The horse racing broadcaster picks out his four best bets for the exciting Boxing Day races, including three from Kempton and one from Aintree.
Thankfully, the weather is set fair for Boxing Day where ITV’s six race coverage features no less than four Grade 1s. Last year over 60,000 people attended the seven domestic Boxing Day cards and with all of them looking set to be able to go ahead this year it is a helpful boost at a time when racing’s finances are under severe pressure.
The centre piece is a strong renewal of the King George VI Chase where the addition of some new blood to the staying chase scene adds some interesting dimensions. Last year Banbridge capitalised on a slow leap at the last from Il Est Francais to land the spoils, yet they both line up at big prices this time around.
Willie Mullins (2/10, A/E 1.45 since 1998) has rarely targeted the race to the degree he does this year, with Gaelic Warrior and FACT TO FILE (14:30 Kempton) both towards the top of the market. Mullins went over 12 years post Florida Pearl without even having a runner and only once has he saddled the favourite (Allaho third in 2023). The two met in the John Durkan at Punchestown last month when Fact To File looked all over the winner between the last two only to find his mercurial stable companion too tough to crack. Gaelic Warrior had been able to build up considerable track advantage that day and the effort required to close on his seasonal return just seemed to catch Fact To File out on the run in.
It looks unlikely that Gaelic Warrior will have his own way to the same degree up front with both Il Est Francais and The Jukebox Man also usually ridden forward. That could set things up for both Fact To File and Jango Baie, both of whom have good tactical speed and are less one dimensional. Jango Baie surprised me at Ascot, but I still feel at this stage Fact To File has the deeper form and he can end J P McManus’s long wait for a win in the race. Given his domination of the Christmas Hurdle it is surprising that the closest he has come to winning the race was back in 1978 and 1979 when Jack of Trumps was runner up. In recent years, Chantry House and Spillane’s Tower have both been well beaten favourites but the credentials of Fact to File look a deal more solid and could end a near 50 year wait!
Nicky Henderson has dominated the Christmas Hurdle in recent seasons notching a total of 13 wins, seven of which have come in the last eight years. After the travails of Constitution Hill, it is Sir Gino who carries stable hopes here on a comeback issue of his own. Having impressed over fences last season he contracted an infection which turned very serious and looked to put his racing career in doubt. Whilst it is great to see him back there must be some concern from a betting perspective as to whether he can reproduce the same level of form and that is enough to make the short price none too appealing. Golden Ace once again benefitted from the capsizing of others to win the Fighting Fifth so preference is for the improving CELTIC DINO (13:55 Kempton) who has strong form lines, especially the Welsh Champion Hurdle win where he beat Alexei and Wilful. He stepped up in trip and grade when second to Wodhooh at Ascot, and looks far more certain to give his running than the two above him in the market.
Jamie Snowden is having an excellent season and the step up to 3m should suit WENDIGO (13:20 Kempton) in the Kauto Star Novices Chase. The drying ground may not be ideal for him or Salver but current favourite Kitzbuhel seems at this stage priced on potential over fences rather than achievement. With 59 wins this season, Snowden is already just three short of a career best 62 and having broken his Grade 1 duck on his 28th attempt with Julius Des Pictons at Aintree in April he can quickly gain another one here. On a day when the leading fancies for many races are in the usual big spending hands, success for his Racing Club syndicate owners would prompt great scenes in the winners enclosure.
The final Grade 1 of the day comes at Liverpool courtesy of the Formby Hurdle (named after the place not the window cleaner). Formerly the Tolworth, the race had an unexpected twist this week with unfounded rumours that short priced favourite Mydaddypaddy had suffered a season ending setback. Thankfully this proved not to be the case but if the full field of eight remain the race has a good each way shape, so with Neil King’s horses flying at present STORMING GEORGE (EW) (13:05 Aintree) could be the best angle. A comfortable winner last time at Doncaster, he has experience of the track when fifth in a Grade 2 Bumper which has worked out particularly strongly. If there are still three each way places come post time he looks a decent proposition to at least fill the frame.
The action on ITV starts a little earlier than usual so don’t miss what promises to be a super afternoon’s racing right up and down the country.
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