Hidden gems: three races you do not want to miss on a busy day

With 767 horses declared across ten tracks – and Grade 1s at three different racecourses – it is easy to miss something. Here are three more races you really must see on Boxing Day.

Skelton: Bennys King a big player

2.10 Wetherby
888Sport Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase | Grade 3 | 3m | 4yo+ | ITV/RTV

Phil Kirby has his eyes on a Grade 3 prize as Top Ville Ben prepares to tackle nine rivals in a quality running of the Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase (2.10) at Wetherby.

The seven-year-old has flown the flag for his burgeoning North Yorkshire stable with distinction over the past two seasons and returns to the track where he broke his chase duck by 37 lengths in March.

A disappointing seasonal return in the Charlie Hall at Wetherby was left behind when Top Ville Ben produced an excellent weight-carrying performance to finished a narrow third in a Listed handicap at Newcastle last month.

He gave runner-up Captain Chaos 20lb on that occasion, and Kirby said: "It was a great run at Newcastle and if he can step up on that he should be going there with a really good chance.

"It is competitive but he really likes the track there and the nice, soft ground is probably perfect for him."

Kirby, who has only had ten winners this season, is hoping a recent upturn in form can lead to a fruitful festive period, and he added: "Our horses feel like their coming back to form – we had a lot of young ones and a lot of badly handicapped ones at the start of the season. That stopped us having numbers of winners, but this is a good time for them to start to click."

Bennys King jumps the last to win the Sir Peter O'Sullevan Memorial Handicap ChaseCredit: Edward Whitaker

Bennys King has been revitalised since joining Dan Skelton last year and the trainer is confident he has the eight-year-old, most recently a winner at Newbury, primed for what would be the biggest result of his career.

Skelton, who won the race with Get On The Yager in 2017, said: "He looks great and has come out of the race at Newbury really well. I'd give him a definite chance in this – in my mind he's an improving horse and Bridget [Andrews] has won on him twice before. He's a big player."

Last year's winner Lake View Lad and the progressive Jonniesofa are two others who hold leading chances.

George aiming to be more positive with Doctor Dex

1.20 Kempton
Ladbrokes "Where The Nation Plays" Chase (A Novices' Limited Handicap) | 2m4½f | 4yo+ | ITV/RTV

ITV's first live race from Kempton is full of progressive young chasers vying to make their mark on a big stage in the 2m4½f novice handicap chase (1.20).

The Harry Whittington-trained Simply The Betts has transitioned smoothly from hurdles to fences, recording a pair of decisive victories at Chepstow and Newcastle and heads the market.

Roll Again has looked good in two starts for Venetia Williams and is sure to prove popular with punters, as is Hold The Note, who represents the same connections as last year's winner Glen Forsa.

Tom George saddles the talented Doctor Dex, another who has made an excellent transition from hurdles this term, headlined by a win on his chase debut at Ascot in November.

George said: "He's graduated very nicely from hurdles to fences but it just didn't go right for him last time at Kempton, where he got too far behind. We'll look to ride him a bit more positively this time and that should see him to better effect."

Solomon Grey has been plying his trade in top-level contests this season and was last seen tailed off behind Cyrname and Altior in the 1965 Chase at Ascot last month.

This shapes to be a fair bit easier, and trainer Dan Skelton is hopeful of good run at course where the seven-year-old has run well.

"He's in much calmer waters here than he has been previously, but it's still very competitive," Skelton said.

"That said, he ran well in the Lanzarote round this course last season and on the back of the performance he would certainly have an each-way chance."

Edwulf in good shape for competitive heat

2.45 Down Royal
Bluegrass Hunters Chase | 2m6f | 5yo+ | RTV

Familiar names and former heroes are among the 16 declared for this 2m6f contest (2.45).

Foremost among them is 2018 Irish Gold Cup winner Edwulf, who won a point-to-point at Loughrea in October and whose peak chase rating of 165 dwarfs that of any of his rivals here.

"He's in good shape and has been training well, so we're looking forward to getting him out again," said trainer Joseph O'Brien.

"It looks like a very good race but there's nothing unusual about that as these sorts of races in Ireland are usually quite strong."

Edwulf: peak chase rating of 165 dwarfs that of any of his rivals at Down RoyalCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Ucello Conti won three hunter chases for Gordon Elliott last season and made a pleasing reappearance from a 212-day break to finish runner-up in a point at Ballindenisk at the start of the month.

Well fancied for the Grand National in 2016, Ucello Conti is in excellent form according to Elliott, who said: "He ran second a few weeks ago and is in good order."

Aintree Foxhunters' runner-up Burning Ambition and 2016 JLT Novices' Chase winner Black Hercules are others in the line-up.

Download the knowledge of more than 200 experts with our free mobile app - it lets you study the form, get the latest tips and place a bet on the go. Get the app here