12:45 Kempton – Es Perfecto (each-way)
13:05 Aintree – Potters Charm
13:20 Kempton – The Jukebox Man
13:35 Wetherby – Some Scope
13:55 Kempton – Constitution Hill
14:30 Kempton – Il Est Francais
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
Boxing Day on ITV Racing comes from Kempton, Aintree and Wetherby with an early show starting here with a competitive handicap chase over an extended 2m4f. ES PERFECTO doesn’t have as much potential as some of these but the going is perfect for him and he has loads of chasing experience. Indeed, Alan King’s charge was third in this last year and is now only 3lb higher despite winning last time to open his chase account. He’s rated 126, but has been 134 over hurdles so it’s not impossible he can go well. Gavin Sheehan rides and he has every chance of hitting the frame at least. The only issue is he’s 10 in a few days time.
This is a belter. The Grade 1 Formby Novices’ Hurdle over 2m1f. This is an outstanding renewal and probably the best novice hurdle you will see in Britain before the Cheltenham Festival. A few of these like to front run and for that reason I expect strong stayer POTTERS CHARM to prove too strong under Sam Twiston-Davies for old man Nigel. My selection scored well over 2m5f at Cheltenham last time and can sit and pounce late. He’s easily officially the best horse in the race at this stage.
The Grade 1 Kauto Star Novices’ Chase over 3m. Very hard to get away from THE JUKEBOX MAN who was the best of these over hurdles and did really well at Newbury last time on his chasing debut. That form might not be quite as strong as it looked at the time – Johnnywho has flopped since – but The Jukebox Man should still be very hard to catch under Ben Jones for Ben Pauling.
The Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase over 3m. SOME SCOPE is interesting for Richard Hobson with Callum Pritchard taking off 7lb. A weight of 10st 2lb will suit this horse and he might have more to give now. He had a wind operation after a poor effort at Cheltenham first time this season but then ran okay when fourth in the Rehearsal. He was beaten a long way that day, but it suggested he’s going the right way. Richard Hobson trains.
The Grade 1 Christmas Hurdle over 2m. The mash up everyone has wanted to see between former Champion Hurdle hero CONSTITUTION HILL and rising star mare Lossiemouth. It’s impossible to know how the latter will get on in his comeback, but he will get a lovely lead from Burdett Road and if he’s close to his best, he’ll be very hard to beat. Lossiemouth has won nine of her ten starts and Constitution Hill is unbeaten in eight races so this really is a special match. Choosing between the big two is obviously a guessing game but I’m here to do it and have done so. Don’t let me down Nicky Henderson and Nico de Boinville.
The Grade 1 King George VI Chase over 3m. The three French challengers are the three lowest-rated horses and IL EST FRANCAIS has been smashed up for the race over the last week. He was 14-1 seven days ago! Like Constitution Hill there is a massive risk with the Noel George-trained runner, who has flopped badly in two of his last three runs. Bleeding has been an issue, but hopefully connections have sorted that out. He was brilliant in the Kauto Star Grade 1 this time last year although the form of that race is very debatable. Times suggest, though, it was a huge effort and if he pops out in front he’ll be very hard to catch if staying healthy. James Reveley rides.
So best of luck, and pray for festive Yeeehaaas. You hear me Paddy?
12:45 Kempton – Es Perfecto (each-way)
13:05 Aintree – Potters Charm
13:20 Kempton – The Jukebox Man
13:35 Wetherby – Some Scope
13:55 Kempton – Constitution Hill
14:30 Kempton – Il Est Francais
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at the time of publishing but subject to change.
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