Richard Dunwoody - Winning Tips From a CHAMPION

By Richard Dunwoody

THE King George VI Chase produced one of the best performances from a horse in living memory. Kauto Star's 36-length romp was undoubtedly one of the highlights of this, or any season. Paul Nicholls is right when he said this week that it will take a “momentous” performance to beat him in the Cheltenham Gold Cup next month. The Champion trainer said: “He is the best he has ever been and if he turns up at Cheltenham at the top of his game, then it will be a momentous performance by anything to beat him, be that Denman or whoever.” Those in behind him at Kempton on Boxing Day were made to look third-rate horses, which they are not. Madison Du Berlais and Nacarat, respectively second and fourth in that race,

Produced one of the best performances from a horse in living memory Kauto Star

had Gold Cup third-favourite Imperial Commander behind them. They are no slouches.

That pair renew rivalry at Kempton again this afternoon in the Grade 3 Racing Post Chase at Kempton and NACARAT (15:05) can turn that form around with David Pipe’s runner. Former Hennessy Gold Cup winner Madison Du Berlais, who wears blinkers for the first time, carries top weight and has to concede 4lb to the Tom George-trained Nacarat, who also has the services of champion jockey AP McCoy aboard today. Nacarat did most of the donkey work last time and he’ll again prove hard to pass.

The other one worth noting is the Venetia Williams-trained Atouchbetweenacara, who is something of a forgotten horse. Made ante-post favourite for the Boylesports.com Gold Cup at Cheltenham in December, he looked in need of the run and although travelled well, he folded tamely. Having had a spell with Tim Vaughan, he is now back with the Grand National-winning trainer and she anticipates that he runs a big race. Atouchbetweenacara has solid each-way claims at around 13.0.

WOLF MOON (13:30) makes plenty of appeal in the 2m5f Handicap Hurdle. Rookie trainer Michael Keighley is going great guns at present and Warren Marston renews the partnership. He was on board when winning off a mark of 118 at Cheltenham in November and the lightly-raced seven-year-old franked that form, again beating Balthazar King at the same course off a mark of 125 under Wayne Hutchinson last time, making it four wins from six starts. He has plenty of ability and idled in front last time. It is worth noting his performance today, since he has entries in three races at Cheltenham next month (Pertemps Final, Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle and Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle).

COOL FRIEND (16:10) chased home Carole’s Legacy for the second consecutive occasion in a mares’ novices’ chase at Ffos Las last month. That was only her second run over fences and she did nothing wrong.
She runs against the boys today in an extended 2m 4f handicap and while there are some in-form rivals to account for, she might be a reasonable each-way price. In any case, she looks very capable of winning a race of this nature.

IT IS a real pity that Newcastle’s Eider Chase meeting fell to the weather, because I was looking forward to seeing how former Scottish Grand National winner Iris De Balme ran on his return to chasing after almost two years off with a tendon injury. Trainer Sean Curran is now looking to go to next Saturday’s Grimthorpe Chase at Doncaster, with the plan being the Aintree Grand National after that. Iris De Balme is a 41.0 chance for the National with Victor Chandler and if he comes through his prep successfully, he will be running off a 3lb lower mark than when taking the Scottish version at Ayr by 14 lengths from Halcon Genelardais in 2008. Former Norwich City striker Lee Power, how owns the horse, said: “We are focussed on running Iris De Balme at Aintree, because we feel the further he goes, the further he wins. And to be honest, we want to live the dream. “He needs about 30 horses to come out of the race and the handicapper has either done us a massive favour or a massive disservice if we fail to make the cut. “We’ll head to Ayr again if we don’t run at Aintree.”

Richard's selections:

15:05 Kempton Nacarat 1 pt win at SP

13:30 Kempton Wolf Moon 2 pts win at SP

16:10 Kempton Cool Friend 1 pt e/w at SP


About Richard Dunwoody

One of the greatest jockey’s in British racing history, Richard Dunwoody broke the previous record for the greatest number of career wins for a jump jockey of 1678 when Yorkshire Edition won at Wincanton. Richard went on to ride a career total of 1699 winners. That mark was finally beaten by Tony McCoy in August 2002. As an amateur jockey, he rode his first winner on Game Trust at Cheltenham in May 1983, and the following spring rode a four-timer at Hereford as a 7lb claimer. He was champion jockey for three seasons and is one of only four post war jockeys to have captured the illusive triple crown of the Gold Cup (Charter Party 1986), the Champion Hurdle (Kribensis 1990) and the Grand National (West Tip 1986 and Minnehoma 1994). Richard also rode more than 100 winners in ten consecutive seasons.  His best season saw him ride 197 winners in 1993/94. Yet, to most, he is most well known for his partnership with the iconic Desert Orchid. The pair won seven races, including the King George V1 Chase in 1989 and 1990.

Richard has undertaken various expeditions since hanging up his boots, including a 350-mile cross-country ski race to the Magnetic North Pole and in January this year completed an amazing 673 mile trek to the South Pole, something he considers his greatest ever achievement.

He joined the BBC racing team at Aintree this year, writes a column for the Daily Mirror pull-out section on Saturdays and is a consultant to the British Racing School at Newmarket, where he coaches young and up-and-coming jockeys.

Richard Dunwoody also runs his own highly successful racing service. Recent winners include Wayward Prince 4/5, Ginger Grey 9/4, Grey Command 11/10, Dvinsky 11/8, Clear Sailing 11/10, 'Shadows Lengthen 11/4, Gargano 11/8, Milans Man 11/10, Qozak 2/1, Oiseau De Nuit 2/1, Clear Sailing Evs, Wunder Strike 2/1, Ere Alfie 100/30, Doctor Pat 9/4 & What A Friend 11/2.