Gold Cup winner, lines up alongside the Mullins-trained Stattler, other declarations for the champion trainer include El Barra and Cilaos Emery. Stattler is an improving type and is remarkably consistent, having just got up to prevail in the Challenge Cup at Cheltenham, however he will have a tough task taking on the high-class Minella Indo, giving him 8 pounds. Cheltenham January 1 Grade 2 action at Cheltenham includes the Paddy Power Novices’ Chase and the Relkeel Hurdle. Monmiral is likely to be short-priced favourite for the The Paddy Power Novices’ Chase, this will be his second start over fences after he finished second behind Jonbon at Warwick on his debut over the bigger obstacles. He is fancied to get the year off to a flyer for Paul Nicholls who is seeking his third victory in this race. Thunder Rock, the highest rated in the field, has won his last three for trainer Olly Murphy and looks promising while The Real Whacker boasts course form. Olly Murphy believes he has a good each-way chance in the other Grade 2 on the card, the Relkeel Hurdle. His runner Brewin’upsastorm has been luckless at Cheltenham, most notably when falling at the last in this race 12 months ago, when going well. If he can stay on his feet, he should be available at a nice each-way price.
