Boxing Day ITV Racing Tips: Kempton’s King George is the glittering highlight

Seasonal greetings, dear reader!

Time for the eagerly-awaited Boxing Day buzz centred around the King George at Kempton, and fortunately the ITV cameras are on hand to deliver the key contests plus a Graded cracker apiece from Aintree, and Wetherby. Coverage begins with Kempton's 12:45 and there are SIX terrific races all told to look forward to on the channel.

Merry Christmas!

Horse Racing Odds

Full ITV Schedule;

12.45 Kempton - 2m 4 1/2f Handicap Chase

13.05 Aintree - 2m Formby Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1)

13.20 Kempton - 3m Kauto Star Novices' Chase (Grade 1)

13.35 Wetherby - 3m Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase (Grade 3)

13.55 Kempton - 2m Christmas Hurdle (Grade 1)

14.30 Kempton - 3m King George VI Chase (Grade 1)

Fast Racing Results

Rationale;

12.45 Kempton - U Can't Be Serious @ 6/1

We're expecting ten to face the starter, and a trickier opening mouth-waterer would be hard to find.

Unfortunately my selection must shoulder topweight of 11st 10lb, but U Can't Be Serious arrives fresh from two wins this term at Exeter in this grade, and the brilliant Harry Cobden has been booked (he's ridden him once previously).

Joe Tizzard trains the six-year-old gelded son of Juddmonte winner Notnowcato, so he's bred to go a bit. He's already a much better chaser than hurdler (typical Tizzard profile), and a habit to jump right at his fences won't be too much of a hindrance at right-handed Kempton, touch wood.

He's up 6lb for that last success three weeks ago but is on the upgrade; and Harry's motoring along at around a 26% strike-rate over the last fortnight.

13.05 Aintree - Mydaddypaddy @ 1/2

Team Skelton provide my pick for this G1 novices' hurdle with a four-year-old Walk In The Park gelding - Mydaddypaddy.

Unbeaten in a bumper and two hurdle races, this big hope for the Supreme Novices' at the Festival shouldn't really be troubled to take this if those lofty aspirations are to be viewed seriously.

No price as I write, unless punters really get behind one of the admittedly promising-looking types that oppose - but Harry Skelton has a booked ride in every race on the card and could have an absolute field day.

13.20 Kempton - Salver @ 11/4

Hardly a surprise, but this is another crackerjack of a contest.

I'm hoping Gary and Josh Moore can upset WP Mullins and Jamie Snowden, who look to have the most dangerous adversaries in Kitzbuhel and Wendigo respectively, with their five-year-old gelding Salver, a son of Derby hero Motivator.

He's five-from-13 all told, and three weeks ago at Sandown (top track, stiff test) he bolted up in Grade 2 company after making his chasing debut three weeks earlier in Lulamba's romp at Exeter (beaten 10.5l).

Caoilin Quinn rides, as usual, and his partner today is appropriately a French-bred, as was the great horse this race commemorates - Kauto Star. Willie's is best-in on official marks but there's not a whole lot in it.

13.35 Wetherby - Konfusion @ 11/10

Wetherby on Boxing Day - and memories of beyond-brilliant former local trainer Michael Dickinson, who sent out 12 winners spread around five tracks (including here of course) on this very day in 1982.

A few months later at Cheltenham he saddled the first five home in the Gold Cup - quite staggering. He could ride a bit as an amateur, too. Ridiculously gifted gent.

Wetherby's big one on this special day is the Rowland Meyrick, and it's attracted a small but fascinating field. Few yards are in better nick that the one run by Joel Parkinson and Sue Smith (27% strike-rate over the last 14 days), and they saddle my hope Konfusion here.

The seven-year-old gelding achieved a massive, statement-making personal best at Newcastle 27 days ago when dotting up in the Rehearsal Chase, and a hike of some 10lb in the handicap is not in my view going to stop him following up this afternoon.

Jockey Callum Bewley had the leg up for the first time in Geordieland and unsurprisingly the partnership is retained this afternoon. This is an exciting horse going places, and has won over this course-and-distance before.

13.55 Kempton - Celtic Dino @ 7/1

Christmas Hurdle time, and some of the sport's 24-carat legends have taken this down the years. How about Lanzarote, Kribensis, Harchibald, Faugheen, and Constitution Hill (three times); to name but a few.

The key here, arguably, is how tuned-up Nicky Henderson's Sir Gino is for this. He's not been seen since this meeting last year when taking a G2 novice chase on debut over fences, after winning Newcastle's Fighting Fifth Hurdle in November impressively.

His programme appears to have been influenced by the woes of stablemate Constitution Hill, who would have been a sure-fire runner in this if not for the jumping inconsistencies that have badly marred recent efforts.

So - I'm taking a chance with Sam Thomas' admirable six-year-old Doctor Dino gelding Celtic Dino. In a red-hot Ascot G2 34 days ago he gave 7lb to the outstanding Irish-trained mare Wodhooh and was beaten only 2.5l. She got to within less than 3l of Lossiemouth at Aintree last season and is a serious tool.

Before that he gave 7lb and a beating to Alexei at Chepstow, and that talented Tizzard inmate has won two and been placed in another since.

Offers a nice bit of value in my book, too.

14.30 Kempton - Gaelic Warrior @ 11/4

The big one - the King George, and a sensational roll of honour that includes perhaps the two best chasers we've seen in relatively modern times in Arkle (out on his own), and Kauto Star (best of the brilliant rest).

I'm hoping that Gaelic Warrior can prove to be the answer, for the genius that is Willie Mullins. The seven-year-old gelding races in the famous Ricci family silks and is 10-from-19 all told, including six over fences (four at G1 level).

He was a good hurdler too but has really flourished since switching, with an Arkle win at the Festival under his belt plus a John Durkan when last seen 33 days ago.

On that occasion he had just a neck in hand of one of his rivals today, stablemate Fact To File. The JP McManus-owned eight-year-old is another multiple scorer at the highest level; and it's an astonishing fact perhaps but the fabled owner has never taken this great race before.

Nicky Henderson's Jango Baie leads the home charge arguably and my colleague Owen is very sweet on his prospects. This year's Arkle hero warmed up for this with a fine G2 success at Ascot 34 days ago and has a mighty chance - but I'm staying with Gaelic Warrior, and Willie's main man Paul Townend.

One thing is for sure - it's an outstanding renewal.

A very Merry Christmas-time from everyone here at Betfred, I hope you can share some quality time with family and friends, and of course enjoy all the brilliant sport we'll be treated to over the festive period.

ITV Racing Tips from Betfred Insights.