'I couldn't believe the price' - racing pros on their best festive fancies

Merry Christmas from all at the Racing Post! As an extra Christmas Day treat for our loyal readers, we have rounded up a selection of industry professionals – including trainers Paul Nicholls and Gary Moore – to give us their best bets over the festive period. . .

Joe Tizzard, assistant to Colin Tizzard

Nelsons Rock
12.06 Huntingdon, December 26

Our best chance of a winner over Christmas is probably Nelsons Rock at Huntingdon on Boxing Day.

Tom Lacey, trainer

1.20 Kempton, December 26

I couldn't believe the price when I saw 9-1. He's the best horse in the race, and Kempton suits him. He has a fantastic chance.

Charlie Deutsch, jockey

Cloudy Glen
2.10 Wetherby, December 26

He's one of our best horses now and every time you see your named jocked up next to him you're really looking forward to the experience. He'd be one of my best chances over the festive period.

Gareth Topham, commentator

2.10 Wetherby, December 26

I'll be at Wetherby where the Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase is the feature race. It looks a competitive renewal but I think it may pay to side with the slightly younger brigade.

Silver Hallmark is still a very lightly raced horse for his age but he's turned away some smart horses in his short career so far. I thought his comeback run at Carlisle in October was very respectable given he probably needed it, and perhaps crucially here he will be fresher than a lot of his rivals, a few of which arrive off the back of hard races.

Kate Harrington, assistant to Jessica Harrington

2.40 Limerick, December 26

It looks like he's got a big chance and hopefully he can bounce back. The ease in the ground at Limerick should be a help to him.

Gary Moore, trainer

3.27 Fontwell, December 26

He finished second at the last Fontwell meeting, and has come on for the run. He runs off the same mark, and will be better suited by this trip. I think he'll win.

Jonjo O'Neill Jr, rider

I'd say An Tailliur is my best chance, he should go close in the last race at Kempton on Boxing Day.

Ken Pitterson, paddock expert

Mighty Potter
1.45 Leopardstown, December 27

Things didn’t go his way in the Royal Bond at Fairyhouse, where they went no pace and he found himself poorly positioned, but I really liked the way he finished the race. He can step up markedly on that effort and Jack Kennedy is back aboard.

Gary O'Brien, Racing TV

2.05 Limerick, December 27

I was impressed when he won a Punchestown maiden hurdle over 2m5½f last month. It doesn't look the strongest running of this Grade 2 and hopefully he should have improvement to come.

Paul Nicholls, trainer

Chepstow 2.10, December 27

Take Your Time is my best bet. He is a progressive horse and won well over course and distance last time.

Tim Palin, Middleham Park racing manager

2.50 Chepstow, December 27

He’s unbeaten in three attempts at Chepstow, including an authoritative win in the race last season. He’s up 6lb to a mark of 140 and looks like he’ll carry a feather weight (assuming Native River runs).

Evan Williams won the Hennessy first time up with State Of Play so the lack of a recent run isn’t really a concern. Any rain can only help and it’d be a surprise to me if he were to finish out of the first four places.

Harry Derham, assistant to Paul Nicholls

Stage Star
3.05 Newbury, December 29

Paul has trained him for the race and he's a very smart horse. He ran well in strong bumpers last season and his hurdling has been very good so far. He's very exciting and has done nothing wrong.

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