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Boxing Day Horseracing Betting Preview: Get the Timeform verdict on the highlights of a huge day

Events RSS / / 25 December 2008 /

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There's racing at 11 courses across England and Ireland on Boxing Day. Timeform mark your card for the top races, including Katuo Star's return to the track...

If you've had enough of the turkey and mince pies come Boxing Day then what better way to spend a day out of the house then at one of the 11 meetings taking place across England and Ireland as December 26th once more brings an exceptional day's racing.

The highlight undoubtedly comes at Kempton and what would Boxing Day be without the King George VI Chase? All eyes this year will be on Kauto Star, attempting to complete a hat-trick of successes in the big race and likely to be sent off a short-priced favourite despite his less than auspicious display in the Betfair Chase at Haydock last month where he failed to complete for just the second time under rules.

His chief rival looks to be Voy Por Ustedes, who made a sound return when fourth to Knowhere in the Old Roan Chase at Aintree. The improving Imperial Commander looks set to take his chance in Grade 1-company providing the ground doesn't come up too firm, while both Our Vic and Snoopy Loopy are two other interesting contenders with place prospects, the latter supplemented for the race last week in an attempt to maintain his lead in the BHA Order of Merit series.

The Feltham Novices' Chase and Christmas Hurdle are the two other Pattern races on a stellar supporting card. Breedsbreeze is likely to be all the rage for the Feltham, Paul Nicholls' exciting chasing prospect has been very impressive when landing the odds on both his starts over fences so far and looks one who could go to the very top. The Market Man looks a fascinating rival, a most decisive winner of the Berkshire at Newbury last time he's hard to leave out of calculations such is the form of Nicky Henderson's string at present. Indeed, the Seven Barrows handler could take another step towards Nicholls' trainers title on Boxing Day such is the volume of quality horses he has entered to run all over the country.

Most people's idea of a Boxing Day Banker would be Punjabi in the Christmas Hurdle. While he's very much playing second fiddle to Binocular in the Champion Hurdle ante-post market he's undoubtedly capable of continuing his good run at the top level and looks sure to give a good account here taking on a field largely consisting of rivals he's beaten before. His chief danger could be the unexposed and improving Snap Tie from the Philip Hobbs' yard.

Wetherby plays host to one of it's best Boxing Day cards for a number of years, with the latest renewal of the Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase looking particularly mouth-watering. A full preview and free race insight for the race can be found in the 'Race Preview' section on the homepage of Timeform.com.

Victory Gunner will be aiming for his fourth successive win in the Lincolnshire National at Market Rasen, Craig Roberts' tough ten-year-old looks to have returned to form at the right time, finding plenty when third to Deep Quest at Exeter earlier this month. The English National Hunt fixture list is completed by racing at Huntingdon, Sedgefield, Towcester and Wincanton, while Wolverhampton play host to a seven-race Flat card on the Polytrack.

There are three meetings in Ireland with the pick of the action taking place at Leopardstown. The third race on the card, the Grade 1 Durkan New Homes Juvenile Hurdle, looks set to have a major impact on the two-mile juveniles' division with some of Ireland's most exciting prospects making up a field of eleven. Lethal Weapon has been most impressive when winning his two starts so far and looks the one to beat.

Similarly, the Paul Nicholls raider Tatenen heads the ratings in what will prove to be a highly-informative renewal of the Grade 1 Durkan New Homes Novice Chase. Already a short price for the Arkle, Tatenen's reputation will be put to the test in what will be easily his toughest assignment to date, the field including others who could well go to the very top, including Made In Taipan, Cooldine and Forpadydeplasterer. There's also racing at Down Royal and Limerick.

From us all at Timeform may we wish you a Merry Christmas and a profitable 2009!

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