Christmas, best known for wise men and overindulgence in quality food, is also famed for quality racing. This year promises to be no different as the extensive racing calendar provides an abundance of quality racing in which shrewd judges and eager eyes scout out early clues for the
Cheltenham Festival.
Kempton, Newbury, and Chepstow provide the main action in the UK, whilst Leopardstown does its fair share to add discussion points from its four-day
Christmas Racing Festival.
The Christmas period is a watershed on the racing calendar. With a large selection of high-quality graded racing, the period serves as a time when the early-season pretenders are asked to cement their impression against the more established rank. The pretenders line up, the regulars stand their ground, and the challengers are plenty. With the majority of the racing covered on terrestrial television, one could do worse than kick his heels up and soak up the quality action.
King of Kings
The centrepiece of the Christmas racing festivals has always been the
King George VI Grade 1 chase at Kempton Park. In the past, we have been treated to some outstanding performances in this race from
Gold Cup heroes Kauto Star, Best Mate, and Kicking King. Again we can look forward to a classic renewal, with defending
Gold Cup Champion and last year's winner Kauto Star looking set to defend his crown against the in-form Monets Garden, the much improved Exotic Dancer, and the very classy My Way De Solzen.
The
King George will shape many people's impressions for the season to follow. Monets Garden claimed Kauto Star's scalp on their seasonal debut in Aintree's
Old Roan Chase. The current
Gold Cup champion will be keen to exact revenge and reaffirm his position as one of the best chasers of the modern era.
The
Cheltenham Gold Cup is a slog, and while the classier and speedier hopefuls will be found in Kempton, the more traditional staying types will be in Leopardstown for the
Lexus Chase. Last year's outstanding novice, Denman, looks certain to line up, as his trainer Paul Nicholls will be keen to keep him apart from his stablemate Kauto Star. Denman will be joined by last year's victor, The Listener, along with Leopardstown specialist Beef or Salmon, and the infrequently seen In Compliance.
Despite the high standard of racing, the Christmas period doubles as a trial for the
Cheltenham Festival. Kempton and Leopardstown host the
Christmas Hurdle and
December Festival Hurdle, respectively. Both are Grade 1 hurdles over two miles, and the main protagonists from these events will again be the main contenders in the March showpiece of the
Champion Hurdle.
Sublime, Not Ridiculous
Current champion, Sublimity, and those that finished behind him - Afsoun, Staw Bear, and Detroit City - will again be in action. This time around, they will be joined by last year's outstanding juvenile Katchit and midsummer handicap revelation Farmer Brown. Sublimity failed to convince all in the gallery last season, and in many people's eyes, the mantle of leading two-mile hurdler is still up for grabs. We can expect a clearer picture in the aftermath of these races.
The
Champion Chase contenders will ply their trade in the
Desert Orchid Chase and the
PaddyPower Dial-A-Bet Chase. Current champion Voy Por Ustedes looks set to lock horns with the exceptionally talented Well Chief at Kempton, while soft-ground specialist Nickname should continue to carry all before him in the Leopardstown renewal. I fail to see anything amongst last year's two-mile novice chasers that will cause concern for these principals over the minimum trip.
Two key handicap chases take place on either side of the Irish Sea. Chepstow hosts the
Coral Welsh National while Leopardstown hosts the
Paddy Power Chase. Halcon Generaldais will be out to repeat his victory in last year's
Welsh National, having been specially laid out again this year with a prep race over hurdles. Paul Nicholls has an outstanding record in this race, and his representatives in this renewal need to be watched closely. According To John, who was placed at last year's
Cheltenham Festival, would look like an ideal candidate for this race should he make the lineup.
The
Paddy Power Chase is Ireland's richest handicap chase, and it has consistently been a highly competitive affair. Tom Taffes Merdeka remains a promising type even if it would appear that he has lost his way somewhat. He may be the one best followed when the day arrives.
The Christmas racing programme offers up a splendid selection of novice races. These are the must-watch TV for the racing aficionados as they spy out clues for the future. The
Feltham Novices Chase at on the Kempton undercard is always one of the most exciting contests over the festive period. It is advisable to pay heed to the main protagonists in this race and note them for future engagements.
While Kempton has the Feltham, the Irish equivalent is the
Powers Whiskey Novice Chase. The penny finally seems to have dropped for former
Cheltenham Festival winner Sky's The Limit, and this race can be expected to be his target. He seems to have gotten his jumping together, and now that he is revitalised, he will prove difficult to beat in this year's renewal. The
Durkan New Homes Novice Chase will also offer up some telling clues for the Arkle at Cheltenham. Kicking King and Nickname have featured prominently in this race in the past, and again this year we can expect the race to show us the cream of the Irish novice chasing group.
The English programme at this time of year lacks a staying hurdle. It is expected that Jonjo O'Neill will send one of his last two winners of the
Brit Insurance Novice Hurdle, Black Jack Ketchum or Wichita Lineman, across the water to take on Rosaker and Sweet Kiln, who will be providing the sternest Irish challenge in the
Woodies DIY Hurdle.
All in all, an exciting time of racing is anticipated. Whether you're wrapped up by the fire or wrapped around a hot whiskey at the course, be sure to watch the action closely, as many pointers for the proceeding months are sure to be found.
King George Spotlight
First run in 1937 and named in honour of famed monarch King George VI, the Kempton Christmas centrepiece is run over three miles annually on Boxing Day. With the exception of the
Cheltenham Gold Cup, this race is arguably the highlight of the steeple chasing calendar. It provides the traditional clash of the leading staying chasers with the principals, barring injury, certain to be seen again in Cheltenham in March.
The roll of honour in recent years reads like a list of chasing greats, and some of the most recognisable names appear on the list. Desert Orchid famously made the race his own by winning four times. Wayward Lad, The Fellow, One Man, See More Business, and Kicking King rank amongst the dual winners of the race, whilst other winners include Kauto Star, Best Mate, Florida Pearl, First Gold, and Barton Bank.
