Market movers, ground news, tips and much more for pre-Christmas cracker at Ascot and Haydock - plus Boxing Day fields to take shape

Sir Gino: heading back to KemptonCredit: Edward Whitaker

And the Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle... where Sir Gino is on course for his return.

Alexei Joe Tizzard
Anzadam Willie Mullins
Celtic Dino Sam Thomas
Give It To Me Oj Gary & Josh Moore
Golden Ace Jeremy Scott
Nemean Lion Kerry Lee
Rubaud Paul Nicholls
Sir Gino Nicky Henderson
Tripoli Flyer Fergal O'Brien

Banbridge: won the King George last seasonCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Confirnations for the King George have just dropped. Here's the line-up of horses on track for Kempton.

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

Honesty Policy: one of the key runners in the Long Walk this afternoonCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

The action is almost underway so make sure to check out selections from our top team of tipsters. On the menu for you this afternoon is:

Pricewise with Tom Segal (£)

Cracking the Premier Puzzle with Harry Wilson

Saturday Sizzlers with Paul Kealy (£)

Today's top tips

Here's a look at Paddy Power's market movers on Saturday morning...

Ascot

1.15:  Mount Gay Run 7-2 (from 4)
1.50: Rare Edition 7 (from 9)
2.25: Honesty Policy 5-2 (fr 11-4)
3.00 Pic Roc 11-4 (from 100-30)
3.35 Fiercely Proud 15-2 (from 8)

Haydock

2.05 Grand Geste 3 (from 4)
2.40 Supreme Malinas 5-2 (from 11-4)

Just away from Saturday's action, the Racing Post has plenty of festive treats going into Christmas and an action-packed line-up.

Do check out this guide for everything to look forward to while we will also have confirmations for the King George right here on the blog at noon as well as entries for the rest of Boxing Day.

Ben Pauling had two winners at Ascot on Friday and his leading contender has been well backed this morning.

Pic Roc is 5-2 (from 7-2) to land the Howden Silver Cup Handicap Chase (3.00) and he will need a bit more luck this time after losing all chance at the start last time in the Coral Gold Cup.

Haydock: ground on the hurdles course changed on Saturday morningCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

There has been a slight improvement in conditions at Ascot and Haydock this morning.

It is now good to soft, soft in places at Ascot, from soft, good to soft in places, and it will remain cloudy and dry.

At Haydock, the going description was flipped to good to soft, soft in places on the hurdles track. It remains soft, good to soft in places on the chase course.

A quick look at this afternoon's feature, the Howden Long Walk Hurdle (2.25), where early money has been for Honesty Policy.

He is 9-4 in places (from 11-4) overnight to strike for Gordon Elliott and Mark Walsh.

Potters Charm has also attracted interest, shortening to 6-1 (from 7s)

Ascot

1.50
1 Bluey (other)

2.25
10 King Ulanda (going)
16 Known Warrior (going)

Haydock

No non-runners

Crambo: bidding for a Long Walk hat-trickCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Good morning and welcome to our Saturday blog. If you had plans to get your Christmas shopping done, scrap them. There’s a cracking day of racing to entertain you and we’ll be guiding you through it.

The feature is the Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle (2.25) at Ascot. It is the track’s first top-level jumps race of the season and boasts a blockbuster line-up.

Three runners will fight out the Graduation Chase (12.40) to get the day under way, while later on there are two Premier Handicaps: the Howden Silver Cup (3.00) before Alexei is in action to close the card in the Rotary Club Festive Handicap Hurdle (3.35).

Away from Ascot, there are two Listed mares’ novice hurdle races, one at Haydock (2.40) and the other across the Irish Sea at Thurles (12.47).

And if that isn’t enough, we’ll also get entries for the British meetings on Boxing Day, including King George confirmations and entries for the Christmas Hurdle, Kauto Star Novices’ Chase and the Formby Novices’ Hurdle.

Stick with us for all the latest news, views and clues — and please get in touch to have your say by emailing liveblog@racingpost.com.