Sifting through today's eight cards, one horse stands out on his Boxing Day record alone. For the past two years, Victory Gunner (2.20) has won the 3m4f handicap chase at Market Rasen. He has looked in need of his two outings so far this season, but they should have put him spot on for the hat-trick bid. He got the better of Orki Des Aigles here last year and is better off at the weights with the runner-up today.
Two hurdlers who escape penalties for smooth wins last week have outstanding chances at the weights today: Naxox (1.40) at Wincanton and Breaking Shadow (1.00) at Wetherby. The latter would not want the ground too soft, but good to soft is the latest forecast, which should be fine.
I suspect the ground might be more testing at Kempton than the official reading, but it won't trouble Dancer's Serenade (3.45). He looks the sort to progress after just two outings for the Ferdy Murphy stable.
