Our expert tipster at NetBet has taken a look at the horse racing betting ahead of the Christmas Festival at Kempton Park and has picked out potential winners from two races.
Kempton Christmas Festival
Sunday 26th & Monday 27th December
Kempton Park Racecourse, Surrey, UK
Live on ITV
Kempton Park Meeting Preview
Taking place just after Christmas, the Kempton Park meeting is one of the most famous events on the National Hunt racing calendar. With 12 exciting races scheduled across the 26th and 27th December, there is plenty of opportunity for you to grab yourself a Christmas winner on the horse racing.
Kempton has hosted some of the most iconic moments in recent horse racing history, including the 20/1 winner Frodon upsetting the odds to win the prestigious King George VI chase last Christmas. Bryony Frost will be looking to make history for the second year running, but will face plenty of stiff competition from the talented opposition in the line-up.
With a massive £250,000 up for grabs, the King George VI chase is certainly the most highly-anticipated race of the meet. However there is plenty of good value on offer across both days, including the Grade 1 Kauto Star Novices’ Chase and Christmas Hurdle on the 26th, and the Grade 2 Desert Orchid Chase on the 27th.
We’ve looked ahead to the Christmas Festival and picked out a few tips that could help you win some money this holiday season.
Sunday, 3:05pm – King George VI Chase (Grade 1) – 3m
This 18 fence chase is certainly the standout race of the Kempton meeting. It was outsider Frodon who took the title last year to end Clan Des Obeaux’s hopes of a third consecutive win. Bryony Frost will be back again this Christmas looking to secure back-to-back victories on this historic track.
This race doesn’t tend to provide too many shocks, despite the 20/1 win of Frodon last time out – 11 of the previous 19 winners have been favourites. Paul Nicholls dominated this race for a long time, and it is his Clan Des Obeaux which will start the race as favourite at 14/2 with NetBet.
Although it is difficult to look past Harry Cobden, we think Chantry House is a good pick for an outside bet. Ridden by the ever-impressive Nico de Boinville, Nicky Henderson’s horse has won five of his six starts over fences and finished third in the other. He is one of the more youthful horses on the line-up, but could be in with a chance of upsetting the odds.
Selection: Clan Des Obeaux
Danger: Chantry House
Monday, 2:30pm – Desert Orchid Chase (Grade 2) – 2m
The fun doesn’t end on Boxing Day, and there is plenty for spectators to get excited about on the second day at Kempton Park. The Desert Orchid Chase is named after the famous horse that won the King George VI Chase four times, with the race being run over 2m and featuring 12 fences.
It is once again difficult to look past the favourite Shishkin. Nicky Henderson is the most successful trainer in this race having won it four times, and Nico de Boinville could be set for spectacular couple of days at the races.
Although six of the last 10 winners have been favourites, Harry Skelton shocked the racing world by winning this race last year on 20/1 Nube Negra. If you’re looking for an outside punt, the youngest horse in the race Funambule Sivola looks a good option. The six year old has finished in the top two in seven out of eight chase races.
Selection: Shishkin
Danger: Funambule Sivola
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