A key race and runner from each of the ten meetings on Boxing Day

There are ten meetings and 69 races in Britain and Ireland on December 26. Here we pick out a key race and runner from each fixture . . .

Kempton (first race 12.50)

Key race

Look no further than the festive feature that is the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase. Six leading staying chasers will battle it out for the Grade 1 event with Cyrname (3.05) and Lostintranslation vying for favouritism. Last year’s winner Clan Des Obeaux is another leading hope for the race's winningmost trainer Paul Nicholls with Footpad, Thistlecrack and Aso far from out of the reckoning. A cracker!

Key runner

Nicky Henderson has won six of the last nine runnings of the Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle and his three contenders, including last year’s shock scorer Verdana Blue, head the betting. His runner of most interest is Fusil Raffles (2.30), who may well strengthen his Champion Hurdle claims with victory.

Sedgefield (first race 11.50)

Key race

David Pipe boasts a 33 per cent (16-49) strike-rate at Sedgefield and saddles recent course scorer Induno (12.25) in the 2m4f novice hurdle. Conor O’Farrell’s mount seeks a hat-trick after bumper and novice hurdle wins, although faces stiff opposition from the Highclere-owned Evander and potential improver O’Hanrahan Bridge.

Key runner

O’Hanrahan Bridge is a leading contender for Donald McCain in the aforementioned novice hurdle but his best chance on the card may well be stable debutant Fingal D’Arthel (1.30) in the 2m1f maiden hurdle. The four-year-old was placed in bumpers, won a maiden in France and earned a nice report from the trainer in his Racing Post stable tour last month: “His French bumper form is a little lost on me but he has a nice way of going and I like him. I've not schooled him yet but his work is good and he looks like he goes on soft ground.”

Wetherby (first race 11.55)

Key race

A good-looking renewal of the feature 888Sport Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase, in which dual course-and-distance winner Top Ville Ben (2.10) bids to build on his agonising defeat in the Betfair Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle last time, heads the card at Wetherby. Last year’s hero Lake View Lad, Bennys King and Jonniesofa are other leading contenders.

Key runner

One of the most progressive runners of the bumper day is Sammy Bill (1.35), who bids to maintain his unbeaten record over fences after two recent handicap chase victories. He bids to defy an 11lb rise in the 2m3½f handicap chase and was praised by Mick Meagher, racing manger for owner Trevor Hemmings, following his latest Aintree win. He said: “Sammy Bill jumps really well and is a nice one. He was too big and keen for hurdles, but we have dropped him in over fences and he has switched off well.”

Down Royal (first race 12.00)

Key race

Former Irish Gold Cup hero Edwulf (2.45), JLT Novices’ Chase winner Black Hercules and Aintree Foxhunters’ second Burning Ambition are among the star names in the 2m6f Bluegrass Hunters Chase. Ucello Conti, Marinero and the more lightly-raced Billaway and Coastal Tiep are other notable names in an intriguing contest.

Key runner

There was plenty to like about Alighted’s (12.00) hurdling debut second at Punchestown last month and he should take all the beating in the opening 2m4f maiden hurdle. The Leopardstown bumper winner, trained by Joseph O’Brien, should be suited by the step up in trip in a race won last year by the talented but sadly subsequently ill-fated Sinoria.

Market Rasen (first race 12.05)

Key race

The annual unique test of 3m3½f around Market Rasen is the track's main event with nine runners contesting the Clugston Lincolnshire National. 2017 winner Cyclop (2.15) is of interest off a low weight, while the hat-trick seeking Very First Time and Hugo ‘N Taz, who makes his debut for David Pipe after wind surgery, may well relish the stamina-focused event.

Key runner

Two recent pulled up efforts may put punters off the chances of Bandsman (1.05) in the 2m1f handicap chase but he cannot be discounted at a track where he boasts form figures of 221116P. The Dan Skelton-trained eight-year-old is 1lb above his last winning mark – that victory coming at Market Rasen – and a return to form could be in the offing.

Leopardstown (first race 12.10)

Key race

The Racing Post Novice Chase has been won by Douvan, Min, Footpad and Le Richebourg in the past four years so it will take some topping. However, Thursday’s renewal has all the ingredients. Star mare Laurina (2.20), Drinmore scorer Fakir D’oudairies, Craddockstown winner Notebook and the promising Royal Rendezvous and Djingle ensure a stellar line-up.

Key runner

Aspire Tower (1.10) was a solid 86-rated horse on the Flat for Steve Gollings in Britain but could be a star over hurdles after making a big impression when breezing to a 13-length win on his debut for Henry de Bromhead at Punchestown last month. He bids to advertise his Triumph Hurdle claims in the Grade 2 Knight Frank Juvenile Hurdle over two miles.

Fontwell (first race 12.15)

Key race

Gary Moore has won the last two runnings of the 2m½f handicap hurdle with Knocknanuss and Sussex Ranger and saddles dual course-and-distance winner Aiguille Rouge (2.25). The unexposed five-year-old has claims in the nine-runner event but the one to beat is topweight Dostal Phil, who impressed when winning a maiden hurdle at Exeter last time.

Key runner

You could make a case for the majority of Moore’s five runners at Fontwell and Flaminger (1.50) looks likely to justify favouritism in the 2m2f handicap chase. Joshua Moore’s mount won by a wide margin at Plumpton earlier this month and a 7lb penalty should not be enough to stop him in this company as he is 5lb well in.

Wincanton (first race 12.20)

Key race

Swincombe Flame, Posh Trish and If You Say Run are on the honour roll of the Fry’s Electrical Mares’ Novice Hurdle (12.55) and there are several smart prospects in the line-up this time around. Urban Artist has impressed in two bumper wins, most recently at Listed level at Cheltenham, while Daphne Du Clos and Whitehotchillifilli have the benefit of hurdling experience and bring strong form. Kissesforkatie and Precious Eleanor are other contenders in what should prove an informative race.

Jatiluwih: could gain a sixth consecutive victory at WincantonCredit: Grossick Racing

Key runner

The Philip Hobbs-trained Jatiluwih seeks a six-timer in the 2m5½f Pertemps qualifier (1.25). Owned and ridden by David Maxwell, Jatiluwih won four novice hurdles between March and October before striking on his handicap bow at Cheltenham last month. There may yet be more to come.

Limerick (first race 12.25)

Key race

Another clash of the titans as Samcro (2.40) takes on Faugheen in the feature Matchbook Betting Exchange Novice Chase. Samcro fell two out when travelling well in the Drinmore following a chase debut success at Down Royal, while Faugheen proved age is just a number when scoring on his first start over fences at the age of 11 at Punchestown last month. A race to savour.

December 26 cards

Key runner

The Willie Mullins-trained Unexpected (12.55) blew away his rivals with a most authoritative success at Fairyhouse on his yard debut. He looked a potential star that day and faces four rivals in the 2m4f Signsplus Hurdle, including the promising Easywork and Grade 1-placed chaser Discorama, who sports blinkers for the first time.

Wolverhampton (first race 1.40)

Key race

The best dish is served last at Wolverhampton with the feature 6f Betway conditions stakes moved to the end of the card this year. Documenting (4.55) – a four-time winner and two-time runner-up from 12 all-weather starts – and Corinthia Knight, who has been successful in nine of his 27 all-weather runs, should take high order.

Key runner

Stuart Williams will be hoping consistency is rewarded as the in-form Pactolus (3.55) bids for back-to-back wins in the 1m1½f handicap. The evergreen eight-year-old finished a fine second to Victory Bond at Lingfield on his most recent start and arrives on a 2lb higher mark than when successful.

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