Ed Chamberlin challenges Graeme Rodway in our Boxing Day tipping competition

Punter v the Pro, our new tipping competition in which Racing Post readers go head-to-head with top tipster Graeme Rodway.

The ITV Christmas Racing Festival kicks off in spectacular style today as the King George VI Chase headlines a festive feast of action, and who better to take on G-Rod than ITV's lead presenter Ed Chamberlin!

The format is simple: the punter and the pro give six selections in ITV races decided by us and whoever comes out on top based on level-stakes profit to SP is the winner. The prize? Sheer pride!

The results will be shared in the next day's , our free daily newsletter.

The punter . . .

Name: Ed Chamberlin

Occupation: Moderate TV presenter and hopeless tipster

Flat or jumps? Used to be jumps. Now confused and undecided

Favourite horse: Dublin Flyer

Favourite course: Wincanton

Biggest win: Shahtoush in the 1998 Oaks in my days as an odds compiler

Unluckiest loser: So many. Most recently Folly Gate at Taunton last Wednesday!

. . . and the pro

Graeme Rodway is one of the longest-serving members of the Racing Post's tipping and analysis team.

A two-time top-three finisher in the Flat version of the national naps competition under the pseudonym 'The Edge', G-Rod has a proven record of tipping success over a period of more than ten years and now specialises in hurdles races over jumps and staying races on the Flat.

The picks

12.45 Kempton

Ed Chamberlin: Miranda

A decent mare getting 7lb can be deadly.

Graeme Rodway:Goshen

I don't fancy Champ, Paisley Park or Miranda and make this between Goshen and Not So Sleepy. Initially I thought Not So Sleepy may be the bet, but after looking more closely at the race Goshen might just be the classier of the pair.

1.20 Kempton

Ed:Galia Des Liteaux

She looked a smart prospect on chasing debut and this is not a vintage Kauto Star.

Graeme:Galia Des Liteaux

Was thought to be in need of the run when easily landing a Listed event at Bangor on her chasing debut and should be hard to beat with that impressive reappearance win under her belt.

1.35 Wetherby

Ed:Sounds Russian

Another good run in the Many Clouds. Easier task here.

Graeme:Sounds Russian

Fourth behind three Grade 1-class chasers in a strong race at Aintree last time, when recording a second consecutive career-best effort, and has the ability to defy a big weight.

2.10 Wetherby

Ed:Oscar Thyne

Best when fresh and has had a nice break since encouraging start for new yard.

Graeme:Foster'sisland

Disappointed at Aintree last time, but had previously been improving and he recorded a good Topspeed figure when second at this course last month. The return to this track should help and he can resume his progress.

2.30 Kempton

Ed:L'Homme Presse

He’s the best horse in the race, a fluent jumper and conditions have come in his favour.

Graeme:Ahoy Senor

Back to form when recording a career-best Racing Post Rating in third behind top-class pair Noble Yeats and Dashel Drasher at Aintree last time. A reproduction of that effort might be good enough.

3.05 Kempton

Ed:Solo

Bumped into a good one at Ascot and should be able to dominate this field.

Graeme:Solo

Has lots of experience for a novice and there was no disgrace in his second to the progressive Thunder Rock at Ascot last time. He can return to winning ways.

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Introducing the ITV Racing Christmas Festival

The ITV Racing Christmas Festival features 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 shown in all, including eight Grade 1s such as the King George VI Chase, with the Welsh Grand National and Cheltenham's New Year's Day card among the big-race highlights across a spectacular six days of racing on terrestrial television across the festive period.

December 26
Kempton: King George VI Chase day
Wetherby: Rowland Meyrick Chase day

December 27
Chepstow: Welsh Grand National day
Kempton: Desert Orchid Chase day

December 28
Leopardstown: Savills Chase day
Leicester

December 29
Leopardstown: Matheson Hurdle day
Doncaster

December 31
Newbury, Warwick and Lingfield

January 1
Cheltenham, Musselburgh and Tramore

Big-race previews:

12.45 Kempton: Champ v Paisley Park again: who comes out on top in a match of familiar foes?

1.10 Leopardstown: Triumph favourite Lossiemouth set for true test - but Paul Townend is unsure

1.20 Kempton: Nicholls pair McFabulous and Gelino Bello clash - but does Skelton hold the ace?

1.35 Wetherby: 'We hope he's still a Gold Cup horse' - Rowland Meyrick insight and key quotes

1.55 Kempton: Henderson on Constitution Hill: 'I'm buzzed up - but also desperately nervous'

2.20 Leopardstown: 'This has been the plan' - can classy Fil Dor bolster Arkle claims for Elliott?

2.30 Kempton: 'We haven't seen the best of him yet' - key trainer quotes for the King George

2.40 Limerick: 'He's done everything right' - Elliott and Mullins duel in Faugheen Novice Chase

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