Your ultimate guide to the festive feast served up by ITV Racing

There is a feast of racing in Britain and Ireland over Christmas crowned by top-class action from Kempton, Leopardstown, Chepstow and Newbury. The Ladbrokes King George VI Chase, Coral Welsh Grand National and Savills Chase are among the highlights with ITV Racing coverage for four straight days from December 26.

December 26

Meetings

Kempton, Wetherby, Wincanton, Wolverhampton, Leopardstown, Limerick.

What's on ITV Racing?

Four from Kempton and one from Wetherby on the ITV main channel.

Are spectators allowed?

No.

The main races

Ladbrokes King George VI Chase (3.00)
Kempton (ITV and RTV)

The King George is one of the most prestigious races in the jumps calendar and the 2020 running looks to be hotly contested once again. The market cannot separate last season's first and second Clan Des Obeaux and Cyrname, while Gold Cup second and third Santini and Lostintranslation will also feature in a top-class Grade 1 at Kempton.

Ladbrokes Kauto Star Novices' Chase (1.50)
Kempton (ITV and RTV)

Top-class novice chasers clash in this red-hot Grade 1, a race that has unearthed subsequent Gold Cup winners Long Run and Coneygree. Shan Blue, Enrilo and the highly regarded The Big Breakaway are among this season's key contenders.

The Big Breakaway: tackles Grade 1 company at KemptonCredit: Edward Whitaker

Racing Post Novice Chase (2.15)
Leopardstown (RTE2 and RTV)

Ireland's best Arkle contenders tend to come to the fore in this intriguing top-level heat at Leopardstown. Felix Desjy and Darver Star clash in a race worth paying close attention to.

Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle (2.25)
Kempton (ITV and RTV)

Champion Hurdle heroine Epatante looks to emulate the likes of Binocular and Faugheen by defending this Grade 1 prize at Kempton. The top-class Nicky Henderson-trained mare comes here off the back of a blistering performance in the Fighting Fifth.

December 27

Meetings

Kempton, Chepstow, Wetherby, Leopardstown and Wolverhampton.

What's on ITV Racing?

Four races each from Kempton and Chepstow on ITV4.

Are spectators allowed?

No

The main races

Ladbrokes Desert Orchid Chase (2.30)
Kempton (ITV4 and Sky)

Altior makes his highly anticipated seasonal return in the Grade 2 feature on the card at Kempton, a race he won in 2018. He is set to take on a quality field including Duc Des Genievres and possibly Rouge Vif.

Welsh Grand National: a brilliant betting heatCredit: Edward Whitaker

Coral Welsh Grand National (2.50)
Chepstow (ITV4 and Sky)

One of the punting highlights over the festive period. The Welsh National remains one of the most hotly contested staying handicap chases of the season and Secret Reprieve looks this year's leading contender.

Ladbrokes Wayward Lad Novices' Chase (1.20)
Kempton (ITV4 and RTV)

The hugely exciting Shishkin takes centre stage in this Grade 2 event, with Nicky Henderson's Supreme Novices' winner putting his credentials to the test in a race won by Sprinter Sacre, Altior and Cyrname in recent years.

Paddy's Rewards Club Chase (1.10)
Leopardstown (RTE2 and RTV)

Chacun Pour Soi was stunned in a thrilling conclusion to this Grade 1 feature last season, and the Willie Mullins-trained ace looks to right that wrong 12 months on. Notebook, Min and Put The Kettle On are among his potential challengers.

December 28

Meetings

Leopardstown, Leicester, Fontwell, Catterick, Limerick and Newcastle.

What's on ITV Racing?

Two from Leopardstown, two from Leicester, one from Limerick and one from Catterick on ITV4

Are spectators allowed?

A maximum of 2,000 at Catterick.

The main races

Christmas Hurdle (1.50)
Leopardstown (ITV4 and RTV)

Stayers' Hurdle hope Sire Du Berlais is pitched into Grade 1 level for the first time in his career. Gordon Elliott is going for his fifth win in this race in six years.

Minella Indo: in action on MondayCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Savills Chase (2.25)
Leopardstown (ITV4 and RTV)

Leading Gold Cup fancy Minella Indo looks to enhance his big reputation, with Henry de Bromhead's runner taking on a quality field in Monday's feature. Delta Work, Kemboy and Allaho are among his potential opposition.

December 29

Meetings

Newbury, Leopardstown, Doncaster, Kelso and Southwell

What's on ITV Racing?

Five from Newbury and four from Leopardstown on ITV4

Are spectators allowed?

No

The main races

Matheson Hurdle (2.25)
Leopardstown (ITV4 and RTV)

It is round two for Abacadabras and Saint Roi at Leopardstown in this red-hot feature. The intriguing Saldier could also line up as Champion Hurdle pointers will surface.

MansionBet Challow Novices' Hurdle (3.15)
Newbury (ITV4 and RTV)

Top novice hurdlers look to emulate Denman, Wichita Lineman, Champ and Thyme Hill in Newbury's only Grade 1 race of the season. Paul Nicholls is likely to rely on Bravemansgame, while recent Cheltenham winner Make Good could represent the Irish.

Monkfish: 3-1 for glory in the three-mile Grade 1 at the Cheltenham FestivalCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Neville Hotels Novice Steeplechase (1.50)
Leopardstown (ITV4 and RTV)

Ireland's future Gold Cup hope Monkfish takes the next step on his chasing journey in this Grade 1 showpiece at Leopardstown. Eurobot and Latest Exhibition are among his potential opposition.

January 1

Meetings

Cheltenham, Musselburgh, Tramore, Exeter and Southwell.

What's on ITV Racing?

Four from Cheltenham and two from Musselburgh.

Are spectators allowed?

Up to 2,000 at Exeter.

The main races

Savills New Year's Day Chase
Tramore (RTV)

Al Boum Photo begins his preparation for a third Cheltenham Gold Cup at Tramore once again. He has won at this track for the past two years before Cheltenham glory and the Willie Mullins camp go for the tried-and-tested route.

Paddy Power Goodbye 2020 Hello 2021 Million Novices' Chase (1.20)
Cheltenham (ITV and RTV)

Oscar Whisky, Yanworth and Lostintranslation are among top names to have won the Dipper in recent years. Grade 1-winning hurdler If The Cap Fits may contest the Grade 2 heat while Bold Plan, the Exeter conqueror of The Big Breakaway, could also feature.

Cheltenham: in action on New Year's DayCredit: Edward Whitaker

Dornan Engineering Relkeel Hurdle (3.05)
Cheltenham (ITV and RTV)

There are not too many opportunities for two-and-a-half mile hurdlers to grab the spotlight and it will be interesting to see who steps out of the competitive two and three-mile divisions for this event. Last year's winner Summerville Boy is of obvious interest.

January 2

Meetings

Sandown, Ayr, Cork, Hereford, Wolverhampton, Lingfield and Wolverhampton

What's on ITV Racing?

Four from Sandown and three from Ayr.

Are spectators allowed?

Up to 2,000 at Hereford.

The main races

Unibet Tolworth Novices' Hurdle (2.25)
Sandown (ITV and RTV)

More Grade 1 action comes from Sandown where two-mile novice hurdlers clash in this typically informative race. The Colin Tizzard team have won three of the last four runnings of this race and are likely to be strongly represented again.

Read more

'We're not afraid to run him' - Waiting Patiently set for King George return

Clan maybe has the advantage but Cyrname will be very dangerous, says Nicholls

'He will run' - Henderson has no ground concerns as Altior is ready to return

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