Gaelic Warrior, Fact To File, Jango Baie and Sir Gino all in action at Kempton - Boxing Day build-up as it happened

Dan Skelton: no runners at Kempton for the top trainerCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

My colleague Lawrie Kelsey has pointed out an interesting nugget regarding Dan Skelton and Boxing Day.

The title-chasing trainer, who leads the championship by almost £1.1 million, did not make a single entry on the King George VI Chase card at Kempton.

Skelton has the hot favourite in Mydaddypaddy in the Formby at Aintree, a race worth £56,950 to the winner, and has a stack of runners across other meetings including Wetherby, Market Rasen and Sedgefield.

There is £250,000 on offer in the King George and £56,950 to the winner in the Kauto Star, so Willie Mullins could well make some inroads into Skelton's impressive lead.

Kitzbuhel: runs in the Kauto Star Novices' ChaseCredit: Patrick McCann

Willie Mullins had two entries in the Ladbrokes Kauto Star Novices' Chase (1.20) at Kempton and runs Kitzbuhel.

The five-year-old, who won two of his four starts over hurdles for Mullins last season, made a successful chasing debut at Punchestown last month.

Mullins' other entry Jimmy Du Seuil has an entry in a Grade 1 novice chase at Limerick on Sunday.

Blueking D'Oroux
Crest Of Fortune
Kitzbuhel
Salver
Thomas Mor
Wendigo

Act Of Innocence (left): not declared for the FormbyCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Mydaddypaddy features in a field of eight for the William Hill Formby Novices' Hurdle (1.05) at Aintree but Act Of Innocence has not been declared.

The Nicky Henderson-trained five-year-old has the option of an introductory hurdle at Newbury on Monday, although he has yet to be entered in the race which closes at midday.

He had been second favourite for the Formby at around the 7-2 mark.

Diamond Hunter
Glance At Midnight
Idaho Sun
Mydaddypaddy
Starmount
Storming George
The Last Cloud
Wahrann

Sir Gino: unbeaten star is back at KemptonCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Sir Gino faces five rivals on his return in the Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle (1.55) at Kempton.

It is a race that Nicky Henderson has won in seven of the last eight years with Constitution Hill, Epatante, Verdana Blue and Buveur D'Air.

Celtic Dino
Give It To Me Oj
Rubaud
Sir Gino
Tripoli Flyer
Golden Ace

Jango Baie: heads the home challenge in the King GeorgeCredit: Edward Whitaker

Croke Park was the only horse not declared for the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase (2.30), with the Gordon Elliott-trained seven-year-old having other options in the Savills Chase at Leopardstown and the New Year's Day Chase at Tramore.

Here is the full field for the Kempton showpiece – what a running we have in store!

Banbridge
Djelo
Fact To File
Gaelic Warrior
Il Est Francais
Jango Baie
Master Chewy
The Jukebox Man

Golden Ace: declared for the Christmas HurdleCredit: John Grossick Racing

Champion Hurdle heroine Golden Ace is the latest addition to the Christmas Hurdle field.

She will be in receipt of 7lb from the returning Sir Gino and arrives on the back of her Fighting Fifth success at Newcastle.

Alexei, Anzadam and Nemean Lion are the three horses yet to be declared for the Grade 1.

Leopardstown: racing on December 26, 27, 28 and 29Credit: Patrick McCann

Here is the latest on conditions at Leopardstown, with declarations for the first two days of the track's Christmas festival closing this morning.

Banbridge: beat Il Est Francais in the King George VI Chase last yearCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Last year's winner Banbridge is the latest addition to the King George VI Chase field, with Sean Bowen taking the ride.

That leaves just Croke Park left as not declared with just under 40 minutes left until the deadline.

Interestingly, Banbridge has been declared in a first-time visor. Our betting editor Keith Melrose points out that Banbridge won Grade 1s on his first two starts in cheekpieces (the Champion Chase at Punchestown and this race last year).

Dan Skelton: has addressed a false rumour on X regarding Mydaddypaddy's wellbeingCredit: Edward Whitaker

Dan Skelton went on to discuss the fake news regarding Mydaddypaddy, which has clearly, and understandably, caused some upset for those closest to the horse.

Skelton said: "Mydaddypaddy went nicely up the hill this morning in preparation for the Formby. I'm very happy with him and he's been declared.

"I'd like to lead on from yesterday's not-news that he was injured. An account with two followers posted something that was quite frankly pathetic and it led to a lot of problems, both professionally and upset from the owners.

"Use this properly, please guys. I don't want to be embroiled in some sort of unnecessary row and discussion about horses who are or aren't well. I will tell everyone the truth as soon as I can give everyone the news.

"Mydaddypaddy was absolutely fine yesterday and people got taken down the road by an account with two followers. Can we all just accept that professionals will let everyone know the real news as soon as it comes. Don't be listening to these accounts because they are so misleading."

Mydaddypaddy: has a first tilt at Grade 1 company at Aintree on Boxing DayCredit: John Grossick Racing

There was a rumour on X circulating about big Supreme hope Mydaddypaddy yesterday. It proved totally unfounded.

As you can see in the tweet below, he is A1 and has already been declared for the William Hill Formby Novices' Hurdle (1.05) at Aintree on Boxing Day.

Sir Gino: back over hurdles at Kempton on Boxing DayCredit: Edward Whitaker

Sir Gino is set for his much anticipated return in the Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle (1.55) on the King George card at Kempton.

The Nicky Henderson-trained five-year-old was last in action at this meeting last year, beating Ballyburn in style in the Wayward Lad Novices' Chase on December 27.

He has been declared this morning for the Christmas Hurdle, with Celtic Dino among his four rivals with an hour to go before the declarations close.

Fact To File and Gaelic Warrior: both declared this morning

Despite a brief market drift yesterday, Fact To File has already been declared for the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase (2.30) at Kempton alongside stablemate Gaelic Warrior.

As expected, Mark Walsh rides Fact To File and Paul Townend maintains the partnership with Gaelic Warrior, who came out on top in a tussle between the pair in the John Durkan at Punchestown last month.

Djelo, Il Est Francais, Jango Baie, Master Chewy and The Jukebox Man are others to have been declared early doors.

These declarations can only be cancelled up to 9.30, with the declarations closing at 10.

Santa's first present: the Boxing Day cardsCredit: David Carr

Hello and welcome to our blog covering all the Boxing Day declarations.

There's little time for pleasantries as the Friday cards are already taking shape.

Follow this blog for all the final declarations, with the cards in Ireland also being confirmed for Saturday too.

Once the fields are revealed, let us know your big Boxing Day fancy, be it in the King George, Christmas Hurdle, Racing Post Novice Chase or the Lincolnshire National!