Kempton 27th December
1.55 Kempton – Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (3m½f)
Emmpressive Lady can score a three timer for the inform Sue Gardener team. Last time out at Sandown Emmpressive Lady won in good style, when staying on in the heavy at Sandown on Handicap debut followed her Exeter success. The mare has been raised five pounds for her Sandown win and will certainly have no problem in stepping up to this trip.
Unibet 5/1 win
3.40 Kempton – Handicap Hurdle (2m)
Eddiemaurice has lined up for this race every year since 2016 and his record in the race reads 5213 (and only beaten 1½l when fifth in bunch finish). He shaped well in a competitive Ascot handicap on reappearance and 3lb drop form handicapper most welcome. Any rain will benefit him, and he simply can’t be overlooked.
Boxing Day 26th December
1.15 Kempton – Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (2m 4f)
Hold The Note can strike for the Mick Channon team as he finally drops back to today’s trip of two miles four furlongs, which he has been crying out for as he simply doesn’t get three miles. Hold The Note ran really well for a long way at Cheltenham last time out this month before the distance saw him fade from two out. He’s now five pounds lower than when third to the classy Imperial Aura at the Festival. Hold The Note was travelling well when hampered and pulled up in this last year. He has a good each way shout at minimum here. Unibet's 15 To Go offer will be live on this race.
Unibet 10/1 each way
1.50 Kempton – Kauto Star Novices’ Chase (3m)
If The Cap Fits won on smoothly on chasing debut at Flos Las and never looked happy at Sandown when second to Pym. Headgear returns, the trainer Harry Fry is on top form and if this Grade 1 winning hurdler jumps like he did at Flos Las then he has a good chance here in a more open looking contest than the betting suggests. Unibet's 15 To Go offer will be live on this race.
Unibet 4/1 win
3.00 Kempton – King George VI Chase Grade 1 (3m)
Clan Des Obeaux (nap) can strike for the third time in succession at a course where he performs so well. He travelled and ran really well to finish second to Bristol De Mai at Haydock, with conditions very much suiting the winner that day. This will have been his target and we know he will have improved plenty from that performance. His stable rival Cyrname is top rated and whilst he looks sure to travel much stronger than last year he still has to find 21 lengths. Also, his Charlie Hall success this season doesn’t match up to the favourite. Unibet's 15 To Go offer will be live on this race.
Unibet 15/8 win
Waiting Patiently is only a nine-year-old, yet it seems as though he has been around for years. He is having his eleventh start over fences today, having only once been out of the first three once when being unseated here in the 2018 renewal (4/1 that day) through no fault of his own. On his last start in December 2019 in the Tingle Creek he finished third to Defi Du Seuil and Un De Sceaux after getting outpaced then storming up the Sandown hill to just lose here. We know he goes well fresh, has won at Kempton and he has reportedly been working well at home. Unibet's 15 To Go offer will be live on this race.
Unibet 25/1 each way
3.35 Kempton – Handicap Hurdle (2m 5f)
Distingo was a very useful novice, who was probably badly handicapped for much of last year but has refound form with fitness this season and dropped a big hint in refitted cheekpieces last time here at Kempton that his turn wasn’t far away. He was fourth on that occasion over three miles and half a furlong and the drop back in trip is a plus.
Unibet 14/1 each way
Runswick Bay makes his handicap debut for the Emma Lavelle team, having finished 221 on his three starts over hurdles. He still has plenty of improvement to come and the step up in trip is a benefit too.
Unibet 10/1 each way
Abandoned
2.50 Chepstow – Welsh Grand National Handicap (3m 6f)
Springfield Fox finished second over hurdles here earlier this month on his first start since the Cheltenham Festival. The conditions were heavy that day and Springfield Fox won at Chepstow in January in testing ground. This seven-year-old might be less experienced than many of his rivals, yet this ex-point-to-pointer looks to have an excellent chance off a good weight.
Unibet 7/1 each way
Bobo Mac has ground to make up with Secret Repreive and The Two Amigos on form here last month but travelled well into the contest before getting tired and will strip fitter here. Testing conditions won’t be an issue and this nine-year-old can make his mark with Tom Symonds’ yard still in flying form.
Unibet 14/1 each way
