Chrysalis Consortium

With jumps fans enjoying the excitement of the Grade 1 racing over the festive period the AW racing is more routine but a winner at Wolverhampton pays the same a Kempton and the Boxing Day card is full of interest.

The victory of Parlando at Chelmsford 11/1 – 5/2 was a highlight of what has been a great month for the consortium. He reappears on Boxing Day in the 4.35 – 3lb well in at the weights and expected to go off at around 6/4.

There was a good pace at Chelmsford where two horses ridden by 7lb claimers went off too fast, which enabled Parlando to be ridden patiently and then come through inside the final 2f to win impressively. However, the time was particularly good for the track and the race looks worth following.

Parlando is up to a Class 3 on Friday and more significantly the pace forecast is very weak. However, he has Won previously in a Class 2, where they went very slow and held up closer to the pace quickened to win well.

When asked to turn out previously within 7 days, Parlando recorded his highest RPR figure, so the quick turn around isn’t a problem.

It is significant that stable mate Trojan Storm also runs as both were declared at the entry stage for the 1m 4f Class 2 race at 3.35, a trip that would have suited Trojan Storm.

The fact they both run here suggests Trojan Storm drawn in Stall 1 will ensure at least an even gallop and Parlando ridden from closer to the pace from Stall 4 , can defy the penalty.

Zryan from the top form David O’ Meara yard is a threat but may not have the turn of foot that Parlando has and I anticipate the Ian Williams 5yo gelding to get first run on his rivals.

3pt WIN BET Recommended

The opener at 1.12 features the impressive last time out course winner Stratusnine who looks a horse better than this Class 3 grade and I expect, off an upgrade on this mark of 92, after winning this, he will be heading for AW finals day at Newcastle in April back down to 6f at that stiffer track. Or possibly over to Bahrain to contest valuable races in the early part of 2026, a route the yard has taken successfully in recent years.

The early markets have the improving 3yo as a slight odds on shot but that looks about right in a race where his profile looks to make him a class above his well exposed rivals.

3pt WIN BET Recommended

in the 3.05 El Bufalo attempts to get trainer Thomas Faulkner back on the winning trail after two months without a visit to the winners enclosure.

El Bufalo was one of a cluster of horses purchased by the South Wales based trainer ready for a winter AW season that has remained barren. There have been a few promising signs of late with two well backed runners here at Wolverhampton, Sultan of OJ and First Greyed looking likely to collect but just coming up short in the final furlong.

El Bufalo has the look of a horse primed for this race, with the booking of Cieren Fallon looking significant. However, he can be awkward leaving the stalls which could be a critical in a race where there will be a very strong pace heading into the bend and his draw in 6 could then be problematic.

Given the pace scenario and the winless run of the yard only a watching brief is advised.

Connections of Queue Dos in the 16.05 will have one eye on Stratusnine in the opener as the Course and Distance winner ran well behind the 3yo on his latest outing. He drops down in grade and is put at a big price of 14/1 in the opening markets.

His wins have came in Class 5 events off a mark of 73 which suggests today in this Class 4 contest rated 77 is probably beyond him , especially with trainer Stan Moore another that has been winless since October.

Finally on the Chrysalis tracker for Boxing Day is Spinning Dancer in the 5.35. This horse is very similar to stable mate Queue Dos in the 4.05, with the added negative of being a maiden after 16 runs.

Despite the weak pace possibly being in her favour which gives her a chance of being in the frame, backing maidens on long losing runs in Class 6 contests is ill advised.

No Bet Recommended