King George VI Chase and Sir Gino wins Christmas Hurdle: racing from Kempton – reside | King George VI Chase
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Key occasions
Ladbrokes King George VI Chase (Kempton 2.30pm) betting
Greg Wooden
Ladbrokes King George VI Chase (Kempton 2.30pm) preview
Lots has been written and stated already about this yr’s King George however with the favorite at an honest slice of odds-against, it’s finally as much as each particular person punter how they select to strategy the race and resolve what to again. There are some very apparent key races for kind college students to contemplate, although, earlier than put up time at 2.30.
John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase, Grade One, Punchestown, 23 Nov 25, 2m 4f (Gaelic Warrior, Reality To File)
Ladbrokes 1965 Chase, Grade Two, Ascot, 22 Nov 25, 2m 5f (Jango Baie)
Betfair Change Commencement Chase, Haydock, 22 Nov 25, 2m 5f (The Jukebox Man)
Kauto Star Novice Chase, Grade One, Kempton, 26 Dec 25, 3m (The Jukebox Man)
King George VI Chase, Grade One, Kempton, 26 Dec 25 (Banbridge).
Peterbrough Chase, Grade Two, Huntingdon, 7 Dec 25, 2m 4f (Djelo).
Kauto Star Novice Chase, Grade One, Kempton, 26 Dec 24, 3m (Il Est Francais).
SELECTION: THE JUKEBOX MAN
Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle (Kempton 13.55) end result
1 Sir Gino (N de Boinville) 4-7 Fav
2 Golden Ace (Lorcan Williams) 5-1
3 Rubaud (H Cobden) 16-1
6 ran
Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle (Kempton 13.55)
They usually’re off … Sir Gino is pulling exhausting and goes into the lead within the early phases … Golden Ace is up shut with Rubaud in third … Sir Gino nonetheless leads on the house flip … Rubaud travels effectively in behind … Sir Gino jumps the final effectively and kicks clear for a really snug win.
🥳 Nicely that was a pleasure to look at. Such a thrill to see SIR GINO make a profitable return to motion after damage has stored him away from the racetrack. Our 14th win within the Christmas Hurdle!pic.twitter.com/msOkXdWOiU
— Nicky Henderson (@sevenbarrows) December 26, 2025
Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase (Wetherby 1.35pm) end result
1 Konfusion (Callum Bewley) 8-11 Fav
2 Marble Sands (Nick Slatter) 4-1
3 Knappers Hill (Freddie Gingell) 4-1
4 ran
Non Runner: 3
Konfusion marks himself down as a horse on the peak of his powers by bolting up within the William Hill Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase. pic.twitter.com/ABq9ErkfM6
— Wetherby Racecourse (@WetherbyRaces) December 26, 2025
Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle (Kempton 13.55) betting
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Sir Gino – 4/7
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Golden Ace – 7/2
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Celtic Dino – 6/1
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Rubaud – 22/1
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Tripoli Flyer – 33/1
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Give It To Me Oj – 50/1
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Full market through Oddschecker
Greg Wooden
Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle (Kempton 13.55) preview
A giant Kempton-at-Christmas welcome again to Sir Gino, who made a massively spectacular debut over fences on the second day of final yr’s Christmas Pageant however reverts to timber within the absence of his stable-companion, Structure Hill, the winner of this race in every of the final three seasons. Given all that has occurred to Structure Hill since his win on this race in 2024, it looks like much more than simply 12 months in the past, however as his connections plan their subsequent transfer, Sir Gino is anticipated to be a really in a position deputy. He may but emerge as a number one contender for the Champion Hurdle, in truth, and whereas it’s at all times harmful to jot down off the defending champion, Golden Ace, who has developed a behavior of popping up in Grade One races at large odds, Sir Gino positively has unfinished enterprise over hurdles. A win could be a record-extending 14th for Nicky Henderson on this race, a exceptional achievement not least as the primary of the earlier 13 got here as lately – when it comes to Henderson’s lengthy profession – as 2000.
SELECTION: SIR GINO
Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase (Wetherby 1.35pm)
They usually’re off … Konfusion leads early within the poor turnout of simply 4 runners for this prestigious race … Knappers Hill is second with Marble Sands in third and Butch final … not a lot to report as they head out into the again straight with a circuit to go … solely two lengths separates the runners and all travelling OK for now … Butch is now struggling as the opposite three hit the house straight … and now Marble Sands is pushed alongside … Konfusion jumps effectively and kicks clear … and hurries house for a easy success.
Ladbrokes Kauto Star Novice Chase (Kempton, 1.20pm) end result
1 Kitzbuhel (Paul Townend) 13-8 Fav
2 Thomas Mor (Ben Jones) 12-1
3 Wendigo (G Sheehan) 5-2
6 ran
Ladbrokes Kauto Star Novice Chase (Kempton, 1.20pm)
They usually’re off … Kitzbuhel jumps the primary two fences effectively and has the lead early from Thomas Mor … Salver has not been leaping effectively … Blueking D’Oroux has made floor into second spot behind the long-time chief … Crest Of Fortune makes a mistake … Kitzbuhel leads with a circuit to go and Wendigo is final … the chief continues to leap effectively … a bd has the leas as they flip for house … he has all of them in hassle now … and jumps effectively within the remaining fences … he’s clear on the final and Kitzbuhel is obvious for win.
Ladbrokes Kauto Star Novice Chase (Kempton, 1.20pm) betting
Greg Wooden
Ladbrokes Kauto Star Novice Chase (Kempton, 1.20pm) preview
The novice model of the King George – the final two winners, The Jukebox Man and Il Est Francais, are each within the area for the large one at 2.30 – and likewise one in every of a handful of Grade One races in Britain that Willie Mullins has but to win. That’s primarily as a result of he tends to focus on the Leopardstown Christmas Pageant along with his novices after which unleash them at Cheltenham in March, however he has a reside runner this yr in Kitzbuhel, the snug winner of his solely begin to this point over fences. The five-year-old is the seemingly favorite right here however his debut was over two miles and three furlongs, and he raced very freely and didn’t get house in his solely begin over three miles over timber. That leaves sufficient of a spot in his kind to provide his rivals hope, and Wendigo (Jamie Snowden) and Salver (Gary & Josh Moore) each arrive with critical claims. Salver is proved on the journey whereas Wendigo is stepping as much as three miles over fences for the primary time, however he ran an in depth fifth within the three-mile Albert Bartlett Novice Hurdle at Cheltenham in March and I fancy this step up in journey will see vital enchancment.
SELECTION: WENDIGO
Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase (Wetherby 1.35pm) betting
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Kitzbuhel – 15/8
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Wendigo – 5/2
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Salver – 7/2
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Crest Of Fortune – 14/1
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Blueking Doroux – 14/1
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Thomas Mor – 16/1
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Full betting through Oddschecker
Greg Wooden
Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase (Wetherby 1.35pm) preview
The function occasion of Wetherby’s Christmas programme and a race that has, prior to now, usually attracted double-figure fields nevertheless it has been on a downward trajectory in latest seasons and this four-runner renewal – following the scratching of Our Energy – is, to be frank, a contemporary low. It includes a very promising and upwardly-mobile favorite, although, in Konfusion, who’s unbeaten on the observe and got here house 15 lengths in entrance of an honest area for the Rehearsal Chase at Newbury final time. Knappers Hill and Marble Sands, at round 9-2, would each be honest rivals for the favorite at their finest and reside each-way probabilities too, however with simply 4 runners, that’s now not an choice for punters.
SELECTION: KONFUSION
Formby Hurdle (Aintree 1.05pm) end result
1 Idaho Solar (Bryan Carver) 3-1
2 Mydaddypaddy (Harry Skelton) 8-13 Fav
3 The Final Cloud (B S Hughes) 18-1
6 ran
Non Runners: 1,8
Formby Hurdle (Aintree 1.05pm)
Newsflash: Low solar implies that the officers are omitting some hurdles. Three have been taken out so there will probably be simply 5 obstacles to leap. That is by no means very passable.
Ans they’re off … Starmount jumps the primary within the lead with sizzling favorite Mydaddypaddy in second … and now they’ve practically a mile to run earlier than they bounce one other flight annoyingly … Mydaddypaddy jumped the second effectively … and once more the third … he appears a category act … so now only one hurdle to leap … and now a really future house … Starmount leads with Mydaddypaddy difficult the brand new chief Idaho Solar … he involves take it up however can’t get previous Idaho Solar and Mydaddypaddy is crushed in an enormous shock at Aintree!
Formby Hurdle (Aintree 1.05pm) betting
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Mydaddypaddy – 4/7
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Idaho Solar – 7/2
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Storming George – 10/1
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Starmount – 12/1
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Look At Midnight – 25/1
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The Final Cloud – 40/1
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Diamond Hunter – NR
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Wahraan – NR
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Full betting right here through Oddschecker
Greg Wooden
Formby Hurdle (Aintree 1.05pm) preview
It’s a very very long time since a British-trained horse – or, for that matter, a horse skilled by somebody aside from Willie Mullins – has been the ante-post favorite for the Supreme Novice Hurdle, however that’s the place by which Dan Skelton’s Mydaddypaddy finds himself forward of the Grade One function of Aintree’s Boxing Day card. The four-year-old has been completely flawless in his three begins up to now, together with two novice hurdles to this point this season, and his seven-length win at Haydock final time – albeit in a three-runner race – was a sight to behold. He’ll set off as a short-priced favorite right here and whereas Harry Fry’s Idaho Solar, the second-favourite, can be unbeaten over hurdles, it is going to be a significant disappointment if Mydaddypaddy fails to land the chances.
SELECTION: MYDADDYPADDY
Ladbrokes Novice Handicap Chase (Kempton, 12.45pm) end result
1 Barlovento (S Bowen) 4-1
2 Tapley (Charlie Deutsch) 22-1
3 Jasmine Bliss (Paul O’Brien) 22-1
10 ran
Ladbrokes Novice Handicap Chase (Kempton, 12.45pm)
They usually’re off … Krak and Epic West are up within the lead and the fancied U Cant Be Severe has not made probably the most promising begin, being pushed alongside at instances within the early phases … now Tapley has taken up the operating with a full circuit to go … Jasmine Bliss has made good floor to hitch the chief and U Cant Be Severe has dropped again a spot or two … a mistake by Lumi Plugin … Tapley leads into the house straight with Barlovento difficult … Barlovento jumps the final within the lead and is all out to win from Tapley!
Ladbrokes Novice Handicap Chase (Kempton, 12.45pm) betting
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Noble Park – 7/4
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Barlovento – 6/1
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U Cant Be Severe – 13/2
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Queensbury Boy – 8/1
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Epic West – 9/1
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Secret Des Dieux – 9/1
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Tapley – 18/1
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Jasmine Bliss – 18/1
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Krak – 28/1
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Lumi Plugin – 33/1
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Full betting right here through Oddschecker
Good to see the jockeys up and OK after what appeared a worrying incident at Fontwell …
Greg Wooden
Ladbrokes Novice Handicap Chase (Kempton, 12.45pm) preview
A warmish favorite for the opener right here given that’s it a novice handicap chase, however Noble Park was undeniably spectacular when galloping 24 lengths away from his area in an analogous contest at Lingfield final time. The handicapper has reacted with an 11lb hike within the weights, nonetheless, and given that he’s at the moment priced up at round 7-4, that’s greater than sufficient to make me really feel as if an honest each-way different could also be lurking additional down the record. U Cant Be Severe, the slim winner of his two begins over fences to this point, is definitely a candidate, however personally I’ll be chancing my arm with James Owen’s Secret Des Dieux, who was staying on effectively on the finish of his final begin over two miles and appears sure to enhance for this step as much as an intermediate journey.
SELECTION: SECRET DES DIEUX
What’s being backed immediately you ask? Nicely we’ve bought the reply due to our associates at Oddschecker …
Right here’s immediately’s high three market movers forward of Kempton’s assembly.
Kempton 12.45: Queensbury Boy – 8/1 from 11/1
Kempton 15.05: Klub De Reve – 7/4 from 3/1
Kempton 15.40: George’s Boy – 6/1 from 17/2
Whats up. Good morning. Feeling effectively, or at the least higher than I do anyway? I used to be OK within the pub at lunchtime yesterday … and had simply two pints of London Satisfaction and left early as I used to be cooking. However it was the champers; the vino and the opiudding wine together with the gargantuan lunch that did for me. Memo to self for 2026 – tempo your self on Christmas day afternoon! Nicely, it’s going to be a whirlwind with eight conferences within the UK and three in Eire to maintain throughout. They’ve already began operating at Down Royal and Sedgefield. We’ll have previews and the betting for the TV races and any information that breaks. Please keep tuned and do take part with any feedback on this busy and thrilling day’s racing.
Preamble
Greg Wooden
Good morning from a cold Sunbury-on-Thames, the place what could effectively become one of many final runnings of the King George VI Chase at its historic and conventional house at Kempton Park is due off at 2.30pm this afternoon.
And if that is certainly the primary act of the King George’s Kempton swansong, it’s definitely going out in model.
This yr’s race was being talked up as probably the greatest for years even when it appeared seemingly that Willie Mullins would ship both Gaelic Warrior or Reality To File over to Kempton. Because it has turned out, he’s despatched them each, and they’re going to face, amongst others, two top-drawer British-trained second-season chasers in The Jukebox Man – within the colors of Harry Redknapp, no much less – and Jango Baie.
Final yr’s winner, Banbridge, is a 14-1 shot, which tells its personal story, whereas one other earlier Grade One winner right here over the King George journey, Il Est Francais, is 20-1. The younger and enhancing Djelo is 14-1 to comply with up his win within the Peterbrough Chase at Huntingdon earlier this month and Grasp Chewy, at 100-1, is the one runner within the eight-strong area with no life like likelihood at their finest.
The supporting card is pretty tasty too, with the unbeaten Sir Gino reverting to hurdles rather than his resting steady companion, Structure Hill, within the Christmas Hurdle at 1.55pm.
Kempton is at all times bursting on the seams for its largest day of the yr and the truth that there isn’t any Premier League soccer this afternoon has most likely added few hundred to the attendance too.
So if you happen to’re not on the way in which right here already, it’s most likely too late, however the excellent news is that you’ll, as at all times, have the ability to comply with all of the motion from the consolation of your couch right here on the Guardian’s reside weblog. Some picks for the ITV card are right here – with the same old caveats about investments happening in addition to up – and the motion is underway at 12.45pm.
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