Christmas Racing Review: Epic King George and Welsh Grand National Record

Hi all,

What a fantastic long Christmas weekend of racing we’ve had, particularly at Kempton and Leopardstown. There was plenty of drama, thrilling finishes and a few bubbles burst along the way.

Over the next two days I’ll reflect on my highlights from the four days. Today the focus is on Friday and Saturday, with Sunday and Monday to follow tomorrow.

Apologies in advance as today’s main piece is a long one.

Boxing Day

The King George VI Chase at Kempton has always been the centrepiece of the Boxing Day action. In recent years the race hasn’t always delivered, but this year’s renewal lived up to the billing and then some.

An Epic King George at Kempton

On paper it looked a cracker. We had top Irish chasers Gaelic Warrior and Fact To File, last season’s leading novice chasers Jango Baie and The Jukebox Man, plus last year’s winner and runner-up Banbridge and Il Est Français among the eight runners.

Il Est Français didn’t blaze a trail in front, which led to a fairly modest early gallop. As a result, turning in for home most of the field were still in with a chance. At the last, the race was wide open, with just a length covering four horses.

Jumping the last Sean Bowen produced Banbridge to lead at what looked the right moment. For a few strides it appeared to be between him and Gaelic Warrior but sandwiched between the pair The Jukebox Man was rallying strongly. He got his head down when it mattered most to win a head-bobbing finish by a nose from Banbridge, with Gaelic Warrior a further nose back in third and Jango Baie just half a length away in fourth.

It was an epic finish, more reminiscent of a Flat race than a three-mile chase. Fine margins decided the outcome, but the best horse won.

The winning time was the quickest for the race since Kempton was redeveloped, more a reflection of genuinely good ground than the pace of the race.

The only disappointing performance was delivered by Fact To File who didn’t seem to be up for the race.

If this does turn out to be one of the final King George VI Chases run at Kempton – I suspect a possible last hurrah in 2026 — it would be some way to bow out.

Class and Comebacks: Kitzbuhel Ascends as Sir Gino Returns in Style

Earlier on the card, Kitzbuhel jumped like an old hand to land the Grade 1 Kauto Star Novices’ Chase. It was a decisive success for the 5yo, who already looks a much better chaser than he ever was a hurdler. He has the scope for further improvement and should go on to better things over fences.

There was also a feel-good story in the Grade 1 Christmas Hurdle, where Sir Gino returned from a long absence to win on his first start since a serious leg infection that nearly cost him his life. It was his first run since winning over fences at this meeting 12 months ago and he saw off Golden Ace in comfortable fashion. If he builds on this, he’s now a serious contender for the Champion Hurdle.

Hype Dented, Not Destroyed

The Mydaddypaddy bubble burst as he lost his unbeaten record when second to Idaho Sun in the Grade 1 Formby Hurdle at Aintree. It was an unsatisfactory contest, with all the hurdles in the straight omitted due to the low sun.

Mydaddypaddy had been a 5/1 favourite for the Supreme following two facile wins before Friday’s race. The layers reacted sharply, pushing him out to as big as 20/1 for Cheltenham, although he’s since been trimmed back into 12/1. I’d said beforehand that 5/1 was poor value, but 20/1 was a complete overreaction. His current odds look far more realistic and, if you’re already on, there’s no need to tear up your ticket — he remains a player.

Over at Leopardstown, Romeo Coolio, so impressive when winning the Drinmore Chase last time, had to dig deep to preserve his unbeaten record over fences when seeing off Irish Panther by ½ length in the Grade 1 Racing Post Novice Chase (2m1f). The drop back in trip didn’t play to his strengths, but his class and stamina carried him home. He was eased in the Arkle betting afterwards and, unless the ground turns very testing, I would question whether he has the speed for that race. However, he remains a good chase prospect at 2m4f.

Christmas Saturday

Haiti Couleurs Makes History

Saturday’s highlight was Haiti Couleurs win in the Coral Welsh Grand National at Chepstow. It wasn’t a typical renewal. Normally a test in the mud, this year’s race was run on ground Timeform described as good to firm rather than the official good to soft. This was quick ground so don’t be fooled by the form bock which will describe it as good to soft.  Those conditions played perfectly to the strengths of the winner, who bounced back from a lacklustre effort in the Betfair Chase.

Always travelling strongly just behind the early pace, Sean Bowen sent Haiti Couleurs to the front after the seventh fence and he was never headed. Recent London National winner O’Connell moved into second at the last and briefly threatened, but he never looked like he would reel in the leader on the run-in.

Race favourite Jubilee Express was pulled up five out and found the ground far too quick.

The win was extra special for Rebecca Curtis, with Haiti Couleurs scoring a local success while carrying 11st 13lb to set a new weight-carrying record for the race.

Haiti Couleurs jumps well and stays thoroughly, and he deserves another chance in Grade 1 company. He’s already proven over the Cheltenham fences and a tilt at the Gold Cup looks justified in what appears an open year.

Kempton

Saturday’s Kempton card wasn’t as strong as Boxing Day’s. However, with three winners for subscribers, I wasn’t complaining.

The two standout performances came from Mambonumberfive and Thistle Ask.

Mambonumberfive was an authoritative winner of the Grade 2 Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase, making it 3 from 3 over fences. The race was strongly run and the time backed up the performance. Only a 4yo, there’s clearly more improvement to come. While he’s yet to be proven over the Cheltenham fences, he must enter the Arkle picture on this evidence.

Thistle Ask jumped and galloped his rivals into submission to record a 10-length win in the Grade 2 Desert Orchid Handicap Chase. He’s a rapidly improving two-mile chaser and is now 4 from 4 over fences since joining Dan Skelton.

Here’s what the trainer told the Racing Post after his success.

Skelton has suggested he may be better right-handed. I’m not convinced that’s a deal-breaker — he did jump right at Wetherby — but more important is decent ground. When he gets that, he’ll take plenty of catching.

Leopardstown

Solness Dictates Again at Leopardstown

The Grade 1 action switched to Leopardstown on Saturday, where Solness made all to win the Paddy’s Rewards Club Chase for the second year running. He goes so well over C&D and is a tough horse to pass when allowed to dictate from the front and get into a fluent jumping rhythm. I really fancied his chance, and his success gave subscribers a fourth winner on the day.

That said, he was probably a fortunate winner on this occasion. Marine Nationale got unbalanced after jumping the second fence and was lucky not to unseat his rider. To his credit, the Champion Chaser worked his way back into the race and closed to within half a length at the finish, which was an excellent return to action.

Majborough was sent off the 6/4 favourite. He jumped better than on his return but raced too keenly and could only finish third. He’s becoming a frustrating horse to assess.

Skylight Hustle Fortunate as Talk The Talk Falls

What looked a good renewal of the Grade 1 Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle went the way of Skylight Hustle, though he too looked a fortunate winner.

The previously unbeaten Talk The Talk had quickened smartly to head Skylight Hustle approaching the last, but he landed awkwardly and fell. He still looked a bit green at the final flight and the race appeared there for the taking. I think he would have gone on to win by a couple of lengths.

Skylight Hustle did at least finish his race off well and looks as though he’ll be better suited by a trip beyond two miles. If Talk The Talk’s confidence hasn’t been dented, he can make amends next time. He stamped himself a smart novice in what looked a deep contest and could yet develop into a Supreme contender.

Big Westerner Outjumps Rivals at Limerick

Down at Limerick, The Big Westerner was a good winner of the Grade 2 Dawn Run Novice Chase. She outjumping and ultimately outstaying the favourite Jade De Grugy. I was taken with the mare’s performance on the jumping front.

Runner-up in last season’s Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham. Shee needed every yard of the 2m6½f here and a return to three miles looks likely. Given the quality of her jumping, she’ll be worth her place against the geldings in the top staying novice chases.

Tuesday Racing

The Listed Byerley Stud Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (2:20) at Taunton, worth £25,628 to the winner, is Tuesday’s most valuable race.

French challenger Al Fonce has won her last two and commands respect. Both victories came on heavy ground, but she’s a half-sister to dual Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Al Boum Photo and, if she handles the quicker conditions, has strong claims. Lady Tadita, unbeaten in two hurdle starts on good ground, is progressing nicely and remains open to improvement. St Irene is another with upside after an easy success in a Wincanton maiden hurdle last month. She looks worth this step up in class.

At Haydock, the highlight of the seven-race card is the Betfred Last Fling Handicap Chase (3:05). Six go to post for this marathon contest, with Egbert and Jupiter Des Bordes the two that appeal most.

Egbert, a winner here over 3m1f last December for his previous yard, makes his debut for Christian Williams. The 8yo looked lazy when winning here last season, so Jack Tudor may have to earn his riding fee. If the yard switch has had the desired effect, he’s capable of winning races for his new trainer. He’s gone well fresh before and, if today has been the plan, he’ll go close.

Jupiter Des Bordes got off the mark at the seventh attempt when scoring at Warwick (3m) 19 days ago. He’s been hit with a rise for that win but remains 4lb out of the handicap. The 6yo is still unexposed as a stayer, and the yard won this race last year and in 2019.

Good luck with your Tuesday bets.

John