One trainer, one jockey, one horse and one race to watch on Boxing Day

Trainer

Paul Nicholls will look to tighten his grip on the trainers' championship as he heads to Boxing Day with 12 chances across the day, three of which feature in the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase (3.05).

Clan Des Obeaux was king of Kempton in 2018 and 2019 before his stablemate Frodon caused a surprise last season and the pair are poised to play a starring role once again having landed Grade 1s in Ireland on their last racecourse starts. Saint Calvados completes the Nicholls trio.

Clan Des Obeaux: going for a third King George victoryCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

The yard's leading young prospect Bravemansgame is also in action as he clashes with Ahoy Senor in a fascinating Ladbrokes Kauto Star Novices' Chase (1.55). The bookies favour Nicholls' charge, who has won comfortably on his two chasing starts this season.

Other notable contenders sent from the Ditcheat base include Danny Kirwan, who features in the competitive novice handicap chase at Kempton (1.20), while Roque It, Barbados Buck's and Saint Sonnet contest the two big races at Wincanton.

Jockey

Paul Townend will have plenty to think about over his Christmas dinner as he prepares to go to Leopardstown the following afternoon with four top rides.

He partners two Champion Bumper winners who could have any amount of improvement to come in their new disciplines. Last season's Cheltenham hero, Sir Gerhard, is up first and makes his debut over obstacles in the Thorntons Recycling Maiden Hurdle (12.35).

Ferny Hollow: Arkle favourite in action on Boxing Day at LeopardstownCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Then Ferny Hollow looks to make his mark at Grade 1 level over fences in the Racing Post Novice Chase (2.20). The six-year-old, who remains the only horse to have lowered the colours of Bob Olinger, is out to build on his impressive chasing debut and maintain his place at the top of the Arkle betting.

Klassical Dream went on to win the Supreme after success under Townend in the Leopardstown Maiden Hurdle in 2018, so his ride this year, State Man, could be worth watching (12.00), while Fan De Blues is among the favourites for the "Bet Through The Free Racing Post App" Handicap Chase (2.55).

Horse

It was in the 2019 Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle (2.30) when the world realised the talents of Epatante and she returns to a familiar Kempton setting with a point to prove.

She suffered a shock first defeat in over a year to Silver Streak in this race last season and, after finding Honeysuckle too good at Cheltenham and Punchestown, was unable to deny the gutsy Not So Sleepy at Newcastle, with the honours shared in a dead-heat in the Fighting Fifth.

Epatante: 2020 Champion Hurdle winner returns to Kempton on Boxing DayCredit: Edward Whitaker

Now the Nicky Henderson-trained mare takes on that rival once again with her sights on a fifth Grade 1 success over hurdles.

Race

Two former winners, the reigning Gold Cup champion and a novice chaser who did the Cheltenham-Aintree double – how good a race does that sound?

That is precisely what the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase (3.05) has to offer with Frodon facing a stiff challenge in his quest to defend this famous title.

Gold Cup ace Minella Indo, the mount of Rachael Blackmore, looks to give Ireland a first success in the race in 16 years, as does Willie Mullins' pair Asterion Forlonge and Tornado Flyer.

It is D-day for Chantry House as he goes into an open Grade 1 for the first time, while Lostintranslation is another to note, as he fired back to form at Ascot last time.

The likely favourite, however, is Clan Des Obeaux who is already a two-time winner of this race and capped last season with a quickfire Grade 1 double at Aintree and Punchestown.

Read more

2021 King George VI Chase: why this horse can win the big race at Kempton

Confirmed runners and riders for the King George VI Chase – plus an early tip

Pricewise tips: get unbeatable big-race advice from Tom Segal this Christmas

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