It’s showtime, child!
We haven’t seen the gee-gees in full move since Sunday however to make up for it, there are roughly 345 conferences throughout the UK and Eire on Boxing Day because the flag falls on the racing fiestas for the following few days.
Woof!
To release some further headspace for you, we’ve invited the three clever males of Matt Chapman, Mick Fitzgerald, and Ruby Walsh to zip by way of the ITV Racing extravaganza at Kempton, Aintree & Wetherby whereas the Timeform boffins have been busier than Marcus Rashford’s ‘advisers’ with their clock-watching chicanery.
The King George VI Chase at Kempton (2.30pm) is the characteristic race of the day however the undercard isn’t too shabby both. If Nicky Henderson’s nerves can take it, the lesser-spotted surprise horse Structure Hill is ready to grace the racecourse for the primary time in what appears like about 5 years within the previous Christmas Hurdle (1.55pm).
In the meantime, our pundits’ mission – which they’ve grudgingly accepted – is to deliver us extra festive cheer and winners on Boxing Day! Notably winners.
Let’s see in the event that they ship.
Kempton 12:45 Novices Handicap Chase 2m 4f
ES PERFECTO doesn’t have as a lot potential as a few of these however the going is ideal for him and he has a great deal of chasing expertise. Was third within the race final yr and received at Kempton final day trip.
Es Perfecto ran on this race final yr and completed a very good third to Blow Your Wad then and is just 3lbs greater within the weighs. Fireplace Flyer additionally has his likelihood.
Chief In The Park doesn’t must make the operating however I’d prefer to see him urgent the tempo from half-way and use his leaping means.
FIRE FLYER seems the half for chasing and there was loads to love about his first try at Exeter three weeks in the past.
Aintree 13:05 Grade 1 Novices Hurdle 2m 1f
I anticipate sturdy stayer POTTERS CHARM to show too sturdy. He scored nicely over 2m5f at Cheltenham final time and may sit and pounce late. He’s simply formally the most effective horse within the race at this stage.
Potters Appeal units the usual even when there’s a slight concern he drops again to 2m. He did win a 2m bumper at Ffos Las on heavy floor final season although by a large margin.
Potters Appeal needs to be nicely suited by sluggish floor and the lengthy straight at Aintree. He’s the most effective horse within the race.
POTTERS CHARM is but to style defeat underneath Guidelines and upped his recreation additional when scoring in decisive vogue at Cheltenham final month. He can lengthen his successful run.
Kempton 13:20 Grade 1 Kauto Star Chase 3m
It’s very onerous to get away from THE JUKEBOX MAN who was the most effective of those over hurdles. He did very well at Newbury final time on his chasing debut and may nonetheless be very onerous to catch out in entrance underneath Ben Jones.
The Jukebox Man jumped very well over 2m 4f final time when successful at Newbury final time, however he hung so badly left there {that a} right-handed monitor like Kempton is a priority. He’s the decide however it wouldn’t be a shock if he’s overwhelmed.
The Jukebox Man is a tentative decide. He has the shape however the tendency to leap left is a priority. His chase kind is stronger than Hyland’s current win.
THE JUKEBOX MAN seems like making a fair higher chaser than hurdler judged on final month’s 2½m Newbury Grade 2 success. He’ll be onerous to beat again at 3m.
Wetherby 13:35 Rowland Meyrick H’cap Chase 3m
SOME SCOPE is attention-grabbing. A weight of 10st 2lb will swimsuit and he might need extra to present now he’s had a wind operation after a poor effort at Cheltenham first day trip this season. He ran all proper when fourth within the Rehearsal Chase final time and may hopefully construct on that.
Sine Nomine can get again to her finest after her Foxhunters Chase win at Cheltenham. She unseated on her seasonal run however is domestically educated and coach Fiona Needham could have focused this contest for her.
Tahmuras has but to fulfil his potential over fences however this seems like the kind of contest that swimsuit him. A tentative decide.
CRUZ CONTROL had a very good first season over fences and with a spin over hurdles underneath his belt, he’s taken to regain the successful thread.
Kempton 13:55 Grade 1 Christmas Hurdle 2m
The mash up everybody has wished to see between former Champion Hurdle hero CONSTITUTION HILL and rising star mare Lossiemouth. Lossiemouth has received 9 of her ten begins and Structure Hill is unbeaten in eight races so this actually is particular. Don’t let me down Nicky Henderson and Nico de Boinville!
The surprise horse Structure Hill appears again to his finest and I watched him education the opposite day and he was good. He’s nonetheless solely a seven-year-old and, regardless of all of the obstacles he’s needed to overcome since we final noticed him on a racetrack, I feel he’ll win.
Lossiemouth seems to be in nice kind however this race revolves round what model of Structure Hill turns up. He has achieved excess of Lossiemouth has and if he’s 100 per cent prepared, he’s the most effective horse within the race. We’re not going to know till simply earlier than the off. Control the market and if the cash comes, he’s price siding with.
LOSSIEMOUTH has much less to show than the returning Structure Hill who made it 8-8 over hurdles on this race 12 months in the past. The Irish raider can take benefit if Structure Hill shouldn’t be at his best possible after a yr off.
Kempton 14:30 Grade 1 King George VI Chase 3m
The three French challengers are the three lowest rated horses within the race and but IL EST FRANCAIS has been smashed up for the race over the past week. An enormous run within the Kauto Star Novices Chase put him on everybody’s radar. If he can overcome the ‘bleeding’ points he’s had just lately, then he can lead them dwelling from the entrance.
Il Est Francais would have been my fancy however he burst a blood vessel final time when overwhelmed in France. Spillane’s Tower is a worthy market chief and if his coach feels the bottom is comfortable sufficient for him to run. He’s the one I’d prefer to be on.
By a means of elimination, I’ve come down on the aspect of the younger and bettering Spillane’s Tower.
SPILLANE’S TOWER made a really encouraging return to motion within the John Durkan and appears the best way to go along with additional progress probably now again at 3m. Betfair Chase runner-up Gray Dawning seems better of the British.
*All costs are bang updated with our snazzy widgets, whereas odds in copy are correct on the time of publishing however topic to vary.
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