*Odds quoted on the widget are Future Racing / Antepost prices which means that if your selection does not run in the race for whatever reason – you will lose your stake under traditional Antepost rules
It’s the most wonderful time of the year – because Santa’s sack is full of quality horse racing!
There are plenty of top contests on either side of the Irish Sea including the King George VI Chase and the Welsh Grand National as well as Leopardstown’s bumper Christmas Festival.
In addition to prestigious prizes, these races will prove informative for the big spring festivals including Cheltenham, Aintree and Punchestown.
The latest antepost horse racing odds can be found on the Paddy Power website and Paddy Power app, otherwise the key details for the big races over the Christmas period on either side of the Irish Sea are below.
Christmas horse racing calendar
DECEMBER 26
Kempton 13:20 – Kauto Star Novices’ Chase (Grade 1)
Distance: 3m
Winner: £56,950
Giovinco, an unlucky loser to Stay Away Fay in a Grade 2 at Sandown earlier this month, is battling multiple Grade 1-winning hurdler Klassical Dream for market supremacy in a race that looks likely to be informative. Challow hero Hermes Allen is set to represent Paul Nicholls and exciting French prospect Il Est Francais makes the trip across the English Channel.
Kempton 13:55 – Christmas Hurdle (Grade 1)
Distance: 2m
Winner: £74,035
Constitution Hill is the red-hot favourite to add another top-level success to his glittering CV. Rubaud, who won the Elite last time out, looks like the best of the rest but the C&D winner would need to produce an emphatic career best to even get close to the king.
Leopardstown 14:20 – Racing Post Novice Chase (Grade 1)
Distance: 2m1f
Winner: €59,000
Supreme second Facile Vega is the red-hot favourite to land the Racing Post Novice Chase after a successful start to life over fences at Navan in November.
Kempton 14:30 – King George VI Chase (Grade 1)
Distance: 3m
Winner: £142,375
Allaho has climbed to the top of our market for the King George ahead of last year’s winner Bravemansgame as Willie Mullins plots a second victory in three years in the race.
- KING GEORGE VI CHASE TRENDS AND STATS
DECEMBER 27
Leopardstown 13:10 – Paddy’s Rewards Club Chase (Grade 1)
Distance: 2m1f
Winner: €73,750
Last year’s winner Blue Lord misses the race and that should open the door for Captain Guinness to follow up a recent Naas win and land a maiden Grade 1 success. Willie Mullins won’t be short-handed though with Dinoblue, Gentleman De Mee, Appreciate It, Saint Roi and Dysart Dynamo among the early declarations.
Leopardstown 13:45 – Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle (Grade 1)
Distance: 2m
Winner: €59,000
Down Memory Lane heads Daddy Long Legs for favouritism at the moment, although the early decs indicate this is going to be a competitive heat with six or seven closely grouped in the market.
Chepstow 14:50 – Welsh Grand National (Premier Handicap)
Distance: 3m6½f
Winner: £85,425
The absence of antepost favourite Monbeg Genius from the confirmations has seen Super Survivor climb to the top of our antepost market for the Welsh Grand National, although winners of the trial at Chepstow have a good record in the big one, which makes Nassalam a dangerous prospect.
DECEMBER 28
Leopardstown 13:50 – Jack De Bromhead Christmas Hurdle (Grade 1)
Distance: 2m7½f
Winner: €88,500
Home By The Lee, last year’s winner, is marginally the favourite from the Gordon Elliott-trained Irish Point in a race that is a key stepping stone en route to the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle.
Limerick 14:05 – Guinness Faugheen Novice Chase (Grade 1)
Distance: 2m3½f
Winner: €59,000
Gaelic Warrior was mighty impressive on debut over fences and has emerged as the odds-on favourite for Limerick’s premier race of the Christmas period.
Leopardstown 14:25 – Savills Chase (Grade 1)
Distance: 3m½f
Winner: €103,250
The second key test ahead of the Cheltenham Gold Cup, we could be treated to the third round of Fastorslow vs Galopin Des Champs and it is Willie Mullins’ stable star that is fancied to finally get the better of Martin Brassil’s emerging runner. Chuck Gerri Colombe into the mix and you’ve got yourself a Christmas cracker!
DECEMBER 29
Leopardstown 13:45 – Neville Hotels Novice Chase (Grade 1)
Distance: 3m½f
Winner: €59,000
Corbett’s Cross got off the mark over fences at the second time of asking when beating Three Card Brag at Fairyhouse earlier this month and he has emerged as the antepost fav for this staying novice event.
Leopardstown 14:20 – Matheson Hurdle (Grade 1)
Distance: 2m
Winner: €88,500
It is all about one horse and one horse only, State Man is the odds-on favourite as last year’s winner prepares to retain his title and a lack of depth in the opposition should make this a penalty kick.
Read More
- Gallop over to Paddy Power News for all the latest horse racing tips
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- Horse Racing calendar: Key Jumps races and fixtures including Cheltenham Festival 2024
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