Banker or blowout? Find out which hot favourites could be vulnerable

Racing fans are in for a treat with Boxing Day – or St Stephen's Day – providing the usual top-class action. With five Grade 1s, some tricky handicaps and potential stars on show alongside one of Britain's and Ireland's busiest betting days of the year, plenty of hotpots will be in the mix too.

However, it's nearly certain not all will go in and to see if it will be post-Christmas punting joy or the bookmakers' Boxing Day, we have ranked the hot favourites in order of shaky to certainties.

Ferny Hollow
2.20 Leopardstown, Racing Post Novice Chase
(4-5 generally)

Pros: Highly talented individual and the only Grade 1 winner in the field, having beaten the likes of Appreciate It and Third Time Lucki in the 2020 Champion Bumper, before holding off Bob Olinger impressively on his sole hurdles start last year. Made a pleasing fences debut from a lay-off at Punchestown and won well.

Cons: Lightly raced and known to have had injury troubles after being off for 380 days, so could be prone to the "bounce factor". Although he went away to win on chase debut, he looked inexperienced and scrappy over some of his obstacles and also must give 13lb to his nearest rival.

Verdict: Although he obviously could still have an abundance of talent and could be the star on the card, there are plenty of odds stacked against Ferny Hollow, including giving away lumps of weight, and is one of the least experienced over fences in the field. Riviere D'Etel receives the weight allowance and on her unbeaten start over fences – twice winning easily in Graded company – is the clear main danger.

2.40 Limerick, Boylesports Faugheen Novice Chase
(5-2 generally)

Pros: A rapid improver since switching to fences and looked a Graded performer in waiting with a stylish success on his second chase start from some classy performers. Would have won the Grade 1 Drinmore Novice Chase had he not made consistent errors but flew home to finish runner-up that day.

Cons: Jumping could prove to be a major flaw. He looked to have the race in the bag at Fairyhouse before an error at the second-last and another jumping display like that would leave him well short of top level. He also has only one chase win despite his improvement.

Verdict: A more open running of this Grade 1 than in recent years, it feels as if there may not be a star unearthed in this one. Limerick can be a strong jumping test – as odds-on favourite Asterion Forlonge found last year – and Gabynako's sloppiness could be his downfall. Farouk D'Alene was foot-perfect on his chasing bow and is deeply unexposed, while the class edge in the race is Albert Bartlett winner Vanillier.

Bravemansgame: could lose his unbeaten record over fencesCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

1.55 Kempton, Ladbrokes Kauto Star Novices' Chase
(4-5 generally)

Pros: Top-class novice hurdler who was always destined to thrive over fences. Hailed is the Denman-in-waiting by his trainer Paul Nicholls and has beaten classy open-company opposition in two chase starts so far in brutal fashion, failing to make the slightest mistake in his two starts.

Cons: His jumping is impeccable, but his form slightly tailed off towards the end of last season and was found slightly wanting in the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle. He also finished a tired second on his only try at three miles behind the reopposing Ahoy Senor, who looks a more thorough stayer at this stage.

Verdict: There is no denying the regard in which his trainer holds him – even branding him a horse for next year's King George – and Bravemansgame's class has been evident since switching to fences, which is definitely his game. A lesser test of stamina at three miles could play to his strengths, but he could be galloped into submission by Ahoy Senor, who battered and bruised him at Aintree last April.

Epatante: can she justify short odds and show her best again?Credit: Edward Whitaker

2.30 Kempton, Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle
(10-11 generally)

Pros: Remains top class on her day and showed that when tenaciously battling out a dead-heat with Not So Sleepy after major back surgery in the summer on her return in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle. Clearly not right last year, she romped to victory in this in 2019 and remains well clear of her rivals on Racing Post Ratings.

Cons: Although problems were diagnosed, last year's well-beaten effort is hard to forget and she failed to improve on that in two subsequent starts. Her Fighting Fifth tie was well below her best on overall ratings, so more improvement is needed.

Verdict: It looks as though she may be a shadow of her former self who dazzled the division in the 2019/20 season – her connections have already admitted defeat to Honeysuckle this season – but she will probably not get a better opportunity to win another Grade 1. Not So Sleepy is inconsistent and four-year-olds like Tritonic have tended to struggle at elite level this term, which leaves more questions about Epatante's rivals than herself.

1.10 Leopardstown, Knight Frank Juvenile Hurdle
(8-13 generally)

Pros: Became a leading candidate for the Triumph Hurdle after an imperious 16-length win on his Irish debut at Down Royal in October, then took the step up in grade in his stride when comfortably ahead at Fairyhouse last month. Already has the measure of his chief rival and has looked fluent in jumping in the main so far.

Cons: Took a while to get going when winning his Grade 3 last month and could be vulnerable to one who may have more speed. His trainer Gordon Elliott also saddles a similarly unbeaten runner and they could be closer on ratings than first thought.

Verdict: This looks the perfect opportunity for Fil Dor to continue his rise up the ranks. Although he has to give weight all round, his jumping and performances so far suggest he could be a class above and his nearest rival in the betting, Lunar Power, was comprehensively held by him by one and a quarter lengths, which suggests he should confirm the form.

Read this next:

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Christmas tips: 'Odds of 20-1 look generous' - why this horse can win

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