Five to watch out for at Kempton Park on Boxing Day

Not long now.

While for most Christmas is all about tradition, family and plenty of food, it's on Boxing Day that the real excitement begins for racing fans - accompanied by all those Christmas leftovers, of course.

There are 11 scheduled meetings across Britain and Ireland on Boxing Day this year and, with growing concerns about another possible lockdown, Sunday’s action assumes added importance given the future uncertainty around capacity crowds at racecourses.

But what a day of racing we have in prospect, and particularly at Kempton with three Grade One contests taking centre stage.

Gold Cup winner Minella Indo is the headline attraction as he takes on dual-winner Clan Des Obeaux and defending champion Frodon in the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase. Throw Epatante into the mix in the Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle and a potential duel between Ahoy Senor and Bravemansgame in the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase and this is truly a winter warmer.

We’ve taken a look at five horses who are worth keeping on side at Kempton - ones who can hopefully provide you with some festive cheer.

Race: Ladbrokes King George VI Chase (3.05pm)

This really is a Ladbrokes King George VI Chase to savour. Clan Des Obeaux and Frodon are bound to be popular given their previous victories, while Saint Calvados completes the Paul Nicholls triumvirate and shaped with plenty of promise when fourth in this last year. Add in Asterion Forlonge, Chantry House and the rejuvenated Lostintranslation and we really do have a race to relish.

However, Minella Indo is taken to take the prize back across the Irish Sea. Henry De Bromhead’s star landed the Gold Cup in scintillating fashion at Cheltenham in March and there was plenty to like about his comeback effort when third in the Ladbrokes Champion Chase at Down Royal. Plenty noted that he would come on a bundle for the run physically, but he still ran a mighty race against Frodon and Galvin.

There are some concerns about whether this flat track will really suit the eight-year-old’s strengths, but I think he will have plenty of time to get into a good jumping rhythm. Given his high cruising speed, things may well play into his hands if the pace is strong up front.

Crucially, Minella Indo is clearly still progressing and 11/4 with Boylesports looks a fair price for this assignment. With Rachael Blackmore aboard, Barry Maloney’s superstar is taken to become the first Irish-trained winner of the great race since Kicking King in 2005.

Race:Ladbrokes Kauto Star Novices’ Chase (1.55pm)

This contest has the potential to serve up one of the duels of the season so far.

Bravemansgame was always bought to be a chaser but still managed Grade One victory over hurdles and has looked every inch a superstar in two starts over fences so far. It is no secret that trainer Paul Nicholls already sees him as a serious contender for the 2022 King George VI Chase.

The six-year-old clearly faces his stiffest test to date over the larger obstacles here with Ahoy Senor a possible runner if the track gets enough rain for there to be soft in the going description. Lucinda Russell’s stable star defeated Bravemansgame at Aintree last term and had shaped with promise before falling at the second-last in the Colin Parker Memorial on his first run over fences. A 31-length winner at Newbury on his latest start, confidence is high in the Russell camp that they have one of the most exciting horses in training.

However, on this occasion Bravemansgame gets the vote. Kempton should clearly suit, but his greatest asset in this rivalry could be his jumping. He has not even made a blemish at either Newton Abbot or Haydock and, while this is another step up, he defeated subsequent Charlie Hall Chase winner Fusil Raffles on his chasing debut. He officially has 3lb to find with Ahoy Senor on ratings, but Nicholls’ charge is taken to come out on top.

Race: Play Ladbrokes 5-A-Side On Football Novices' Hurdle (12.45pm)

Lydford has enjoyed an interesting year, winning a Racing League contest in August for Roger Varian and then scoring over hurdles at Southwell in November on his second start for Dan Skelton - after running a creditable second to fellow former smart Flat racer Zabeel Champion on jumps debut at Leicester.

Given his keen nature, Lydford could be suited by Kempton if he is able to get into a good rhythm. Nicky Henderson is always a trainer to note in this race and he has taken five of the last 10 runnings, but Skelton landed this race last year with the classy Third Time Lucki.

Race: Ladbrokes We Play Together Handicap Hurdle (3.40pm)

Nicky Henderson won this contest 12 months ago with 25/1 chance Monte Cristo but the trainer has leading claims this time with a horse closer to the top of the market.

Heross Du Seuil carries the same colours as stable companion Shishkin and made a winning start for Seven Barrows in a bumper at this course last term, scoring by 10 lengths. Things have clearly failed to go to plan since and he's finished second on both starts over hurdles despite going off at short prices, yet those runs could stand him in good stead here.

While his 16-length defeat to Amarillo Sky at Newton Abbot in a four-runner contest was disappointing on paper, the four-year-old didn’t seem to enjoy going left-handed, jumping out that way on several occasions. The winner has since gone on to improve his rating further over fences and the quick ground may have also been a negative for Heross Du Seuil.

This return to Kempton is clearly a major positive and there is still plenty of scope for improvement off a mark of 125. Henderson has four other entries in the race, but Heross Du Seuil is an unexposed young pretender and, having been off the track for 235 days, connections may have just been eyeing up this prize.

Race: Get Your Ladbrokes £1 Free Bet Today Novices' Limited Handicap Chase (1.20pm)

On paper, Iconic Muddle has plenty to find with some of his market rivals on this seasonal debut and he only got off the mark over fences at the fourth time of asking in May.

However, there is plenty of cause for optimism given he travelled powerfully to score at Huntingdon despite hanging to his right in the closing stages and the form has been franked since, with the runner-up winning twice subsequently.

The eight-year-old has been brought along steadily by Gary Moore and there is still room for more improvement off a handicap mark of 129. At a bigger price, he looks one to keep on side.