Here we are towards the end of the year, our flat year here is done and we now enjoy the big NH Boxing Day meeting at Kempton Park with the feature event the King George Chase.
Will Cue Card be able to win another big race this year having appeared to fail to stay behind Silviniaco Conti in last years renewal, does seem to be a different animal this year though.
It's a 6 race card on Saturday, plenty of quality events leading up to the King George VI itself at 3:10pm.
Here are our thoughts and selections for the rest of the card;
12:50 William Hill On Your Mobile Novices' Hurdle
(4yo+, Class 2, 2m)
We kick off the Boxing day meeting with a decent novice hurdle, it will interesting to see how Willie Mullins runners are backed here and his representative OPEN EAGLE should be popular.
I go with the existing proven form of ALTIOR [WON 11/8] for Nicky Henderson but would expect another close finish with plenty of dangers from the likes of Meet The Legend and Simon Squirrel.
13:25 William Hill Winter Festival Novices' Limited Handicap Chase (4yo+, Class 3, 2m 4f 110y)
A very open contest, the Moore team had been in great form recently so money for ANTONY would be interesting, as would support for the Twiston-Davies runner WEST WIZARD on his chase debut having won here over hurdles last time.
I'll pass on both of them though and favour a couple of bigger priced contenders, BUCKHORN TIMOTHY / HOW ABOUT IT and with prices about 12/1 the pair we'll have them against the field. Fell and Pulled Up.
14:00 Kauto Star Novices' Chase (In Memory Of Nigel Clark) -- Formerly The Feltham Novices' Chase
(Grade 1) (4yo+, Class 1, 3m)
Just the 7 declared for the Grade 1 Feltham Novices Chase, and you won't often see Paul Nicholls and Willie Mullins having the outsiders in the field.
But they do here on the forecast prices, with AS DE MEE for Nicholls and NET D'ECOSSE for Mullins both about 14/1 or more, at those prices in an open renewal of this event looks worth being on their side against the field. Fell and 5th
I doubt we'll see a Gold Cup horse as we did last season (Coneygree took this on route to Cheltenham success) but we should still have a good contest as usual.
14:35 Williamhill.com Christmas Hurdle
(Grade 1) (4yo+, Class 1, 2m)
Only the 5 declared for the major supporting race on King George Day, and Irish raider and current Champion Hurdler FAUGHEEN is the long odds on fav.
Should be able to win this again, had THE NEW ONE way back when winning at Cheltenham and although that is likely to run well here will probably not be quite good enough. OLD GUARD might be best of the rest but is stepping up in grade again from G2 class and both HARGEM and SIGN OF A VICTORY don't look good enough unless the jolly falls.
A race to watch and enjoy more than be involved.
15:10 William Hill King George VI Chase
(Grade 1) (4yo+, Class 1, 3m)
The feature race now and a strong field as you would expect with most in with a shout of the crown. Last years victor SILVINIACO CONTI looks a big price considering he's a twice winner of the race, but comes into this on the back of a couple of beatings the latest being a 7L defeat by CUE CARD.
CUE CARD is in much better form this season and could go better than he has in the past, but preference has to be for the Irish raiders. VAUTOUR looks a high class chaser and the only question is whether he stays the trip at the likely strong gallop we expect.
So it's DON COSSACK we pick with his trainer very keen and believes he has a Gold Cup horse on his hands.
15:45 William Hill World Darts Championship Handicap Hurdle (3yo+, Class 3, 2m 5f)
Our finale for this year is a handicap hurdle, has 16 declared and I guarantee at least one will drop out to spoil the 4 places here.
I have a lucky pin and in the last it's picked me out two 25/1 shots so I might as well have the forecast which will help to pay for Xmas I guess.
It's found me DUBH EILE and CHURCH FIELD lurking at the bottom of the weights.
Results should be available during the early evening I will be out watching Wimbledon play host to Bristol Rovers
Enjoy your Boxing Day and all the best for the end of the year for those of you disappointed that we didn't have a White Christmas here's what it would have looked like.
We'll be back with a new season in January.
