After the main event, a festive feast of racing action is upon us.
Kempton's King George meeting is swiftly followed by Leopardstown and the Welsh National.
And that's not all, as there are some excellent cards to savour right through until Cheltenham on New Year's Day.
Paul Nicholls aims to add to 12 victories for his horses in the Boxing Day feature, while Secret Reprieve looks to take back-to-back renewals of the Chepstow marathon.
Dual King George hero Clan Des Obeaux is feared by bookmakers Paddy Power – and his supporters will be buoyed by his "best preparation ever" according to his trainer.
In Ireland, Gold Cup favourite A Plus Tard is on show, by once again racing for the Savills Chase first prize.
Here at Mirror Racing we have the lowdown from two leading bookmakers about their worst results in some of the key races.
King George – Kempton, Boxing Day
Rachael Blackmore's fans have snapped up the sponsor's price about Minella Indo.
The top jockey will be hoping to have a smoother journey on the chaser than her recent trip to Britain to lift the BBC's World Sports Star of the Year award.
Just a week after she battled fog either side of the Irish Sea, Blackmore teams up with the high class performer at Kempton.
She had to watch from the saddle of the runner-up when Minella Indo struck in the Cheltenham Gold Cup back in March.
But the Blackmore faithful are banking on the right result this time.
"In the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase, the sponsors believe Minella Indo will be the worst result as the Rachael Blackmore effect has already begun. The Henry De Bromhead star is the 5-2 favourite for the Kempton highlight," said the firm's Nicola McGeady.
Paddy Power won't be toasting a hat-trick for Clan Des Obeaux.
"Clan Des Obeaux is the worst result in here. As the race has been up since last January, we laid a bit at 16-1 prior to his Aintree romp. He was 5-1 in September and the price has shortened into 11-4 favourite now," said spokesman Paul Binfield.
Kauto Star Novices’ Chase – Kempton, Boxing Day
Like the majority of racing fans, the bookies are divided over the Grade 1 novice event.
Bravemansgame and Ahoy Senor go head-to-head, a race which promises to be exhilarating as both like to make the running.
Jumping is the name of the game – and it is likely to be crucial here off a sound gallop.
"The race is being billed as a match and it is looking like the punters are all behind Ahoy Senor who is 11-10 from 11-8," said Paddy Power's Paul Binfield.
Ladbrokes' worst result would be Bravemansgame, "one of the bankers of the festive period" for their customers.
Racing Post Novice Chase – Leopardstown, Boxing Day
It's all about Ferny Hollow in this speedy test.
With Appreciate It staying over hurdles this season, punters who took good prices about his stablemate for the Arkle are sitting pretty.
He shrugged off an absence of over a year to power home on his chasing debut, from a decent yardstick in Coeur Sublime.
The home team does not look particularly noteworthy at this stage – and fans are plumping for Paddy Power's 9-4 favourite in the ante-post book.
"Plenty of punters took the 13-2 Ferny Hollow prior to his chasing debut and are in a great position now with him our 8-11 favourite for the Racing Post Novice Chase," said Paddy Power's Paul Binfield.
Welsh National – Chepstow, December 27
Officials at Chepstow endured a frustrating build-up when crowds were banned from sporting events in Wales.
Their feature meeting also ran without racegoers last season, when the Evan Williams-trained Secret Reprieve gained a home win.
With some big prizes already in the bag this time around, his stable will be hoping for the same result in front of the empty grandstand.
"A win for Secret Reprieve in the Coral Welsh Grand National would be another blow to the bookies, where he is the 9-2 favourite," said Ladbrokes' Nicola McGeady.
Over at Paddy Power, value seekers have been out in force.
"Highland Hunter (6-1 from 16-1) and The Big Dog (7-1 from 16-1) the worst results for us here," said Paul Binfield.
Savills Chase – Leopardstown, December 28
With Blackmore tipped to reign at Kempton, the trophies could keep on coming returned to home turf.
A Plus Tard cantered home in the Betfair Chase – and looks a strong contender to go one better in the 2022 Gold Cup.
Bookies make him the favourite this side of Christmas, at around the 3-1 mark.
It was in this race last year he burst onto the staying scene – and this field may cut up given several rivals run in the King George.
"The initial 5-4 A Plus Tard was popular with our punters and they look in a decent position with him 8-11 favourite now," said Paddy Power's Paul Binfield.
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