Boxing Day
The best part of Christmas, if you’ve any interest in horse racing, comes on Boxing Day with the King George VI Chase, the midwinter championship of steeplechasing. It’s the race that made stars of Desert Orchid and Kauto Star, who won it nine times between them, and those of us who have been around long enough get rheumy-eyed over memories of Silver Buck, Wayward Lad and many others.
This year’s race is, like last year’s, a clash between Cyrname and Clan Des Obeaux, stablemates at Paul Nicholls’ yard. Cyrname is flashier, the horse who ended Altior’s unbeaten run, but can he find the stamina for a top-class race over three miles? We know that Clan does, having won the last two King Georges.
Santini is also in, trying to disprove the doubters, who reckon he has a touch of the slows. Waiting Patiently seeks a Christmas miracle for his small Yorkshire stable, having been brought down in the race two years ago.
Wetherby
11.50 Hollymount Holly 12.20 Mill Race King (nb) 12.53 Imperial Icon 1.28 Johnbb 2.05 Spiritofthegames 2.40 Sam's Gunner 3.13 Trooper Turnbull
Wincanton
12.25 La Reine Poutine 12.59 Momella 1.34 Sizing Cusimano 2.10 Guetapan Collonges 2.45 Southfield Harvest 3.19 Ouro Branco 3.50 Kandoo Kid
Kempton
12.40 Third Time Lucki 1.15 Son Of Camas (nap) 1.50 Shan Blue 2.25 Epatante 3.00 Clan Des Obeaux 3.35 Barbados Blue
Wolverhampton
1.45 Fashion Free 2.20 Make It Rain 2.55 Bashful Boy 3.30 Papa Stour 4.05 Boosala 4.35 Blue Moonrise 5.05 Sweet Bertie
The King George on Saturday is one of a stack of good races over the Festive period, with Kempton staging two other Grade Ones that day. Epatante seeks a second victory in the Christmas Hurdle, at the expense of those doughty old campaigners Ballyandy and Silver Streak, while Shan Blue, The Big Breakaway and If The Cap Fits bounce off each other in the Kauto Star, trying to prove themselves the best of the winter’s novice chasers.
In view of Irish dominance at the Cheltenham Festival in recent years, Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting will be essential viewing but Limerick may steal the show on Saturday with a fascinating Faugheen Novice Chase, the race in which Faugheen beat Samcro last year. The favourite is Asterion Forlonge, who you might remember as the mad, right-jumping grey who pushed a rival over in the Supreme. He faces strong opposition from Pencilfulloflead, who beat Latest Exhibition in the Florida Pearl last month.
#ExpertEye: Our team give mentions to Elixir D'Ainay and Captain Guinness, both unfortunate in the @SkyBet Supreme Novices' Hurdle.
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) March 10, 2020
RTV Tracker links:
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Expert Eye declarations in the next 48 hours >>> https://t.co/DTF6zJORZX pic.twitter.com/BIq95vOpXD
Sunday 27 December
Altior is the star of Sunday’s action at Kempton, making a belated reappearance in the Desert Orchid, with Duc Des Genievres, Rouge Vif and Sceau Royal ranged against him. On an important day for Altior’s trainer, Nicky Henderson, Shishkin will have his second run over fences in the Wayward Lad as he seeks to justify his status as hot favourite for the Arkle.
Meanwhile at Chepstow, the Welsh Grand National will be the puzzle that all punters want to solve. As is traditional, the going will be borderline unraceable after 30mm of rain on Monday alone, with plenty more to come over the weekend. Secret Reprieve is favourite to give Evan Williams a first success in the marathon handicap, with old favourites Yala Enki, Vieux Lion Rouge and Joe Farrell among the possible runners. The race will be run in memory of Kim Gingell, Colin Tizzard’s daughter and a driving force for years at his stable, who died of cancer in May.
Our condolences to all of Kim Gingell's family and many friends. pic.twitter.com/PAbqoYc5xk
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 17, 2020
Monday 28 December
This is Leopardstown’s big day, as the south Dublin track stages the Savills Chase, Ireland’s answer to the King George. Minella Indo heads the market, a 2-1 shot to give Rachael Blackmore her best moment in the saddle so far. The enigmatic Presenting Percy will have his fans, a move to Gordon Elliott having apparently helped, while Delta Work and Kemboy are both previous winners of the race.
Tuesday 29 December
Champion Hurdle types face off in the Matheson Hurdle, dominated in the past by names such as Istabraq and Hurricane Fly. Can Saint Roi make it as a top-class two-miler? It all went wrong for him in the Morgiana last month but the bookmakers evidently believe he can turn the tables on Abacadabras. Sharjah has won this for the last two years but is not being taken very seriously at 8-1.
Newbury stages the Challow Hurdle, a top-class novice hurdle, won in the past by Denman, Diamond Harry, Champ and Thyme Hill. Star Gate and Bravemansgame are among the potential stars entered this time.
New Year’s Day
Cheltenham hosts the main action in Britain, a card sadly now forced behind closed doors. The Dipper Novice Chase, a key Festival trial, is the feature race.
Confusingly, Tramore hosts the second Savills Chase of the festive period in Ireland; this one has become Al Boum Photo’s annual prep race for the Gold Cup but he may have a race on his hands this time, if Monalee turns up here after being prevented from travelling to Britain.
2019 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner AL BOUM PHOTO 🐎 is back, with an easy victory, once again in The Savills New Year’s Day Chase at Tramore Ireland 🇮🇪🐎🏆@TramoreRaces #alboumphoto #thoroughbred #HorseRacing pic.twitter.com/HCnMtsa3BL
— HBA Media (@_HBAMedia) January 1, 2020
You may not be in the habit of watching action from Tramore but this can be an influential card. Saint Roi won the opening maiden hurdle last year, on his way to Cheltenham glory in the County Hurdle.
