An action-packed week of racing will take place over the festive period with the highlights coming from Kempton Park, Chepstow & Leopardstown. The Christmas action will throw up multiple clues for the Cheltenham Festival, but there are some iconic races in their own right, and we pick out our best bets for some of the big races of the Christmas horse racing period.
On in-house tipster Steve Chambers has picked out four selections, as he looks to find the King George VI Chase, Welsh Grand National and Savills Chase winner.
King George VI Chase Tip (Friday 26 December 2025)
One of the main sporting events of the week over Christmas is the King George VI Chase, which takes place at Kempton Park on Boxing Day. A fascinating contest, it’s a UK-trained runner that can prevail for legendary trainer Nicky Henderson.
2.30 Kempton – Jango Baie (1pt win – 7/2)
All eyes in the lead-up to the King George VI Chase have been on the two Willie Mullins-trained hotpots in the shape of Gaelic Warrior and Fact To File, and at the time of writing they both sit pretty at the head of the latest betting. However, despite that pair being proven top-class performers it could be worth sticking with a UK star in the shape of Jango Baie, who will line up for Nicky Henderson and Nico de Boinville. He came from the clouds to shock Majborough in last season’s Arkle at Cheltenham, where he shaped like three miles would be his optimum trip in time. An impressive nine-length winner of the Grade 2 1965 Chase at Ascot on his comeback run, which came over 2m 5f, the Seven Barrows inmate could be the next star off the Seven Barrows production line. Providing he doesn’t get himself too far back then Jango Baie could prove to be a cut above his Irish rivals on this flat track.
Welsh Grand National Tip (Saturday 27 December 2025)
Stayers come to the fore at Chepstow on Saturday 27 December, as the Welsh Grand National will provide punters with one of the toughest punting races of the entire Christmas period. A real war of attrition, it’s a contest that has been won by some fine performers before, and we are backing a progressive stayer to land the prize in 2025.
2.50 Chepstow – Jubilee Express (1pt win – 6/1)
Always doing enough when landing the Welsh Grand National Trial at Chepstow back at the start of the month, Jubilee Express can duly land the coveted Welsh staying double at 2.50pm on December 27. The Sam Thomas-trained eight-year-old fended off a spirited effort from Collectors Item that day, and that pair are set to do battle again in the main event. However, the form can be franked by Jubilee Express, who has only been handed a 4lbs penalty for that success, so he still looks potentially well handicapped, and having shown he can excel at the trip then he could be too good for a host of rivals that could have seen better days.
Paddy Power Chase Tip (Saturday 27 December 2025)
Another tough assignment for punters on Saturday 27 December is the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown. Run over 3m 100y, this race will be hugely competitive, but it can go the way of a Gordon Elliott contender that lines up on the back of a fine run last time out.
3.00 Leopardstown – Will Do (1pt win – 16/1)
Fifth in the race last season, Will Do can build on that effort in 2025 and can finally land that big notable staying handicap prize he well deserves. He looked for all money to have landed the Porterstown Handicap Chase over 3m 6f at Fairyhouse last time out, only to be nailed in the shadow of the post by Better Times Ahead, but a repeat of that effort should see him go very close. The pair pulled 10 lengths clear of the rest of the field that day with the extreme trip just working against him. Dropping back in distance for this event should see him perform better, and with huge experience in these big runner fields then Will Do can hand Gigginstown and Gordon Elliott success in the race.
Savills Chase Tip (Sunday 28 December 2025)
Such is the Irish dominance in recent years at Cheltenham that the Christmas Festival at Leopardstown is often the place to find notable clues, and one of the highlights of the meeting is the Grade 1 Savills Chase on Sunday 28 December. A premier Cheltenham Gold Cup trial, it’s a former Gold Cup hero that can reign supreme and land the hat-trick.
2.30 Leopardstown – Galopin Des Champs (1pt win – 2/1)
Having missed the John Durkan Memorial a few weeks ago, Galopin Des Champs is set to make a delayed return to the track in the Savills Chase, but the dual Cheltenham Gold Cup winner can kick off his campaign with a win in a race he won in style in 2023 and 2024. He’s likely to have the 2025 Gold Cup hero Inothewayurthinkin in his way for glory, and he certainly broken Galopin Des Champs’ heart in the Gold Cup, but the latter is king at Leopardstown and can rule once again. With an astonishing seven out of eight wins at Leopardstown, Galopin Des Champs will be looking to extend that fine record, and whilst both market leaders will have the Gold Cup as their main target this season, a slightly undercooked Galopin Des Champs around Leopardstown can down Inothewayurhinkin, who failed to land any sort of blow in the John Durkan on his seasonal reappearance.
Christmas Horse Racing Best Bets
2.30 Kempton – Jango Baie (1pt win – 7/2) – December 26
2.50 Chepstow – Jubilee Express (1pt win – 6/1) – December 27
3.00 Leopardstown – Will Do (1pt win – 16/1) – December 27
2.30 Leopardstown – Galopin Des Champs (1pt win – 2/1) – December 28
FAQs: Today’s Racing Tips
Who is Steve Chambers? Steve Chambers is the editor and regular tipster and writer for GG. He has over 10 years experience in the industry and has a wealth of knowledge on all things racing.
When were the Christmas Horse Racing Best Bets published?
The tips for the Christmas Horse Racing Best Bets were published at 2.45pm on Wednesday 17 December.
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