Kempton and Leopardstown lay on a magnificent menu of tasty festive fare

Christmas is a time for feasting, for gluttony and for yet another helping of something delicious and delightful. With that in mind, and with so much on offer on December 26 alone, we have constructed a racing fan's perfect Christmas meal. Time to loosen those belts...

Aperitif
Racing Post Novice Chase
2.20 Leopardstown, December 26

A sweet and fizzy start to the festive period comes courtesy of Leopardstown where the Grade 1 Racing Post Novice Chase looks set to effervesce.

Connections of Footpad will be hoping the bubble does not burst after his superb debut over fences at Navan last month.

Among his seven possible rivals are some capable of producing champagne performances with the likes of Tombstone, Death Duty and Rathvinden possible runners on December 26.

Buveur D'Air will bid to make it two from two this term after his Fighting Fifth success at NewcastleCredit: Grossick Racing Photography 0771

Starter
Unibet Christmas Hurdle
2.30 Kempton, December 26

Something light and delicious is always needed before getting stuck into the main course and this contest looks as though it will fit the bill.

With only six entries confirmed on Wednesday, the race has been reopened for a further 24 hours. However, with Champion Hurdle winner and current favourite Buveur D'Air set to turn up at Kempton, it is sure to be a tasty start to proceedings.

Main course
32Red King George VI Chase
3.05 Kempton, December 26

Pile your plate high and get stuck into a proper race featuring some of the most exciting staying chasers around.

Hyperbole? No chance. Last year's brilliant winner Thistlecrack is set to be joined by the talented but erratic Might Bite, Betfair Chase bulldozer Bristol De Mai and top two-miler Fox Norton. The likes of Disko, Whisper and Tea For Two are also in the field of ten.

What is for sure, there are no turkeys in this race, just a plateful of decadent delights. So go on, dig in!

Apple's Jade: could be the star attraction in the Christmas Hurdle at LeopardstownCredit: Caroline Norris

Dessert
Squared Financial Christmas Hurdle
1.50 Leopardstown, December 28

Move over mince pies and Christmas pudding, it is Apple's that we want for dessert this year – more specifically Apple's Jade.

Gordon Elliott's star mare is one of nine who remain in the Grade 1 Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown on December 28. The likes of Nichols Canyon, Jezki and Supasundae (yum!) also feature.

Perhaps the most welcome name still engaged is Killultagh Vic, who has not raced since a remarkable back-from-the-dead victory over fences at Leopardstown in January 2016.

Cheese course
32Red Kauto Star Novices' Chase
1.55 Kempton, December 26

Time to indulge even further and perhaps get something more than expected. That has certainly been the case in the last few years.

In 2014 we saw Coneygree triumph – he would add the Cheltenham Gold Cup to his haul in the spring – while two years ago Lizzie Kelly became the first female rider to win a Grade 1 over jumps and last year Might Bite crashed out at the very last fence when looking set to win in sumptuous style.

There are 14 entries for the race this year with the likes of Mia's Storm, West Approach (half-brother to Thistlecrack), Flintham (half-brother to Coneygree), Death Duty and Black Corton. You won't need a sweet tooth to enjoy this one.

Sizing John: Gold Cup hero could be a festive treat in the Christmas Chase at LeopardstownCredit: Caroline Norris

Second helping
Leopardstown Christmas Chase
3.00 Leopardstown, December 28

If you are still not full after all those Christmas goodies, how about another top-class staying chase?

Yorkhill and Sizing John are among 22 confirmations for the race formerly known as the Lexus Chase (as is Killultagh Vic).

It is fair to say we are going to be well and truly spoiled this year.

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