Undefeated Superstar Constitution Hill will face four rivals in the Grade 1 Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle (1.55) in Kempton on Boxing Day.
The Nicky Henderson-trained five-year-old extended his record to four wins from four starts as he blew through the field at last month’s Fighting Fifth at Newcastle, a run that earned him a third straight Grade 1 win.
Constitution Hill finished 12 lengths ahead of its stable mate Amazing that day and the eight-year-old mare, who won this race last year, will once again try her luck.
The training of Alan King Royal Seal also holds an entry and landed a Listed contest over course and distance during its seasonal reappearance in October.
1st year winner Job and trained them by Chris Gordon Highway one or two complete the field with five.
Christmas hurdlers and runners
Constitution Hill Nico de Boinville
Amazing Aidan Coleman
Highway one or two Jamie Moore
Job jonathan burque
Royal Seal Sam Twiston Davies
Champ and Paisley Park will meet at Long Walk
champion and Paisley Park are on track for their rematch in the Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle (12:45 p.m.), with a group of five players ready to try their luck.
Winner of the Coral Hurdle Gochen, Miranda and not so sleepy are all confirmed runners in the 3m½f contest, which has been rearranged after the original race at Ascot on December 17 was postponed due to frozen ground.
It will be the first time Champ and Paisley Park have met since their memorable clash in the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury last month, a race in which the former won.
Champ, trained by Nicky Henderson, won this race last year, while Paisley Park, owned by Andrew Gemmell, claimed success in 2018 and 2020.
Miranda, trained by Paul Nicholls, holds top titles after landing a Listed run by 11 lengths over course and distance last month.
Goshen was back to winning ways in the Coral Hurdle, finishing eight and a half lengths clear of Brewin’upastorm, after a disappointing chase debut in October.
Not So Sleepy, trained by Hughie Morrison, completes the roster and the ten-year-old makes his first start since finishing third at Constitution Hill in Fighting Fifth Newcastle.
Long Walk Hurdle runners and riders
champion Jonjo O’Neill Jr.
Gochen Jamie Moore
not so sleepy jonathan burque
Paisley Park Aidan Coleman
Miranda Harry Cobden
Five remain in contention for Kauto Star
McFabulous and Thyme Hill are among a field of five for the Grade 1 Ladbrokes Kauto Star Novices’ Chase (1.20) in Kempton on Boxing Day.
The duo faced off in the Grade 2 John Francome Chase at Newbury last month, where McFabulous, trained by Nicholls, prevailed by six and a half lengths.
The champion trainer will also be represented by the winning 1st year hurdler Gelino Bello, who has won his last four starts. His last outing was a 29-length win over City Chief in a match race at Exeter earlier this month.
Dan Skelton, who is vying for this year’s Coaches Championship, entered Galia Des Liteaux. The six-year-old picked up a Listed run at Bangor on his seasonal reappearance last month.
Mortlachwho finished behind McFabulous and Thyme Hill at Newbury, completes the field of five.
Kauto Star Chase Runners and Racers
Gelino Bello Bryone Frost
McFabulous Harry Cobden
Mortlach Paddy Brenan
Thyme Hill Tom O’Brien
Galia of the Liteaux Harry Skelton
Fil Dor faces off against four in a hunt for high-level novices
Fil Dor will face off against four rivals as he looks for his first top-level success in the Brand New Racing Post App Novice Chase (2.20) on the opening day of the Leopardstown Christmas meeting.
The Gordon Elliott-trained four-year-old made a perfect start to life on the fences when he won at Navan last month and is launched to the top level on his next start, where he will be ridden by Jack Kennedy.
Elliott also trains other top Hollow Games, which will be ridden by Denis O’Regan, while Saint Roi, Midnight Run and Visionarian make up the peloton for 2m1f Grade 1.
Also on the Leopardstown card, Triumph Hurdle favorite Lossiemouth will face ten rivals in the Grade 2 Knight Frank Juvenile Hurdle (1.10), including other Triumph Nusret and Cougar fantasies.
Gerri Colombe and Kilcruit set for fascinating clash with Faugheen
The highly regarded Gerri Colombe will put his unbeaten record on the line in a high profile duel against Kilcruit in the Guinness Faugheen Novice Chase (2.40) in Limerick.
The six-year-old made his debut on the fences when he won easily at Fairyhouse last month and offered to give Gordon Elliott a third victory in the race, while bolstering his Cheltenham Festival claims.
It won’t be an easy task though, with proven first-year performer Kilcruit also making a winning start on the fences at Punchestown last month.
His trainer Willie Mullins will also be represented by Authorized Art and Adamantly Chosen, while ranked underdog Aarons Day completes the group of five.
Introducing the ITV Racing Christmas Festival
The ITV Racing Christmas Festival offers six days of top-class action on the channel from 12 different tracks in Britain and Ireland between December 26 and January 1.
Some 41 live races will be broadcast in all, including eight Grade 1s such as the King George VI Chase, with the Welsh Grand National and Cheltenham New Year’s Card among the highlights of the big race over six spectacular days of racing at terrestrial television over the holiday season.
December 26
Kempton: King George VI Hunt Day
Wetherby: Day Rowland Meyrick Chase
December 27
Chepstow: Welsh Grand National Day
Kempton: Desert Orchid Hunting Day
December 28
Leopardstown: Savills Hunting Day
Leicester
December 29
Leopardstown: Matheson Hurdle Day
Doncaster
the 31st of December
Newbury, Warwick and Lingfield
January 1st
Cheltenham, Musselburgh and Tramore
2022 ITV Racing Christmas Festival deals
- power of rice offer free bets to new and existing customers, and all you need is an account. Register here.
- Heaven bet offer new customers free bets when they sign up. You can get them, plus special cashback offers and extra seats, here.
- betting fair have lots of offers, extra seats and money back offers. Sign up for a new account here.
- To get a free bet of Ladbrokes today, simply create a new account here.
- Don’t have coral Account? They have an offer for new customers here.
- bet365 have a new customer offer available. Register here.
- New William Hill customers can claim free bets here and benefit from their cashback offers here.
- If you are a new customer, tote will give you a free bet. Register here to claim.
Then read them:
Confirmed runners and runners for the King George VI Chase 2022 – plus a free bet
2022 King George: Who wins the big race at Kempton according to previous trends?
Who’s ready for King George glory? Key Player Rating of a Kempton Cracker
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FIRST PUBLICATION AT 10:23 AM, DECEMBER 23, 2022