The festive period is packed full of top-class jumping action. The Ladbrokes King George VI Chase is the glittering highlight as the focus falls on Kempton’s annual Boxing Day card.
It starts seven days of superb racing but there’s also plenty of quality action in the weeks on the run-up to Christmas.
Here’s a look at December’s Premier Racing fixtures.
Sandown Park
Betfair Tingle Creek Day, Saturday 6 December
The Grade 1 Betfair Tingle Creek Chase tops the bill on Sandown’s biggest jumping meeting of the season.
It is one of the most exhilarating contests of the season. Watching top-class two-mile chasers tackle Sandown’s famous Railway Fences is the most spectacular sight and this year’s race is shaping up to be a cracker.
The big race is supported by the Grade 1 Henry XIII Novices’ Chase and an oompah band will make sure the after-party goes with a swing.
Aintree
William Hill Becher Chase Day, Saturday 6 December
Grand National hopefuls will get the chance to push their claims over the iconic Aintree fences in the William Hill Becher Chase.
The race sponsors are offering a £500,000 bonus for any horse that wins the Becher Chase and goes on to Grand National glory.
That is sure to have some of the best staying chasers heading towards Liverpool this weekend.
Kelso
Scottish Borders National Day, Sunday 7 December
There will be a festive flavour to Bruce Farms Scottish Borders National day.
The big race is one of the highlights of the season at Kelso and often attracts a quality field of staying chasers.
Off the track, there will be a Family Zone with a bouncy castle and other festive fun.
Cheltenham
The Christmas Meeting, Friday 12 & Saturday 13 December
There will be some superb entertainment on and off the track at Cheltenham’s Christmas Meeting.
The Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase takes place on the opening day. It’s always a thrilling sight as runners tackle the unique obstacles in the middle of the main course.
The Nyetimber December Gold Cup is the feature race on Saturday. It is supported by the Grade 2 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdles, which is likely to contain some quality youngsters.
There will be a free-to-enter tipping contest on both days, as well as the chance to meet Santa and his reindeers in Saturday’s fun-filled Winter Wonderland.
Ascot
Howden Christmas Festival, Saturday 20 December
The cream of the staying hurdle division will head to Ascot on the Saturday before Christmas for the Grade 1 Howden Long Walk Hurdle.
Crambo has landed the race in each of the last two years. He is likely to attempt to match the exploits of Big Bucks’, Reve De Sivola and Paisley Park as three-time winners of the prestigious prize.
Lingfield Park
Christmas Warm up Raceday, Sunday 21 December
The final Premier Racing fixture before the three-day Christmas break takes place at Lingfield.
The jumps card will be complimented by a range of festive fun. The horses won’t be the only ones charging down the track as there will be a Christmas Character Parent Race.
Hungry visitors can get stuck into the Mince Pie Eating Contest and there will be a Christmas Elf Hunt.
Kempton Park
Ladbrokes Christmas Festival, Friday 26 & Saturday 27 December
With three blank days of racing over Christmas the anticipation heading to Kempton on Boxing Day will be at fever pitch – and rightly so.
The Ladbrokes King George VI Chase is one of the highlights of the jumps season. It has been won by greats of the sport like Desert Orchid, Best Mate and Kauto Star.
Last year, Irish raider Banbridge mowed down French challenger Il Est Francais in a thrilling finish to the great race. This year’s contest promises to be another epic race.
The top hurdlers will fight it out in the Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle and the Ladbrokes Kauto Star Novices’ Chase makes it three Grade 1 contests on the card.
The following day, the big races remember two horses who lit up Kempton over Christmas.
The Ladbrokes Desert Orchid Chase and the Ladbrokes Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase – both Grade 2 contests – make for another high-quality day’s racing.
Aintree
William Hill Boxing Day Racing, Friday 26 December
There’s also top-class action at Aintree on Boxing Day.
The Liverpool track hosts a seven-race card with the Grade 1 Formby Novices’ Hurdle taking centre stage.
The inaugural running in 2023 was won by Jango Baie and this year’s race is sure to contain some stars of the future.
Chepstow
Coral Welsh Grand National, Saturday 27 December
The biggest fixture in the Wales’ racing calendar takes place at Chepstow with the Coral Welsh Grand National card.
The iconic race is one of the most prestigious marathon chases of the season and always attracts a quality field.
Not even the British weather can put a dampener on proceedings. If it rains between the gates opening and the last race, every visitor will be invited back for another raceday completely free of charge.
Newbury
Coral Challow Hurdle Day, Monday 29 December
There might well be the chance to spot a future champion at then final Premier Racing fixture of the year at Newbury.
The Coral Challow Novices’ Hurdle has been won by some of the greats of the sport. Denman showed the class that saw him go on to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup when landing the Grade 1 contest in 2006.
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