Followers of top racing expert Martin Dixon have enjoyed a profitable year in 2024. As the festive season unfolds, Dixon turns his attention to a few Christmas racing puzzles. Here are his selections:
11:55 Aintree – Lavida Adiva (6/1)
Ruth Jefferson’s Lavida Adiva showed great consistency during her first season over hurdles, finishing a commendable second in the Challenger Series Mares’ Final at Cheltenham. This season, she has faced tough assignments, but a return to racing against her own sex should see her back to her best. Crystal Glance may pose a threat with her favourable handicap, but Lavida Adiva’s staying power gives her an edge.
13:40 Aintree – Florida Dreams (3/1)
A Grade Two bumper winner at Aintree’s Grand National meeting in 2023, Florida Dreams has been promising over hurdles. His season so far includes a victory at Hexham and a solid fifth-place finish in the competitive Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham. Now stepping up to two-and-a-half miles, this distance looks ideal for Nicky Richards’ charge, especially with the stable firing on all cylinders.
13:47 Market Rasen – Inis Oirr (5/1)
Inis Oirr caught Dixon’s eye at Ascot a month ago, setting a strong pace before a mistake at the sixteenth fence ended his chances. Dropped a further 3lb and now in a weaker field, he has an excellent opportunity to redeem himself. With positive form leading up to his last outing, Dixon is backing him again to deliver.
14:30 Kempton – L’Homme Presse (10/1)
L’Homme Presse, trained by Venetia Williams, has demonstrated his ability to excel when fresh, notably beating Protektorat at Lingfield last January. He followed that with admirable efforts, including a fourth-place finish in the Gold Cup after competing strongly with top-tier rivals like Galopin Des Champs. The three-mile test at Kempton appears to suit him perfectly, making him an attractive each-way bet at current odds.