Horse Racing Tips: Henderson’s Jango can land the big one

There's a bumper day of action across the UK and Ireland on Friday, with 11 meetings taking place across the afternoon and into the evening.

Among our horse racing tips for Boxing Day is one for trainer Michael McDonagh who has been in great form over hurdles and should relish the testing conditions at Limerick.

14:30 Kempton - Jango Baie @ 11/4

Willie Mullins’ high-class pair Fact To File and Gaelic Warrior both line up, but it looks worth siding with JANGO BAIE, who couldn’t have been more impressive when romping home in the 1965 Chase at Ascot.

People will try to crab that form, with Il Est Francais disappointing and Pic D’Orhy not running to form, but this is a case where we should be using our eyes - he travelled lovely, jumped brilliantly and was strong at the line over the longest trip he’s faced. The way he pulled clear of a smart chaser like Gidleigh Park was a sight to behold.

It speaks of his class that he was able to win the Arkle over two miles last season - form that has worked out superbly well since - and he suggested he may be suited by stepping up in trip this season when staying on for third in the 2m4f Manifesto Novices’ Chase at Aintree in April.

There is every chance he could find even more improvement as a stayer and should be well suited to the demands of the King George.

14:45 Wetherby - Cerendipity @ 5/1

CERENDIPITY put in a less-than-fluent round of jumping when a beaten favourite over course and distance last time, but he usually goes well at this track and that looks a run worth putting a line through.

He previously shaped well on his reappearance over this trip at Stratford, staying on well to take second behind the talented Be Aware, who has since finished runner-up in a Grade 1 to frank the form.

This 0-125 looks a far more winnable event than the 0-140 he tackled last time (winner Issam ran well in a Class 2 at Ascot next time) and he looks well treated off his last winning mark.

15:15 Limerick - Happy Dreams @ 5/2

Michael McDonagh has been trying to make this race his own in recent years, winning it in 2023 with Chainofconsequence and looking likely to follow up last year with Thelonglad, who led going best before falling at the second last.

It’s clearly a race he targets and therefore it’s notable his sole entry is HAPPY DREAMS, who returns to fences having been in fine form over hurdles, posting back-to-back career-best Racing Post Ratings in landing a handicap at Limerick by 20 lengths before going down by just a neck at Cork when last seen.

The eight-year-old looks especially well treated as he gets to race off a 1lb lower than that day now returning to fences, despite his best RPR in this sphere being 7lb higher, and he has a fine record at Limerick, with four wins, two seconds and two thirds from eight visits.

He's 5lb lower than when winning the Listed Tim Duggan Memorial during the festive period in 2023 and should relish the testing ground conditions.

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