Since our regular flat racing features are disrupted by Christmas this week we will do a one off special over the jumps for the big Boxing Day meeting at Kempton Park.
Used to attend the Sunbury venue in the days of Dessert Orchid and enjoyed the variety of seeing raiders from Ireland and France tackle the top chasers from these shores, it feels like a long time since we've seen a decent French challenge? M. Douman, M. Macaire where are you ... where are your modern day counterparts?
The meeting on Friday will get underway at 12:50, a 6 race card which will include the Feltham Novices Chase and the Christmas Hurdle as well as the big race itself which is scheduled for 15:10. The declarations for which will not be finalised until Christmas itself so my update for the card will appear here after the Queen's speech and the Bond film!!
Boxing Day Selections;
12:50 - 2m Novice Hurdle
Newcomer ZIP TOP to defy the top pair of JOLLYALLAN and SEMPRE MEDICI.
13:25 - 2m 4f Handicap Chase
An open handicap event and we will aim to have KATGORY and QUITE BY CHANCE as our pair against the field.
14:00 - 3m Novices Chase (Feltham Chase)
Shame there's only the 7 declared for this as WARDEN HILL looks overpriced at 25/1 for Mick Channon and AP McCoy, you won't see the champion jockey on too many long price horses like this. I expect the odds on fav Saphir du Rheu to be my lay of the day.
14:35 - 2m Hurdle (Christmas Hurdle)
Be surprised if Faugheen is turned over here though but maybe it's McCoy again on PURPLE BAY at 16/1 the value call.
15:10 - 3m King George VI Chase
There might be a decent field here but looking through the ten declared runners I can't see anything that will definitely stay 3m at a strong pace, EXCEPT for SILVINIACO CONTI. Last years winner too good for the likes of Cue Card, Wishful Thinking and Menorah though I can see the last named being placed.
15:45 - 2m 5f Handicap Hurdle
Can't complete a meeting without a winner from the Henderson yard and his THEINVAL looks a good option in the finale, has won here before goes up in trip and priced about 8/1 looks generous. Open race as you'd expect and maybe FOXTAIL HILL is a decent price win/place option for the Twiston-Davies yard.
Have a wonderful Christmas.
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