Kempton takes centre stage on an action packed afternoon of Boxing Day racing – with 11 meetings across UK & Ireland.
The heat ramps up on Cheltenham Gold Cup preparations as eight runners go to post for The King George VI Chase.
Willie Mullins saddles the market leaders – Fact To File and Gaelic Warrior with Nicky Henderson’s Jango Baie the best of the British chances.
The Jukebox Man, Banbridge, Djelo, Il Est Francais and Master Chewy make up the field.
76 SELECTIONS ACROSS 11 MEETINGS – VIEW THEM ALL HERE
kempton park preview
ladbrokes king george vi chase (grade 1)
fact to file & Gaelic Warrior
2025 Ryanair Chase winner, Fact To File, is set for the John Durkan rematch with Gaelic Warrior.
JP McManus v Rich Ricci was decided by a neck at Punchestown last month, with the latter coming out on top.
Mark Walsh rides Fact To File, with Paul Townend booked for Gaelic Warrior.
With the extra half-mile at Kempton this time, Gaelic Warrior looks the more assured stayer and gets the nod over his stablemate here.
The others
Arkle winner, Jango Baie, looks to be a better prospect the further he goes and last month’s comfortable success leaves little doubt about his ability to stay the trip.
The Jukebox Man is another looking for a fourth win in-a-row, has course and distance form, and plenty of untapped potential yet.
Banbridge won this last year but will have to find a lot more than he has shown in the last 12 months.
Djelo is looking for a hat-trick, but faces a tough ask to win his first Grade 1 here.
Il Est Francais finished second to Banbridge 12 months ago but was pulled up in the 1965 Chase at Ascot latest.
It would be highly unlikely that Master Chewy will win a race of this calibre, over this distance.
Forecast result: 1st gaelic warrior, 2nd jango baie, 3rd the jukebox man
ladbrokes kauto star novices’ chase (grade 1)
Kitzbuhel looked stylish on chase debut at Punchestown and possess all the speed, but has a question mark over the distance.
Salver benefits from an extra run over fences and his grade two success over three miles at Sandown is a great warm-up.
Wendigo was unlucky in the Albert Bartlett and he’ll be a sure-fire stayer.
Blueking d’Oroux, Crest Of Fortune and Thomas Mor complete the line-up.
forecast result: 1st Salver, 2nd kitzbuhel, 3rd wendigo
ladbrokes christmas hurdle (grade 1)
Sir Gino is unbeaten – including the last two years at Kempton – and reverts to hurdles on following a 12-month lay-off.
Golden Ace is a Champion Hurdle & Fighting Fifth winner and will provide real competition.
Celtic Dino’s Welsh Champion Hurdle is strong handicap form but is facing a touch of class in this.
Rubaud is looking for a hat-trick, but is in smart company here.
Tripoli Flyer and Give It To Me OJ make up the remainder.
forecast result: 1st sir gino, 2nd golden ace, 3rd celtic dino
others to note
Noble Park looks a great bet for a chase hat-trick in the opener.
It could be a great afternoon for Michael Buckley, with Ionian favourite to win the 3.05pm.
The final race of the day looks wide open, but Surrey Lord is of interest upped in trip.
Kempton Park picks
12:45 – Noble Park 13/8
13:20 – Salver 5/2
13:55 – Sir Gino 8/15
14:30 – Gaelic Warrior 5/2
15:05 – Gnomon 14/1
15:40 – Surrey Lord 6/1
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