December delights: the big races that cannot be missed this month

The number one door was opened on advent calendars on Tuesday and the racing treats come thick and fast throughout this month, with spectators returning in limited numbers to the majority of racecourses in England from Wednesday. Here we take a look at the key high-profile races in December

Betfair Tingle Creek Chase
Saturday, December 5

A Sandown spectacular won by top chasers including Desert Orchid, Flagship Uberalles, Moscow Flyer, Kauto Star and Sprinter Sacre. Paul Nicholls is the most successful trainer in the race’s 41-year history with ten victories, most recently with Politologue in 2017, who bids to strike again on Saturday after winning the Champion Chase in March.

Key contenders Ten-time top-level winner Altior returns on his first start since winning the Betfair Exchange Chase at Newbury in February and he landed this race on his reappearance two years ago. Improving six-year-olds Greaneteen and Rouge Vif are the young pretenders

John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Steeplechase
Sunday, December 6

This Grade 1 chase has proved popular with favourite backers in the past decade with the outright market leader or joint favourite winning seven of the last ten runnings. Dawn Run, Captain Christy, Florida Pearl and Kicking King are among previous famous winners of the 2m4f event.

Key contenders Min would become the most successful horse in the race’s history if landing a hat-trick on Sunday. Chacun Pour Soi, Melon and Allaho are other star entries trained by Willie Mullins, while Gordon Elliott could be represented by Samcro and Battleoverdoyen.

Saturday, December 12

A competitive handicap chase on the International Hurdle card that has been won by Frodon twice in the last four years. Other classy former winners include Fondmort, Exotic Dancer and dual King George VI Chase winner Pendil, who defied a massive weight in 1973.

Key contenders Ryanair Chase prospect Caribean Boy beat Fiddlerontheroof in a Newbury novice chase last week and heads the betting. Paddy Power Gold Cup scorer Coole Cody and the progressive Master Tommytucker are other market principals.

Marsh Hurdle
Saturday, December 19

The Grade 1 contest, registered as the Long Walk Hurdle, is the final top-level offering before Christmas and was won four times in five years by Francois Doumen’s star stayer Baracouda between 2000 and 2004. Big Buck’s and Reve De Sivola are more recent multiple winners.

Paisley Park: set to contest the Marsh Hurdle at AscotCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Key contenders The Ascot pre-Christmas highlight is an option for Ladbrokes Long Distance Hurdle one-two Thyme Hill and Paisley Park. The remarkable Main Fact could bid for a tenth win in a row if stepping up in grade and it has also been mooted as a starting point for the season for the popular Thistlecrack.

Ladbrokes King George VI Chase
Saturday December 26

For many sports fans, Boxing Day edges it over Christmas Day and this historic 3m chase at Kempton is the highlight. Kauto Star famously won this race five times, while the illustrious roll of honour also includes Arkle, Wayward Lad, Desert Orchid, One Man and Best Mate. The four-day Leopardstown Christmas festival gets under way on the same day.

Key contenders Clan Des Obeaux seeks a hat-trick and routed the field by 21 lengths last term. Cyrname was second last season but heads the betting after his Charlie Hall Chase success, with Lostintranslation third in the market after Clan Des Obeaux.

Coral Welsh Grand National
Sunday December 27

One of the greatest tests of stamina over 3m6½f at Chepstow and not just a pointer to other high-profile Nationals, with winners Synchronised and Native River going on to Gold Cup glory in the last ten years. The Christian Williams-trained Potters Corner was a historic winner for Wales last season.

Venetia Williams: trainer of leading Welsh National contender Cloudy GlenCredit: Edward Whitaker

Key contenders Easy Southern National scorer Cloudy Glen is a leading hope for Venetia Williams, while 2018 runner-up Ramses De Teillee and National Hunt Chase second Lord Du Mesnil are others with claims.

Savills Chase
Monday December 28

Day three at Leopardstown offers the Christmas Hurdle and this 3m Grade 1 Chase that promises to be a cracker. Beef Or Salmon claimed this top-level prize three times between 2002 and 2005, with Best Mate’s success sandwiched between in 2003, while winners in the last decade include Synchronised, Bobs Worth and Kemboy.

Key contenders RSA Chase winner Champ could return in this event. He is the sole British-trained entry, but there is plenty of firepower in the potential home challenge, including last year’s winner Delta Work, RSA runner-up Minella Indo and Presenting Percy.

Matheson Hurdle
Tuesday December 29

Istabraq and Hurricane Fly are among the greats to land this top-level 2m hurdle multiple times. Willie Mullins is the most successful trainer in the race with seven victories, including in the last two years with Sharjah.

Sharjah: has won the last two runnings of the Matheson HurdleCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Key contenders Champion Hurdle second favourite Saint Roi, who was narrowly beaten in the Morgiana last time out, could bid to reverse that form with Abacadabras. Sharjah, Saldier and Concertista are other entries for Mullins, while four-year-old WKD Hurdle winner Aspire Tower could take high order.

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