Fancy working off some of the Festive excesses alongside viewing some cracking horse-racing? Then all roads lead to Chaddesley Corbett on Sunday December 29th for a seven race card that is almost certain to feature some tight finishes and ultra-competitive sport, writes Andrew King.

 

Having attracted a very healthy 127 entries from some of the top pointing yards in the country, the first race scheduled off-time is 11.00 on ground that is officially described as "good to soft and soft in places" with further updates over the Christmas period.

 

The Mens Open just about takes centre stage on a fascinating card with the return to action likely of last season's Lady Dudley Cup hero Jeux D'Eau, the progressive Lift Me Up and former Cheltenham Festival winner Premier Magic.

 

Line that trio up along with the likes of Saint Calvados, who boasted top class form under Rules a few seasons ago and the resurgent Rewritetherules, who is unbeaten since joining the Hannah Roach academy in two outings this Winter - and you end up with something of a mouth watering clash.

 

Jeux D'Eau showed he was definitely going the right way last Spring while Lift Me Up is likely to bring a sparkle of celebrity to proceedings as he runs in the colours of Formula 1 supremo Christian Horner and his ex-Spice Girl wife Geri.

 

Premier Magic has a few question marks by his name these days but goes well fresh, a remark which can also apply to Saint Calvados and Rewritetherules brings current winning form to the table but this contest represents his hardest task to date since switching to Roach.

 

And the competitive nature of the card does not end there as the Intermediate race promises to be every bit as exciting as the Mens Open with two of last season's upwardly mobile horses in the shape of Crocodile Lounge and Glenmount likely to lock horns.

 

Crocodile Lounge was learning on the job 12 months ago and shaped as if he had future star potential. Glenmount also did nothing but improve with each outing through the Spring.

 

The pair have met before at Milborne St Andrew last January with Crocodile Lounge coming out on top but it may well be much tighter this time around with Glenmount a couple of pounds better off at the weights.

 

However, it is definitely not a two horse showdown as Barton Snow made a favourable impression when scoring nicely at Knightwick and Kilfilum Woods is on a winning sequence for Francesca Poste.

 

There is a distinct possibility that Rewritetherules may take in the Conditions race rather than step up for the Mens Open, if that is the case he may well take all the beating but I'm Spellbound might be the one to spoil the party on his seasonal bow.

 

Gina Andrews' charge took a hefty fall when clear at the final fence at Larkhill but he ended the term on a winning note when seeing off a decent yardstick in the shape of Back It Up at Kingston Blount.

 

Andrews also has a great chance in the Ladies Open where she could be two-handed with Fairly Famous and Master Templar but both may have to take a back view of Willewonga, who went into a few notebooks by staying on well when runner-up around Knightwick last month.

 

The Conditions Race For Novice Riders is a fairly open affair where quite a few have chances on their best form but the pin has landed on Fan Club Aulmes, who was well backed on his return to action at Knightwick only to be worried out of it in the closing stages by Killer Clown.

 

Of the darker types, Llandinabo Lad catches the eye on his first try pointing and for trainer Jo Priest. He was useful under Rules but his stamina has to be taken on trust at three miles.

 

All eyes will be on the parade ring and the bookies boards for any clues before the Four And Five Year Olds Maiden which opens the card as many of the usual suspects in these types of races have entries and part of the intrigue is trying to spot an equine star of the future.

 

The three that appeal against the field at the time of writing are Avichi In The Park (Bradley Gibbs), Five Quarters (Josh Newman) and Sweating Bullets (Christopher Walker) but it's anybody's guess until the day and which ones actually turn up.

 

The concluding Six Year Olds And Over Maiden does not appear such a minefield of a race as the chances of Ideal Du Tabert are obvious on some of his previous form.

 

His jumping sometimes left a bit to be desired but he has joined the very capable Laura Richardson and with a clear round he should be good enough to see off the likes of Mumbo Jumbo.