Festive racing guide: what's on this Christmas and where can I watch it?
There is no finer time to be a sport fanatic in Britain and Ireland than Christmas with a plethora of world-class events to keep you thoroughly entertained during the holidays, including Premier League football and the Ashes.
Just as big a part of the festive fabric is racing's traditional action-packed schedule with top-class races and horses everywhere you look between December 26 and New Year's Day.
With so much to keep tabs on it would be easy to lose track, so check out our handy guide below to the key meetings, races and horses set to keep the celebrations going long past Christmas Day.
Sunday, December 26
Kempton
Best races
The Boxing Day extravaganza kicks off with three Grade 1 races, headlined by what is set to be one of the most competitive and star-studded King George VI Chase's () in several years.
In terms of jumps racing prestige, the King George is second only to the Cheltenham Gold Cup and has been won on multiple occasions by legends of the sport such as Desert Orchid and Kauto Star.
If that is the main feast, the aperitifs are not bad either with the Christmas Hurdle () and Kauto Star Novices' Chase () on the undercard.
Top horses
Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Minella Indo is set to travel to Kempton attempting to become the first Irish-trained King George winner since Kicking King in 2005.
Britain's champion trainer Paul Nicholls – who has won the Christmas showpiece a record 12 times – fields two-time winner Clan Des Obeaux and the defending champion Frodon in opposition.
The enigmatic Asterion Forlonge, Marsh Novices' Chase winner Chantry House and a reignited Lostintranslation help form a superb card.
JP McManus's former Champion Hurdle winner Epatante looks primed for an attempt to win the Christmas Hurdle for a second time after being shocked by Silver Streak last year when odds-on favourite, while top-class novices Bravemansgame and Ahoy Senor could clash in the Kauto Star.
Leopardstown
Best races
It's the opening card of Leopardstown's four-day Christmas festival and the Grade 1 Racing Post Novice Chase (2.20) takes centre stage. Won by the likes of Klairon Davis, Danoli, Moscow Flyer, Sizing Europe, Douvan and Min, this 2m1f event can often provide a pointer to the Arkle and is bound to unearth another quality winner.
A pair of maiden hurdles and the concluding bumper could also produce some talented operators for the rest of the campaign, but the Grade 2 Knight Frank Juvenile Hurdle (1.10) is the other focal point of the card.
Apple's Jade, Espoir D'Allen, Aspire Tower and Zanahiyr feature on the roll of honour for the Triumph Hurdle pointer over the last six years.
Top horses
As is the case with all the Christmas action at this stage, we're still awaiting the final fields for this meeting but top talent Ferny Hollow features at the head of the market for the Racing Post Novice Chase.
He should be tested by unbeaten chaser Riviere D’Etel, with the four-year-old filly receiving 13lb in age and sex allowances from Cheveley Park's leading Arkle contender.
Elliott could call on exciting Fairyhouse scorer Fil Dor for the Knight Frank Juvenile Hurdle, already favourite for the Triumph Hurdle, while last season's Champion Bumper 1-2 Sir Gerhard and Kilcruit hold entries for the two-mile Thorntons Recycling Maiden Hurdle (12.35) earlier on the card.
Limerick
Best races
A clear standout of the entire four-day festival at Limerick, the Faugheen Novice Chase (2.40) is shaping up to be another quality affair, having been elevated to Grade 1 status in 2018.
Faugheen, winner of the race in 2019, and last year's scorer Colreevy both went on to strike at the following spring's Cheltenham Festival, further reminders that this is a race to pay close attention to over the festive period.
As for the remainder of the card, the 2m4f O'Kelly Brothers Demolition Hurdle (1.33) has seen some smart performers line up in recent years, such as Diol Ker, Easywork, Unexcepted, Discorama and Felix Desjy.
Top horses
There may be no Bob Olinger but most of the Drinmore Novice Chase field are in the mix for the Faugheen Novice Chase, with Fairyhouse runner-up Gabynako topping the market.
However, his trainer Gavin Cromwell has also suggested that this could be Vanillier's festive target if ground conditions at Leopardstown aren't soft enough for the Albert Bartlett hero, keen to keep the pair apart this Christmas.
Beacon Edge, Run Wild Fred and Ferny Hollow also hold entries for the Limerick feature but are seemingly more likely to appear at Leopardstown.
Wetherby
Best races
Attending Wetherby's two-day Christmas meeting is akin to a ritual for racing fans in Yorkshire and after being forced behind closed doors last year punters will be out in full force again this year to rid themselves of the Christmas dinner hangover.
The Grade 3 Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase (2.10) over three miles is the highlight of its seven-race card.
Top horses
In the 1980s, the Rowland Meyrick used to be a regular stop on the way to the Cheltenham Gold Cup and although it doesn't have quite the same appeal these days, there will be plenty of familiar faces and up-and-coming young horses to look out for.
Ladbrokes Trophy winner Cloudy Glen has been entered while last year's winner Canelo, for top Flat and jumps trainer Alan King, is also in contention. Lake View Lad, another former winner, is also in the mix along with younger rivals Silver Hallmark and Empire Steel.
Other meetings
Best races
While most eyes will be on the above four meetings, that does not form even half the menu on the busiest racing day of the year.
A further seven meetings across Britain and Ireland will be held across a packed afternoon schedule with racing (weather-permitted) taking place at Market Rasen, Sedgefield, Fontwell, Huntingdon, Wincanton, Wolverhampton and Down Royal.
Down Royal plays host to the 2m5½f Metcollect Cable Recycling Hunters Chase (3.03) on its popular Boxing Day card, a race often contested by top Irish hunter chasers and won last year by Cheltenham Festival runner-up Billaway.
December 26 TV schedule: where can I watch it?
But how can you keep your eyes across this dizzying amount of sport while relaxing on the sofa?
The ITV Racing team are on air on the broadcaster's main channel from 1pm on Boxing Day with four live races from Kempton as well as the Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase from Wetherby.
Racing TV will have live uninterrupted coverage of the full cards from Kempton and Wetherby, as well as showing all the action from Leopardstown, Limerick, Market Rasen, Huntingdon and Wincanton, while Sky Sports Racing hosts full cards from Sedgefield, Fontwell and Wolverhampton.
There will also be a one-off, free-to-air channel dedicated solely to Irish racing, operating from 11.30am to 4pm.
Hosted by Gary O'Brien, Racing TV will show every Irish race on the FreeSports channel – available in Britain and Ireland – on Sky HD (422) and Virgin TV (553). It will also be on RTV Extra.
As is the case with each of the four days at Leopardstown and Limerick, Irish viewers can also follow the action on RTE2.
Coverage runs from 1pm to 3.15pm or 3.20pm every day, showing any live races from Leopardstown during that period. Both the O'Kelly Brothers Demolition Hurdle and Boylesports Faugheen Novice Chase will be shown live on RTE2 as well.
Monday, December 27
Chepstow
Best races
The Welsh Grand National, highlight of the racing calendar in Wales, takes centre stage in Britain.
Last season's race was postponed until January due to waterlogging (far from an uncommon occurrence) but a similar fate looks unlikely this year due to the recent dry weather and a steady forecast.
Chepstow's card also hosts a Grade 1 event in the Finale Juvenile Hurdle (), which will see some of the year's most promising three-year-old hurdlers clash in what should prove an informative race when looking towards the Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
Top horses
Last year's winner Secret Reprieve is favourite to become the first horse to go back-to-back in the Welsh National since Bonanza Boy in 1988 and 1989, but has not been seen on the racetrack since his triumph here in January.
Native River, who memorably won this race in 2016, returns to Chepstow having become a Cheltenham Gold Cup winner in the meantime.
Scottish Grand National winner Mighty Thunder and the Paul Nicholls-trained Highland Hunter add further depth to what is one of the biggest betting races of the year.
Harry Fry's stunning 18-length Sandown winner Forever Blessed and Olly Murphy's Tease And Seize are both going for hat-tricks in Chepstow's Finale Juvenile Hurdle.
Leopardstown
Best races
The Paddy's Rewards Club Chase (1.10) is one of the premier events for two-milers in the Irish calendar and Willie Mullins looks poised to enhance his already fine record in the race.
Istabraq, Solerina, Hurricane Fly, Jezki and Sizing John stand out on the roll of honour for the Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle (1.45), a race won last year by runaway Supreme Novices' Hurdle hero Appreciate It.
We saw Grand National hero Minella Times finish second in last year's three-mile Paddy Power Chase (2.55) and it is certainly a race worth watching back more than once for pointers towards some of the season's major staying handicaps.
Top horses
It could be a superb Paddy's Rewards Club Chase as Chacun Pour Soi is seemingly in the mix to return from his Tingle Creek disappointment, although it remains to be seen whether he'll take on stablemate Energumene, who is odds-on for the top-level contest.
Cheveley Park Stud's managing director Chris Richardson has also suggested that Envoi Allen could come under serious consideration for the same target.
Entries for the Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle are full of recognisable names, including no fewer than 11 of the 14 for Willie Mullins.
It may be difficult to predict who the champion trainer will run here, but Kilcruit features at the head of the market with Largy Debut, who caused an upset when beating the Grade 1 bumper winner in a Cork maiden hurdle earlier this month.
Gordon Elliott recently indicated that Mighty Potter, an unlucky third in the Royal Bond Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse, could be joined by high-class bumper performer Three Stripe Life if there's sufficient ease in the ground. Top-class mare Grangee is also in the mix for the Mullins camp.
Conflated, The Bosses Oscar, Noble Yeats and Alfa Mix are among those at the head of the market for the €200,000 Paddy Power Handicap Chase.
Other meetings
Best races
There is plenty more top-notch action from across Britain and Ireland on another busy day, with Kempton, Wetherby and Wolverhampton both concluding their two-day fixtures. A pair of Grade 2s, the Wayward Lad Novices' Chase () and the Desert Orchid Chase () are the highlight at Kempton.
Day two of Limerick's Christmas festival is centred around the Lyons Of Limerick Jaguar Land Rover Novice Hurdle (2.05), registered as the Dorans Pride.
Vanillier became the latest horse to contest the Grade 2 event before going on to win at the Cheltenham Festival the following spring. He memorably bolted up in the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle having finished second at Limerick last Christmas.
Fury Road, third to Monkfish in the 2020 Albert Bartlett, won this race in 2019, while Delta Work was second at Limerick before landing that season's Pertemps Final.
Penhill plundered this prize on his way to Albert Bartlett glory in 2017, just as Faugheen and Martello Tower did in 2014 and 2015 respectively.
Top horses
The magnificent Shishkin, a winner of all five of his starts over fences and favourite for the Champion Chase at Cheltenham in March, is set to return in the Desert Orchid after missing his planned comeback in the Tingle Creek.
Shishkin was also a winner of the Wayward Lad on this card last year, following in the footsteps of fellow Nicky Henderson-trained superstars Altior and Sprinter Sacre, and will bid to join them on the roll of honour this year.
Grade 2 Navan Novice Hurdle winner Ginto is the standout entry for the 2m7f highlight at Limerick, although Elliott has suggested he could be kept for the Lawlor's Of Naas Novice Hurdle at Naas on January 2.
Top-quality bumper performer Eric Bloodaxe, an impressive winner on his hurdling debut at Naas, was no match for Ginto earlier this month at Navan but should enjoy this step up in trip from 2m4f if lining up at Greenmount Park.
December 27 TV schedule: where can I watch it?
The ITV Racing team are back on air from 12.45 on ITV4 with a tasty offering of eight live races, featuring an even four each from Chepstow and Kempton.
For British viewers, the Grade 1 action from Leopardstown can be seen on Racing TV as can the full cards from Limerick, Wetherby and the remainder of Chepstow and Kempton.
Just as the afternoon's racing is coming to a close, Wolverhampton's evening card begins on Sky Sports Racing to keep the party going.
Irish viewers can also follow the action at Leopardstown on RTE2 from 1pm to 3.15pm, showing any live races from the Dublin track during that period.
RTE2 will also broadcast the Lyons of Limerick Jaguar Novice Hurdle from Limerick.
Tuesday, December 28
Leopardstown
Best races
One of the season's biggest races, the Savills Chase (2.20) rarely disappoints and has a rich history, won by the likes of Dorans Pride, Imperial Call, Best Mate, Denman and – on a record three occasions – Beef Or Salmon.
Expect to see a host of Cheltenham Gold Cup hopefuls in action once again this Christmas, as well as some leading Stayers' Hurdle contenders in the Dornan Engineering Christmas Hurdle (1.10).
Won last year by Cheltenham hero Flooring Porter, the three-mile event was previously dominated by Apple's Jade from 2017 to 2019 having been elevated to Grade 1 status in 2013.
Top horses
Runaway Betfair Chase winner A Plus Tard remains on target to attempt successive wins in the Savills Chase, and is out to cement his position at the head of the Cheltenham Gold Cup market.
Cheveley Park's top-notch stayer is likely to be tackled by prolific winner Galvin, whom Elliott believes will be well suited by decent ground at Leopardstown.
Delta Work, winner of this race in 2019, shaped encouragingly on his comeback at Down Royal and will bid to become the first horse since Beef Or Salmon to regain the Savills Chase crown.
Top staying hurdlers Flooring Porter and Klassical Dream remain in contention for the Dornan Engineering Christmas Hurdle, while Elliott could call on Sire Du Berlais, Abacadabras, Commander Of Fleet and Grand Roi for the same contest.
Elsewhere on the card, leading Brown Advisory Novices' Chase hope Galopin Des Champs has been entered for the 2m5f Ballymaloe Relish Beginners Chase (2.55).
Other meetings
There is a slight lull in Britain with only three meetings as we navigate our way through the nether zone between Christmas and new year. Flying the flag in the afternoon are jumps cards from Leicester and Catterick with all-weather action following at Newcastle.
Previously held in March, the Grade 2 BoyleSports Irish EBF Dawn Run Mares Novice Chase (1.30) is a new addition to Limerick's Christmas festival and notably was won by Vroum Vroum Mag in 2015.
Testing conditions typically create a strong stamina test in the €40,000 Tim Duggan Memorial Handicap Chase (2.40).
JP McManus was responsible for the 1-3-5 last year, while his Grand National scorer Minella Times was runner-up 12 months earlier as the leading owner saw three of his four runners finish second, third and fourth.
Top horses
All eyes will be on Concertista should she take her chance in the Dawn Run over 2m6½f.
Having made a highly pleasing transition to fences when winning a Grade 2 at Cork over 2m½f earlier this month, this would be the quality mare's first try beyond 2m4f.
Minella Melody, last seen chasing home Stormy Ireland in Grade 1 company at the Punchestown Festival, could be an intriguing rival if taking well to fences, while Sayce Gold is bound to improve for this longer trip than last time at Cork when fourth in the Grade 2 won by Concertista.
The Joseph O'Brien-trained pair of Darasso and Scarlet And Dove, both well established in Graded company, head the weights for the Tim Duggan.
Longhouse Poet, who has been absent for just short of a year but is also entered in the Paddy Power at Leopardstown on December 27, is another standout performer among the 31 entries.
December 28 TV schedule: where can I watch it?
Leopardstown's Christmas Festival gets the ITV treatment for the first time with four live races, including both Grade 1s, to be broadcast on ITV4. The show gets under way at 12.55 with a welcome spotlight also shown on two lesser-spotted tracks with two races each from Leicester and Catterick.
Every minute of the action at all three afternoon fixtures can be caught on Racing TV while Sky Sports Racing assumes the baton in the evening at Newcastle.
For Irish viewers, coverage from Leopardstown begins on RTE2 at 1pm, running to 3.15pm, with all races during that period from the Foxrock venue shown live.
RTE2 will also broadcast the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Dawn Run Mares Novice Chase and Tim Duggan Memorial Handicap Chase from Limerick.
Wednesday, December 29
Leopardstown
Best races
Some of Ireland's finest hurdlers have won the Grade 1 Matheson Hurdle (2.20) on the concluding day of Leopardstown's four-day festival, with legendary performers Istabraq and Hurricane Fly holding the record of four wins in the race each.
It's not the only top-level event on the card as several high-quality youngsters prepare to do battle in the Grade 1 Neville Hotels Novice Chase (1.45), registered as the Fort Leney.
Winners across the last decade include Last Instalment, Carlingford Lough, Don Poli, Our Duke, Shattered Love, Delta Work and – most recently – Monkfish.
Willie Mullins has won the last five runnings of the Grade 3 Advent Surety Irish EBF Mares Hurdle (1.10) and looks sure to be well represented once again in this trial for the Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
Top horses
It wouldn't be Christmas at Leopardstown without an appearance from Sharjah and the course specialist appears ready to attempt a record-equalling fourth win in the Matheson Hurdle.
Stablemates Echoes In Rain, Saldier and Saint Roi, as well as Zanahiyr, Quilixios and Teahupoo, feature in the possible field of ten left in after Tuesday's forfeit stage,
Impressive Troytown Chase winner Run Wild Fred is one of 16 still engaged in the Grade 1 Neville Hotels Novice Chase. Ladbrokes Trophy fourth Ontheropes is also in contention, as well as the likes of Vanillier, Mr Incredible and Beacon Edge.
Top bumper performers Kilcruit, Sir Gerhard, Classic Getaway, O'Toole and Journey With Me hold entries for the 2m4f Pigsback.com Maiden Hurdle (12.35), which was won last season by the useful Stattler.
Cheltenham Festival winners Heaven Help Us and Telmesomethinggirl could be seen in the Advent Surety Irish EBF Mares Hurdle over 2m4f, a race that also features classy mares Shewearsitwell, Royal Kahala, Dysart Diamond and Queens Brook.
Other meetings
Best races
The Grade 1 Challow Novices' Hurdle (3.05) at Newbury is traditionally one of the strongest novice events of the season and is run over an intermediate distance of two and a half miles.
At Doncaster, the Listed Yorkshire Silver Vase Mares' Chase (2.13) is the main event with a £60,000 pot to fight over. Racing takes place in Scotland for the final time in 2021 at Kelso, while Southwell's new Tapeta all-weather surface gets another run out in the evening.
We should see plenty of quality in the Grade 2 Boylesports Sporting Limerick Hurdle (1.30), the feature event on day four of Limerick's Christmas extravaganza.
Notably, Cheltenham Festival and Grade 1 winner Galopin Des Champs was pulled up in this race last year, failing to fire, while Willie Mullins also saw top-level scorer Franco De Port beaten in the same event 12 months earlier.
There are typically small fields for this race but that doesn't stop the production of smart winners, as evidenced in 2018 when that season's Champion Hurdle hero Espoir D'Allen got the better of Grade 1 winner Stormy Ireland. Grade 2 winner Saglawy was third in the same five-runner affair in which Triumph Hurdle scorer Farclas fell.
Top horses
Paul Nicholls has made a habit of targeting the Challow with his most exciting young horses – Denman and Bravemansgame both previous winners – and this year he could send unbeaten hurdler Stage Star to Newbury after two effortless victories so far this season.
Triumph Hurdle winner Quilixios was safely held by Teahupoo on his reappearance in the Grade 3 Fishery Lane Hurdle at Naas last month, but could get the chance to turn the tables in the Sporting Limerick Hurdle.
The pair of former stablemates have the option of contesting the Matheson Hurdle at Leopardstown on the same day, while Elliott can also call on highly regarded French import Saint Felicien in the Limerick feature.
The Robcour-owned four-year-old marked himself out as an exciting type on his recent Irish debut at Gowran.
Journey With Me, prominent in the market for the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle, holds an entry for Leopardstown on the same day but has another option at Limerick in the Connolly's Red Mills Irish EBF Auction Maiden Hurdle (2.40) over 2m3f.
December 29 TV schedule: where can I watch it?
For the fourth day in a row, racing will be featured on free-to-air TV in Britain with the ITV Racing cameras parking up at Newbury and Leopardstown from 1pm on ITV4.
Southwell follows Doncaster on Sky Sports Racing while it's another busy day on Racing TV with full coverage from Leopardstown, Newbury and Kelso.
The final day of RTE2 coverage from Leopardstown again runs from 1.00pm to 3.15pm, also showing the Sporting Limerick Hurdle from Limerick.
Coming up on New Year's Day: 2022 kicks off with a bang courtesy of Cheltenham's top-quality new-year fixture.
Al Boum Photo could return again at Tramore in the Grade 3 Savills New Year's Day Chase, while Put The Kettle On has been earmarked for the Grade 3 John & Chich Fowler Memorial EBF Mares Chase at Fairyhouse on the same day.
The excitement doesn't stop there. A day later we head to Naas for the Grade 1 Lawlor's Of Naas Novice Hurdle, won in the last two years by star performers Bob Olinger and Envoi Allen.
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