GREAT NEW ZEALAND STEEPLECHASE

RACE 4 - 6200m

LORD SPENCER / SMUG / BRUCIE / CHRISTMAS

Impossible to go past the Grand National winner in LORD SPENCER who has been spectacular this jumps season. Wanganui trainer J.J Rayner has been thrilled with his progress over the bigger jumps and the nine-year-old ZED gelding has been full of himself in in the way he won four in a row. If able to hold the form, the only question will be a hard run 6200m contest, but confidence is high, clean jumper and sure to be in this for a long way.

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SMUG comes into this after winning the Pakuranga Hunt Cup (4300m) on the course last start with his late, surging style coming to the fore surpassing ZEE HEIGHTS and finishing off best the last couple of jumps. This is a step up again, although set the pace and just as decisive winning over 4000m at Woodville the run prior and trainer Chris Wood looks to have the COMPLACENT gelding in fine condition.

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BRUCIE jumped like a stag leading most of the way in the Grand National at Riccarton but was run down by LORD SPENCER nearing the line and just couldn't find that little bit extra. Big effort to win the delayed Wellington Steeplechase dominating from the front and it was a masterly display by the Raymond Conners runner. Likely to take up that role again and fit enough to lead them on a merry chase.

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Paul Preusker has brought across CHRISTMAS from Horsham in Australia to add some international flavour but can it foot it with these tough Kiwi chasers? The French-bred nine-year-old won the Casterton Chase (3800m) in August and plugged away coming from last for 4th in the Australian Grand National (4500m) at Ballarat. Should have the miles in the legs and an interesting inclusion who could surprise.

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DUKE OF GLOUCESTER CUP

RACE 6 - 2200m

DERRYMAN / EARLY TIMES / SO CALL ME

Jo Rathbone scratched DERRYMAN from Trentham yesterday and travels north again after a bold effort for 4th at Ellerslie last start, and we were keen on the horse. A tough stayer, he won't mind getting his toe in with any more rain at the foot of the Kaimai's and these are particularly nice odds for a horse who could easily ein this based on that latest effort.

0-1 WIN HURDLE

RACE 1 - 3100m

YOLO / OUTOVSTOCK / TUTIN CANS

The Kevin Myers trained YOLO can jump and is co ing off a tough run in the 3210m Road to the Jericho flat race at New Plymouth when plugging away after being hampered at the 600. Won that race last season after a maiden Hurdle win at Trentham, but also been pulled up in a couple. Trusting Myers to have sharpened him up over the sticks and these odds seem fair for a ZED gelding, although wetter would suit.

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OUTOVSTOCK is a Tavistock gelding from the Nelson /McDougal stable who made ground to HEZA WARRIOR here over the 3100m two back, then only warmed up on Friday, so looks set for this with some serious fitness on his side. Looked a pretty reasonable flat horse at one stage, finishing 2nd to SON OF SUN at Ellerslie and 5th in a Balmarino behind EL VENCEDOR.

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Always liked the tenacity of TUTIN CANS, who is no world-beater, but God loves a trier and the ten-year-old is continuing on after a number of tough efforts for little reward. The ALAMOSA gelding did make ground for 3rd in an Open 3000m Hurdkd event at Woodville two back but has come up against a few good jumpers like BILLY BOY and ROC UP RALPH and he did defeat KICK ON at Trentham in June with a strong display.

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0-1 STEEPLECHASE

RACE 2 - 3600m

THE REPUBLICAN / TAIKA / RED NED

THE REPUBLICAN has been a but in and out for Kevin Myers, although we like this horse as a chaser being by THE BOLD ONE and he did run 2nd to TAIKA here on Friday, albeit by our one length. Will need to fight a mountain harder to make up that deficit, but open to improvement and may have needed it after being pulled up earlier in the month when misjudging a fence. Not terrible in the flat, so still in it.

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TAIKA gave them a jumping lesson on Friday but is still prone to throwing in a dud leap as he did two days ago at the last and blew the last fence the run before when looking likely to win at Te Aroha without any trouble. Heavily backed in after going so well this prep, but if the gelding switches off with the finish line in sight then it could be curtains. Really should be too good for them once again at this trip.

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RED NED hasn't been going too badly for John Wheeler with a third at Te Aroha on Friday, but a preverbal country mile 16 lengths off TAIKA. Finished 3rd at Hawera and Woodville in the two previous chases, so just lacking that punch at the end and will need to tey and stay a but closer. May have preferred it a bit wetter in the Heavy 10 range, but the ZED gelding has run some solid races when staying handy to the pace.

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RACE 3 - 1600m MAIDEN

YTOA

YTOA is a Peter Lock trained gelding we pinned on debut and the REILABLE MAN six-year-old didn't do too bad a job of it finishing 3rd at Wanganui on a Heavy 10. The trial at Te Rapa prior did indicate he may have some ability and bred to lap up conditions. Keeping very safe in this.

RACE 7 - 1400m RATING 60 HANDICAP

TRAINWRECK

TRAINWRECK has been anything but in the last few runs and stands out as the best horse in the last. The Wanganui trained galloper boxed on for third on that track before a 2nd over 1600m at Woodville and another runner-up spot to BOKUSHI at Wanganui back to the 1340m. Likely to set the pace and take up the running early. Could be hard to haul in at the 1400m with fitness on his side and the 3kg claim.