I AM lucky enough to be presenting in Kempton’s splendid Panoramic Restaurant over the two days of the Kempton Christmas Festival and what a privilege when you have a brilliant renewal of the King George VI Chase headlining a fascinating Boxing Day card. Remember on Friday we have the Desert Orchid Chase, with the remarkable Altior the star attraction. He is sure to draw the crowds as he has a great chance of recording his 15th chase success, following on from his 2018 victory.
This is a great time to go racing, with a mouth-watering clash between Samcro and Faugheen at Limerick on Boxing Day and of course the Welsh Grand National on the 27th.
Go racing and in the meantime have a fantastic Christmas Day. Cheers!
Boxing Day
1.55 Kempton – Kauto Star Novices’ Chase 3m
Black Op for the Tom George team has looked right back to form this year, having cruised up on seasonal debut when beating Mr Antolini at Stratford, ahead of doing nothing wrong when second to Champ at Newbury last month. Black Op steps up today to three miles over fences for the first time and surely can do better again now upped in trip.
Unibet 3/1 win
2.30 Kempton – Christmas Hurdle Grade 1 2m
A fascinating renewal and a tricky contest to weigh up, with Elixir De Nutz a definite each-way player. He will strip much fitter and come on plenty for his seasonal debut after a 343-day break in the Unibet International Hurdle at Cheltenham when leading for a long way before getting tired late on (not given hard race).
He really impressed last season when striking a three-timer, including a Unibet Tolworth Hurdle success at Sandown beating Grand Sancy (second to Fusil Raffles at Wincanton) before missing his Festival target due to injury.
This front runner and impeccable jumper could lead them all a merry dance here.
Unibet 18/1 each way
3.05 – Kempton – King George VI Chase Grade 1 3m
Cyrname can justify his top rating with course conditions to suit at Kempton and his front running style looking sure to see him just hold off his main challengers Lostintranslation and last year’s winner Clan Des Obeaux. This is despite the fact he doesn’t 100% convince that he will fuller see out three miles, yet we have seen plenty of two-and- a-half milers win before.
Also, he has looked so impressive over a shorter trip when breaking the unbeaten run of the mighty Altior at Ascot last time out and his brilliant success at the Berkshire track in February when emphatically beating the likes of Waiting Patiently and Politologue was eye-catching to say the least.
Remember he has won twice at Kempton and Harry Cobden has chosen Cyrname in favour of stablemate and 2018 winner Clan des Obeaux.
Unibet 13/8 win
3.40 Kempton – Handicap Hurdle 2m 5f
Mr Pumblechook had no chance against The Cashel Man at Newbury last month in a race where it paid to be up with the pace, but still easily best of the rest, when coming through from off the pace and is still on a good mark. In a race full of horses with questions against them, this progressive type simply looks the most solid option.
Unibet 11/2 each-way
Friday 27th December
1.20 Kempton Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase (Grade 2) 2m
Fanion D’Estruval is on for a five-timer, having delivered a commandeering display of jumping at Newbury in November on UK debut beating a good runner-up in Sully D’Oc AA.
This exciting prospect had moved from Guillaume Macaire’s yard after three successive wins and with current trainer Venetia Williams in such great form can strike again, receiving weight from his key rivals.
Unibet 13/8 win
2.50 Chepstow Welsh Grand National Handicap Chase 3m 6½f
Now McGinty (nap) has a good chance here for the excellent dual-purpose trainer Stuart Edmunds. Let’s not forget the running lesson Now McGinty gave the Gold Cup winner De Rasher Counter at Newbury back in January, a standout piece of form here. He also gave Santini a right fright at Sandown and basically looks about 10lb too low in the handicap. If he stays, he wins.
Unibet 5/1 win
Midnight Tune can run a big each-way race from the bottom of the weights for inform Anthony Honeyball. This eight-year-old mare won in heavy conditions over a much shorter trip at Exeter last week, having shown on her previous start that testing conditions suit when winning over three miles at Uttoxeter on her penultimate start.
She looks sure to stay and has definite place chances at a big price in either soft or heavy.
Unibet 40/1 each way
Prices time at correct of publication. They are subject to change.
