Forget the King George - this low-grade race at Wetherby is the real reason why I love Boxing Day racing

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Forget the King George VI Chase. There are plenty more interesting races on Boxing Day.

One of my favourites is the William Hill Racing Bet Builder Novices' Handicap Chase, a 0-100 race over nearly two and a half miles at Wetherby (12.27), which has drawn its usual assembly of intriguing contenders.

There is nothing more compelling than sifting through the runners in advance, knowing that some of them have probably been aimed at this for months.

• Get ready to gorge on a festive feast crowned by the King George, Welsh Grand National and Savills Chase 

Everybody knows Gaelic Warrior and Fact To File are good horses. But nobody really knows about Wannabe, Orange Diamond or Ivar The Boneless and that is the way to get one over the bookmakers, who have probably given these races ten minutes' thought when they first put up prices.

These are the main contenders. I can’t wait for declarations on Tuesday.

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Racing Post+ subscribers will be able to read 12 Plays Of Christmas, in which our tipsters provide their best bets for the festive period, online on Tuesday afternoon and in Wednesday's newspaper.

12.27 Wetherby: the main contenders

Powerofjet Has a '1' against his name so will be popular and has clearly improved for a switch to fences but that was a poor race over 2m½f, he has been put up 7lb and he has yet to prove himself as good at 2m4f.

Who will emulate last year's winner Empty Nest and land the fascinating novice handicap chase at Wetherby?Credit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Wannabe Fascinating. Cost €72,000 unraced as a three-year-old which suggests he looks a jumper and one Racing Post analysis calls him big. Modest form in three hurdles, although ran to a Racing Post Rating of 103 in the second (which has worked out well) and was never in the race last time. Switched straight to fences by the canny Tom Lacey and runs off a mark of just 96.

Orange Diamond Very interesting. Has improved over hurdles for joining Tom Ellis and won three times, most recently off 95. Pulled up in four chases for his previous trainer but held every chance when falling two out in his fifth. Runs off 95 – 5lb lower than his hurdles mark – now reverting to fences.

Tom Ellis (right): trainer of the in-form Orange Diamond

Celestial Fashion Second in this race last year on her second chase run. Having only her second run since when winning at Carlisle in November and will be a short price here, but is up 7lb and that has turned out not to have been a strong race.

Bo Cruz Second in a point-to-point, which suggests an aptitude for fences. Modest form over hurdles then headed only on the run-in on chasing debut at Sedgefield. Dropped 2lb for that run.

Couldbeaweapon Placed three times since wins at Sedgefield and Southwell, looks to have found his level and vulnerable to a better-treated improver.

Athair Mor Flat bred. Started with Jonjo O’Neill. Didn’t run for him but did have a wind operation there. Modest form in four hurdles for James Ewart, but has improved with each of three chase runs for Paul Robson. Led from three out until the final half furlong here last time. Now 3lb higher.

Dan Skelton: could run a chase debutantCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Thickthorn Tom Trained by Dan Skelton and must be one of the lowest rated horses in his yard. Seventh of ten on his debut in a bumper that has produced six subsequent winners. Beaten at least 23 lengths in all four hurdles, including a novice handicap. Now makes his chasing debut.

Alltalknoaction Placed in two points. Modest form over hurdles then fourth in a Newcastle novice handicap chase that has worked out well and every chance when fell two out at Market Rasen. Tim Easterby does not have as many jumpers now but he had a one-two in this equivalent race in 2022.

Florita Another who was placed in points. Modest form over hurdles but showed considerable improvement on her chasing debut at Market Rasen, coming from behind to win going away. Put up 9lb for that.

Ivar The Boneless Fascinating. Started with Guillaume Macaire and then Gavin Cromwell. Moved to an Irish trainer who has had just two jumps winners from 221 runners in the last five seasons and showed modest form. But now runs for Susan Corbett, an unheralded but very shrewd and effective trainer who is operating at her best strike-rate this season.

Mr Mahler Has started at shortish odds in all his chases but been beaten each time, usually well held. Yet being trained by Joel Parkinson and Sue Smith means he’ll probably be popular again and will help make the market.

Read more . . .

‘In the last ten days he’s been different again’ - confidence rises in Il Est Francais as Harry Cobden takes over for King George 

Get ready to gorge on a festive feast crowned by the King George, Welsh Grand National and Savills Chase 

Who is number one in our five most dramatic King George triumphs this century? 

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