Big-race bonanza: Get set for the 12 Grade Ones of Christmas

A Christmas bonus with this race rescheduled, having meant to be the centrepiece of Ascot’s abandoned meeting last Saturday. It means the rematch between Champ and Paisley Park, both ten-year-olds, is back on after their terrific tussle at Newbury last month when the former prevailed by a neck. Champ’s only run at Kempton was almost six years ago, when beaten in a bumper, while Paisley Park will be having his first run at the Sunbury venue. Goshen will add intrigue stepping up to three miles, while Miranda won at this meeting in 2019 and confirmed her liking for the track when romping home over course and distance in Listed company last month.

A small but select field with Paul Nicholls responsible for two of the five runners. Nicholls has the warm ante-post favourite in McFabulous, who was not extended to beat Thyme Hill and Mortlach at Newbury last time, but he wouldn’t want the ground to get soft and only one eight-year-old has won this in the past 30 years. His stablemate, Gelino Bello, has won a pair of matches over fences and this will reveal more about him. Skelton relies on Galia Des Liteaux, who jumps in trip after impressing on her debut over fences at Bangor.

This looks at the mercy of the unbeaten Constitution Hill, who faces four rivals. The Nicky Henderson-trained five-year-old has looked exceptional in his four races over hurdles, three of them Grade One contests. He’s won them by an aggregate of 60 lengths without being anything like extended. His 22-length defeat of Jonbon in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle last term had to be seen to be believed and he coasted to a 12-length win over Epatante in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle last month. The same Epatante who has a Champion Hurdle win on her CV and beat all bar Honeysuckle in last year’s renewal. Constutution Hill won’t be a betting proposition but he’s not to be missed.

A rematch here between Fil Dor and Saint Roi, who met in a beginners’ chase on heavy ground at Navan last month. Fil Dor was a comfortable four-length winner on that occasion, but he was at a possible fitness advantage, plus he would meet his old rival, the pick of the field on hurdling form, on 12lb worse terms. Gordon Elliott, the trainer of Fil Dor, also runs Hollow Games, although this trip could be on the sharp side for him at the highest level. In addition to Saint Roi, Willie Mullins also had the option of unleashing Dysart Dynamo, who went off joint favourite for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle in March. The trail-blazing front-runner has not been declared, though, it seems more probable he will run in the beginners’ chase 24 hours later.

The ante-post betting suggests it is odds-on that either Bravemansgame or L’Homme Presse takes the spoils. The pair were among last season’s top novice chasers, chalking up nine successive wins between them before both fluffed their lines at Aintree’s Grand National meeting. They have got back on track with fluent reappearance wins this campaign and set a high standard. Paul Nicholls, the trainer of Bravemansgame, is seeking a 13th King George triumph and has two more live contenders in Hitman, who won easily at Haydock last time, and Frodon, who attempts to regain the crown he won two years ago. However, neither would want too much more rain. By contrast, testing conditions would bring Royale Pagaille into the equation. Seven-time Grade One winner Envoi Allen flies the flag for Ireland and cannot be discounted, while an on-song Ahoy Senor also has form that gives him a shout.

Some jump trainers don’t have 16 horses in their yard. By contrast, Willie Mullins originally had that many entries to juggle in this contest alone. He’s trimmed that down to three, with his main contender being Kilcruit, who looked a potential top-notcher in bumpers and took well to chasing when winning on his chasing debut at Punchestown this term. However, in-between, he didn’t hit the hights expected over hurdles last term. Standing in the way of him is the unbeaten Gerri Colombe, trained by Gordon Elliott. The six-year-old is is five from five under Rules and impressed when winning easing up on his chasing bow at Fairyhouse, fending off Bronn (a 137-rated hurdler). He rates a most exciting prospect and his trainer, Gordon Elliott, has opted to rely on him, with Mighty Potter, Three Stripe Life and Minella Crooner not declared.

Chacun Pour Soi scooped this prize two years ago and officially rated at least 12lb superior to all the other entries, is going to be difficult to beat if anywhere near his best. He’s won his past four starts at Leopardstown, all of them Grade One races. The niggles are his eight-month absence (he got beaten in this race first time out in 2019) and the fact he is days away from turning 11. His younger stablemate, Blue Lord, rates a big threat, with his only defeat in his past six starts coming when third to Edwardstone in the Arkle last season. Captain Guinness also enters calculations, although he was no match for Chacun Pour Soi in the Dublin Chase at Leopardstown in February.

Facile Vega is unbeaten in five starts and is going to be one of the shortest-priced runners in action over the Christmas period. He dazzled in bumpers, winning his first two starts at Leopardstown before pulling off the Cheltenham/Punchestown double, and made short work of 15 rivals on his hurdling bow at Fairyhouse this month. He’s no bigger than 5-4 for the Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham in March. This will be no doddle, though, if Gordon Elliott runs Irish Point, who was beaten a head by Marine Nationale in the Grade One Royal Bond Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse 24 hours after Facile Vega had obliged. However, he does have an easier engagement a couple of days later at Limerick.

For obvious reasons, there would be no more popular winner than the Henry de Bromhead-trained Bob Olinger, who looked 95 per cent the force of old until wilting late on and being unable to fend off the resolute Home By The Lee in the Lismullen Hurdle at Navan last month. Bob Olinger’s late surrender after looking sure to win rung alarm bells, for all his defenders suggested he simply needed the run. Flooring Porter faded to be fourth in that race, but the trip was on the sharp side for him, plus he was trying to concede 9lb to the principals. He will be well served by stepping back up to 3m and might well be seeking a third successive victory in this but for Klassical Dream poaching a head start on him 12 months ago. Klassical Dream seems likely to make a bold bid to retain his crown, especially after his near-miss in the Hatton’s Grace on his return. But it’s Flooring Porter who makes most appeal.

The past three winners – Kemboy, A Plus Tard and Galvin – are on course to clash, just as they did last year when serving up a thriller. This feels like a pivotal day for A Plus Tard, a brilliant runaway winner of the Gold Cup last season but dismal on his return in the Betfair Chase at Haydock last month. His was subsequently found to be under the weather, but the worry is whether that run will leave a lingering mark. Galvin must also bounce back from a below-par run, as he disappointed at Down Royal last time. Conflated returns to the scene of his Irish Gold Cup triumph, while Stattler, who signed off last term with victory in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham, has yet to taste defeat over fences. Kemboy’s record in this race reads 1423 but I’m not sure this track plays to the strengths of Minella Indo, the 2021 Gold Cup winner.

Gordon Elliott has landed five of the past seven renewals and he has a strong hand here with his entries including Minella Crooner, Gerri Colombe, Three Stripe Life and Hollow Games. The quartet all hold alternative engagements, but this race looks a good fit for Minella Crooner, who dug deep to win at Fairyhouse last time and has already shown stamina to be a strong suit. However, the one they will all have to beat is Gaillard Du Mesnil, even though he has yet to win after six starts over fences. He has shown a high level of form, being placed in a Grade One chase for a third time when runner-up to Mighty Potter in the Drinmore at Fairyhouse last time. His efforts last season included finishing third to L’Homme Presse in the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham

Sharjah seeks a historic fifth successive victory in this race and he should be spot-on for his date with destiny after chasing home State Man, his stablemate, on his comeback in the Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown last month. Patrick Mullins, on board for his previous triumphs, will again be in the saddle. The problem for Sharjah is that State Man, four years his junior, will again be waiting for him. The younger horse has a compelling profile, having signed off last season with a convincing win in the County Hurdle before following up in Grade One company at Punchestown. He’d almost certainly be unbeaten in five starts for Willie Mullins had he not fallen in the closing stages of a maiden hurdle at this meeting last year. Best of the rest looks Pied Piper, a leading juvenile last season who has won at Cheltenham and Down Royal this campaign. He needs to up his game, but his high cruising speed should keep him in contention a long way.

Monday - 2.20 Leopardstown: Saint Roi at a general 5-1

Tuesday - 1.10 Leopardstown: Blue Lord at 9-4 with bet365

Wednesday - 1.45 Leopardstown: Flooring Porter at a general 5-2

Thursday - 1.45 Leopardstown: Gaillard Du Mesnil at a general 6-4