ITV Racing Tips for Boxing Day 2024 at Kempton, Aintree and Wetherby

12:45 Kempton

The first race from Kempton is a novice handicap chase over the extended 2m4f trip.

It’s RANGE (4/1) for me here for the Sam Thomas yard. A late faller when well fancied on seasonal return at Chepstow, I think he would have won if he stayed on his feet. However, he put the wrongs right with a victory on his next start back at Chepstow winning by a comfortable 6 lengths. Up 5lb demands more but I think he’s upto it. 

 

1:05 Aintree

We head up North for one Grade 1 race from Aintree, the Formby Novices Hurdle over the 2 mile trip. 

The horse I like here is COUNTRY MILE (11/2).  A winner on hurdles debut at Ayr, he followed that up with a 3 length second behind the re-opposing Roadlesstravelled at Haydock. That was on soft ground and he then went to Cheltenham and absolutely bolted up by over 7 lengths. Wingmen was second there and he is a solid yardstick. That was also on quicker ground and he’ll get quick ground here. I think he can continue on his upward curve and go in again.

 

1:20 Kempton

It’s back to Kempton for the Grade 1 Kauto Star Novices Chase over 3 miles.

I think THE JUKEBOX MAN (Evens) NB is a fine horse and he can prove that again here. He has proven Grade 1 hurdle form and his rivals are handicappers. He made a winning chase debut with a bold display of jumping at Newbury fending off the re-opposing Massacio by over 2 lengths. This 3m trip will suit more and with that run under his belt, he can kick on again. Tough to beat.

 

1:35 Wetherby

The 1:35 from Wetherby is the Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase over 3m.

I believe SOME SCOPE (7/2) NAP is handicapped to win and today could well be the day. He had a productive campaign last season winning twice and finishing 4th in a competitive handicap at Cheltenham on his final start. He was rusty on seasonal reappearance and returned to a decent level of form when 4th in the competitive Rehearsal Chase last time out. He’s off a very low weight and Callum Prichard claims a further 7lb off him. He’s only six and he can improve again this season. With two runs under his belt for the season, I’m expecting that improvement to be seen here.

 

1:55 Kempton 

The 1:55 is a fascinating renewal of the Grade 1 Christmas Hurdle over 2m.

It is LOSSIEMOUTH (10/11) for me here. She’s a superstar filly with no negatives. She has nothing to prove and looked as good as ever when beating Teahupoo in the Hattons Grace last time out. She gets 7lb off Constitution Hill and has race fitness on her side. She’s the one I’d side with in the intriguing contest. 

 

2:30 Kempton

The feature is the Grade 1 King George VI Chase over 3m.

I like GREY DAWNING (5/1) in this for the Skeltons. A cracking novice chaser last season which resulted in a fine Grade a victory at the Cheltenham Festival in the Turners Novices Chase. You can excuse his showing at Aintree as he just looked ready for a break there. He returned to action this season in the Grade 1 Betfair Chase running an absolute belter pulling clear with course specialist Royal Pagaille to be just touched off. He improved for this seasonal reappearance last season and I expect it’ll be the same again here. Kempton will suit this strong traveller and he’ll get a lovely toe into this. I have no doubts on the stamina front and he’ll enjoy the quick surface more than the mud he had to plow through at Haydock. Connections are confident he’s come out of that race well and I’m happy to put my faith in the Skelton’s as they are masters at readying one for the big day.

 

Get a Free Bet for ITV Racing on Boxing Day

Betfred – Sign-up > Bet £10 Boxing Day > get £50 in free bets

1 Click this link straight to the Betfred Boxing Day sign-up offer

2 Click ‘Claim Here’ and use promo code BETFRED50

3 Place a £10 bet on any Boxing Day sport

4 You get £50 in free bets

 

bet365 – Sign-up > Bet £10 on Boxing Day > get £50 in Free Bets

1 Tap this link straight to the bet365 welcome offer

2 Open an account

3 Place a £10 bet on Boxing Day

4 Get £50 in free bets

 

CopyBet – Sign-up > Bet £10 on Boxing Day > get £50 in Free Bets

1 Join CopyBet by clicking this link

2 Deposit and bet £10 on Boxing Day

3 Get 5 free £10 bets added to your account

 

Coral – Sign-up > Bet £5 > get a £20 Free Bet Straight Away

1 Click this link straight to the Coral welcome bonus

2 Fill in the sign-up form

3 Deposit and bet £5 or more on a Boxing Day bet

4 You will get a £20 free bet added to your account straight away

 

Ladbrokes – bet £5 on Boxnig Day > get 4x free £5 bets

Join Ladbrokes and place a £5 bet on any of the Boxing Day football – you instantly get four free £5 bets credted to your account.

e.g. sign-up and bet £5 on a Boxing Day accumulator bet > You will get four free £5 bets

JOIN LADBROKES GET £20

 

Relevant news