Horse racing fans are in for a treat over the next few weeks, with the schedule packed with some mouth-watering top-class action.
Many stars of the National Hunt scene will be on parade as they continue their preparations for the big spring festivals at Cheltenham, Aintree and Punchestown.
It is a similar story on the flat, with things beginning to ramp up at Meydan as the build-up to the Dubai World Cup continues apace.
Read on as we take a closer look at four horses worth following over the next few weeks.
Envoi Allen
Envoi Allen is at the head of the Cheltenham betting for the Marsh Novices’ Chase in March after racking up a ten-race unbeaten record under Rules.
Trainer Gordon Elliott has confirmed that the seven-year-old will continue his preparations for the Festival in the Killiney Novice Chase at Punchestown on January 17.
The Cheveley Park Stud-owned horse has already won twice at the Cheltenham Festival and is rated as banker material to complete the hat-trick this year.
Stable companion Andy Dufresne has also been declared for the Punchestown race, although Elliott will probably decide to keep them apart.
Dubai Warrior
John Gosden’s classy all-weather star is heading to Dubai to participate in Round 1 of the Al Maktoum Challenge at Meydan on January 21.
Last year’s Group 3 Winter Derby winner has won six of his eight starts on the all-weather, but he is yet to compete on a dirt surface.
The four-year-old is being primed for a run in the Saudi Cup in Riyadh during February and will need a big run at Meydan if that is to come to fruition.
Dubai Warrior finished third on his most recent outing, narrowly failing to give the classy Sangarius 3lb in the Quebec Stakes at Lingfield Park.
Politologue
Poliitologue will put his Cheltenham Festival credentials on the line on January 23 when he contests the Clarence House Chase at Ascot.
The Paul Nicholls-trained grey won the Champion Chase last March and is gearing up for a repeat performance this spring.
Duc De Genievres, Impact Factor and Sizing Pottsie are amongst Politologue’s main rivals at Ascot, although his biggest threat could come from Defi Du Seuil.
Philip Hobbs’ gelding won the race last year but is on a recovery mission after failing to sparkle in his last two outings.
The Jam Man
The Jam Man will also be out for redemption as he tries to win the William Fry Handicap Hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown in early February.
He looked on course to win last year’s renewal, but was hampered four flights from home and could only finish second behind Treacysenniscorthy.
Ronan McNally’s seven-year-old claimed sixth behind Main Fact at Haydock in November – a run that his trainer says has put him spot on for Leopardstown.
McNally plans to run The Jam Man at Cheltenham in March and will decide on the horse’s target after his next outing.
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Suzanne Ashton, Founder of Everything Horse (Est, 2012), has a BA Hons in Marketing Management and a Diploma in Equine Science. Suzanne has ridden and owned horses all her life and has twelve years of experience in marketing, writing, design, SEO, and website creation.