Kempton’s Boxing Day card is one of the sporting highlights over Christmas and this year’s fixture will see a vintage renewal of the King George VI Chase take place at 2.30pm. Adding to the quality, Sir Gino will be the star attraction in the Christmas Hurdle, whilst the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase will see some exciting staying novices take their chance. The Tote Placepot will have a bumper pool available and we look to try and point you in the right direction of the winners, as we pick our selections for each race to put into your Placepot perms.
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Leg 1: 12.45pm – ‘Get Your Ladbrokes Free Kempton Bet’ Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase
Leg 1 Selections: (4) Noble Park
It’s a huge day for the combination of Nicky Henderson and Nico de Boinville and the Seven Barrows pairing can make a perfect start to the day by winning the opening contest at 12.45pm. Noble Park made a winning start to his chasing career at Hereford and duly followed that up with victory at Lingfield Park last month. He’s been given a whopping 11lbs rise for that victory, but a mark of 125 still looks within his capabilities and he looks to be the most progressive performer in this line-up.
Leg 2: 1.20pm – Ladbrokes Kauto Star Novices’ Chase
Leg 2 Selections: (3) Kitzbuhel, (6) Wendigo
A small field of six line up for the Grade 1 Kauto Star Novices’ Chase, but it’s a really trappy contest, so it could be worth sticking a couple of selections into your Placepot perm. Fifth in a Grade 1 novice hurdle last season, Kitzbuhel could be a better chaser and was impressive at Punchestown last month and is sure to improve. Another with huge improvement possible is Wendigo, who won a Grade 2 at Newbury last time out and the strong stayer could be doing all his best work at the finish and make it into the top two to get us through to leg 3.
Leg 3: 1.55pm – Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle
Leg 3 Selections: (4) Sir Gino
Champion Hurdle heroine Golden Ace was another shock winner of the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle last time out and Jeremy Scott’s starlet will certainly be ready to capitalise on any issues Sir Gino may have on his return to the track. Another of Henderson’s stars ready to light up Kempton, Sir Gino hasn’t been seen since winning the Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase at Kempton last Christmas, but a return to hurdles here will see him tested. He had a near career-ending injury after that Kempton win, so you have to be certain the Henderson team have him right for it. However, he’s undoubtedly the best horse in the race by a country mile and he can storm back to the track with victory here.
Leg 4: 2.30pm – Ladbrokes King George VI Chase
Leg 4 Selections: (1) Banbridge, (6) Jango Baie
A mouth-watering King George VI Chase is the feature race of the day at 2.30pm and the Irish pairing of Gaelic Warrior and Fact To File are set to fight it out for glory. However, it could be worth taking the pair on with the reigning champion Banbridge, who could be a decent value play, whilst Jango Baie is another exciting Henderson runner that can possibly claim glory. Avoiding the Irish pair is a questionable tactic, but we know for sure Banbridge will be kept out the back and look to storm home, so he could be nailed on for a top three spot. Meanwhile, Jango Baie was a gutsy winner of the Arkle at Cheltenham in March and he returned in impressive fashion in the 1965 Chase at Ascot, and with the step up to three miles sure to suit then he can possibly get his head in front here.
Leg 5: 3.05pm – ‘Join Ladbrokes Bet 5 Get 30’ Maiden Hurdle
Leg 5 Selections: (6) Klub De Reve, (6) Heron In The Park
A mediocre maiden hurdle follows the King George and it’s a race to air on the side of caution with the Tote Placepot by opting for a brace of selections. Harry Derham’s Klub De Reve put up a career best when second at Exeter last time out and he pulled 11 lengths clear of the third placed performer that day, so is entitled to improve again and he is the first pick. A winning bumper performer, Heron In The Park was fifth behind the smart Jackie Hobbs last time out and that form has been boosted with fourth placed Watamu winning earlier this week. Tom George’s raider will need to produce a bit more to figure in this contest, but could be capable of delivering.
Leg 6: 3.40pm – Ladbrokes ‘Best Odds Guaranteed In Racing’ Handicap Hurdle
Leg 6 Selections: (7) Paso Doble
A competitive finale comes at 3.40pm and plenty will fancy their chances, but the Paul Nicholls-trained Paso Doble could be the solid selection. The Ditcheat inmate hasn’t been out of the first three in his last five outings, so he’s an ideal candidate for the Tote Placepot. A four-length second at Lingfield two weeks ago, he’s been given no hike in the weights, so takes his chance off 122 for this contest and he could be certainly capable of grabbing a top-three spot again.
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