Get set for a Christmas bonanza as King George kicks off a series of big clashes

Monday

Declarations have been made for a feast of action on December 26, with six runners declared for the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase at Kempton.

Market principals Cyrname and Lostintranslation clash for the first time in a contest that also features last year's winner Clan Des Obeaux.

Cyrname: the highest-rated horse in Britain steps up to three miles in the King GeorgeCredit: Edward Whitaker

The only action in Europe on Monday comes from Chantilly, with a nine-race card on the all-weather. First-season trainer Tom Ward, former assistant to Richard Hannon, saddles two runners on the card.

Tuesday

There is a Christmas Eve meeting in the south of France at Cagnes-sur-Mer featuring the Listed Prix du Comte de Nice over fences.

Don't forget to check out the latest horses to follow in our new Tracker Tuesdays series, published on the website at 9am.

Runners enter the paddock at Cagnes-sur-MerCredit: Steve Dennis

Wednesday

Once the festivities are over there will be more time to study the upcoming tsunami of racing in the second half of the week.

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Thursday

The wait is over and Kempton has bragging rights with three Grade 1 races, headed by the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase (3.05) and Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle (2.30).

The four-day festival begins at Leopardstown and the other Grade 1 of the day looks explosive as Laurina and Fakir D'Oudairies face off in the Racing Post Novice Chase (2.20).

Two of the most exciting Irish horses in recent times are set to do battle in the Grade 1 Matchbook Betting Exchange Novice Chase (2.40) at Limerick as Faugheen takes on Samcro.

Game, set, match! Faugheen is set to take on Samcro at LimerickCredit: Alain Barr

Wetherby's feature Grade 3, the 888Sport.com Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase (2.10), has its usual strong entry of handicap chasers.

With Huntingdon's meeting called off due to flood damage, Sedgefield, Market Rasen, Wincanton, Fontwell and Down Royal complete the jumping action with Wolverhampton's all-weather meeting keeping Flat fans happy.

Friday

Leopardstown take over at the top of the Grade 1 table with two events, headed by the return of leading Queen Mother Champion Chase contender Chacun Pour Soi in the Paddy's Rewards Club "Loyalty's Dead, Live For Rewards" Chase (1.10) – he'll face the Nicky Richards-trained 12-year-old Simply Ned, who is bidding for a hat-trick in the race.

He's back: Chacun Pour Soi due to run a Leopardstown on FridayCredit: Patrick McCann

The Coral Welsh Grand National (2.50) brings Chepstow into the holiday action with Elegant Escape favourite to repeat last year's win. The Welsh track also stages the day's other Grade 1 with the Coral Finale Juvenile Hurdle (1.35) often a springboard to success.

Altior looks set to drop back to two miles in the Grade 2 Ladbrokes Desert Orchid Chase (2.30) he won last year at Kempton.

Wetherby and Limerick have their second days of jumping action and Wolverhampton again keeps the Flat year going.

Saturday

The Grade 1s just keep on coming with the Frank Ward Memorial Hurdle (2.00) and Savills Chase (3.10) at Leopardstown. The Willie Mullins-trained pair of Benie Des Dieux and Kemboy could make their seasonal reappearances in the respective races.

Rare talent: Kemboy could big for back-to-back wins in the Savills ChaseCredit: Getty Images

Newbury join the party with the Betway Challow Novice Hurdle (3.00).

Catterick, Leicester and Limerick complete the jumping line-up and Lingfield takes over Flat racing on the all-weather.

Sunday

Leopardstown finishes its four-day festival with another double barrel of Grade 1s with the Neville Hotels Novice Chase (1.55), which could stage a clash between Battleoverdoyen and Minella Indo, and the Matheson Hurdle (2.30), which looks sure to shed some more light on the Champion Hurdle division.

Promising staying chaser Battleoverdoyen could enhance his RSA claims on SundayCredit: Patrick McCann

Limerick stage their final day of the period while Kelso and Doncaster stage cards in Britain. Southwell picks up the all-weather Flat racing baton.

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