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LiveScore Racing Preview: Kempton, December 26, 2021
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The Christmas cracker of a card at Kempton is very much our focus on Boxing Day
The Christmas cracker of a card at Kempton is very much our focus on Boxing Day

Boxing Day is a feast of racing action with no less than 11 meetings taking place across the UK and Ireland — ensuring 69 races will be run in a little more than five hours.

The pick of the action comes from Kempton Park, host to Grade 1 contests via the Christmas Hurdle, the King George VI Chase and the Kauto Star Novices' Chase. 

They race at Kempton from 12.45pm until 3.40pm with conditions forecast to be 'Good-good to soft in places'. 

We have selected five to follow on the card. 

12.45pm - Play Ladbrokes 5-A-Side On Football Novices' Hurdle (2m)

Nicky Henderson and Paul Nicholls will lock horns plenty across the two-day Kempton meeting.

And it begins here as Broomfield Burg is roundly expected to make up for his Cheltenham second this month by going one better for Henderson in the JP McManus hoops. 

This track ought to suit but it does so for PASO DOBLE. He is a C&D winner already and arrives here having won at Taunton recently. 

Harry Cobden's mount is a big danger to all concerned. 

LiveScore selection: Paso Doble 

1.20pm - Get Your Ladbrokes 1 Free Bet Today Novices' Limited Handicap Chase (2m4½f)

Bothwell Bridge looked an exciting recruit to go chasing for Henderson when he won at Sandown 23 days ago and, with progress likely, is the one to beat. 

Danny Kirwan and Killer Kane are worthy rivals, as may be SEBASTOPOL for Tom Lacey. 

He was second to Mick Pastor at Exeter on chasing bow then followed home Third Time Lucki at Cheltenham in November. 

He would surely have got on the board here (2m2f, good) later in that month had he jumped the last. He's got something to offer in this line-up. 

LiveScore selection: Sebastopol 

1.55pm - Ladbrokes Kauto Star Novices' Chase (Grade 1, 3m)

The two most exiting novice chasers in Britain are locking horns here as BRAVEMANSGAME takes on Ahoy Senor. 

The latter bludgeoned his rivals at Newbury last month, clocking a good time and winning by more than 30 lengths. 

Perhaps this relative speed-track will also play into the hands of Paul Nicholls' charge today. 

Bravemansgame will need to keep tabs on his rival, who beat him over hurdles at Aintree in the spring, but if he does he may have the tools to win over this track and trip. 

It could be very different if they engage in March at Cheltenham. 

LiveScore selection: Bravemansgame 

2.30pm - Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle (Grade 1, 2m)

Epatante won this in 2019 and was second last year. 

She has got major claims again but, despite travelling best, she could not shake off Not So Sleepy in last month's Fighting Fifth Hurdle and was perhaps fortunate to get a dead-heat on the line. 

They will both have claims again but last weekend's win at Ascot suggests TRITONIC is simply a better horse going right-handed. 

The talented four-year-old has more to find in this company but might well progress further. 

LiveScore selection: Tritonic 

3.05pm - Ladbrokes King George VI Chase (Grade 1, 3m)

Minella Indo and Rachael Blackmore partner up for the big one
Minella Indo and Rachael Blackmore partner up for the big one

Every inch the Christmas cracker it should be, this is a fine King George on paper. 

Clan Des Obeaux (2018, 2019) missed out on a hat-trick last year as stablemate Frodon won from the front to give champion trainer Paul Nicholls his 12th King George win. 

Harry Cobden's mount attempts to regain the crown now but is 0-6 in his career coming back from lay-offs. 

Bryony Frost and Frodon will attempt to boss it from the front again and while they beat MINELLA INDO at Down Royal in October, Henry De Bromhead's charge is going to be sharper here and the Gold Cup winner may well turn it around. 

He has first-time cheekpieces to aid him and, in what has been a scintillating year, he can provide Rachael Blackmore with another standout win. 

LiveScore selection: Minella Indo

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