Tramore New Year's Day Preview

The first race of the day at Tramore on New Year's Day is the two mile Maiden Hurdle and the horse that takes the eye is the Henry De Bromhead trained Not Available.

The six year old gelding has only been once in his career to date and he finished a good third at Navan out of 20 runners.

The son of Milan will be sure to have learnt a lot for that experience and like many from this family have improved a fair bit next time out.

A two mile handicap hurdle comes next and at a nice price the six year old Mr Manhattan looks to have a big chance if coming on for his first run of the season.

Having threatened to have ability in bumpers and over hurdles last term, he could not quite back it up with his performances, but on his sole run this term he may have turned a corner.

The son of Fame And Glory finished a nice sixth of 13 on handicap debut behind No Grey Area's and Chalky White that have since gone on to frank the form of that race by winning nicely in better events.

Although Mr Manhattan needs to improve, he has to have a live chance.

The 2m5f Maiden Hurdle is one of the more competitive races on the day with plenty of horses in with a chance of landing the event.

We have sided with the Henry De Bromhead trained Minella Escape, who although falling on debut sets the standard in this race off the back of his last run.

Having won a point to point at the second time of asking he was sent to Punchestown in September and was running a determined race before falling at the last.

He put that run behind him last time out at Navan when finishing a bright second over 2m4f and stepping up and extra furlong gives him a big opportunity to get off the mark.

The penultimate selection from us at Tramore on New Year's Day is the 2m5f Handicap Hurdle and the horse that could take some beating is Added Bonus.

The John Walsh trained gelding, although not setting the world alight with his form is having his first start in a handicap and has been given a nice mark.

He has run three times in maiden hurdle events this season with his last effort being the one to take note of, finishing seventh of 14 behind the Grade One winning Appreciate It.

The form of that maiden has been franked with Mullins' horse winning a black type event since and also the second winning twice since.

The feature event of the day is the Grade Three Savills New Year's Day Chase and there should only be one winner of this race.

Al Boum Photo has been the winner of this event for the last two seasons before going on to land the Grade One Cheltenham Gold Cup at the festival.

A short priced favourite, the nine year old should routinely win this race before heading back to the festival looking to become a record breaker and land the festival feature for a third straight year.

The nine year old has been a superstar during his career and landed the first Gold Cup for his trainer Willie Mullins, who at the moment is in the form of his life.

There have been some shocks during the Christmas period but if Al Boum Photo does not win this Grade Three event then it would be the biggest by far.