On Boxing Day 2024, racing fans are gearing up for some thrilling action across ITV Racing’s key venues: Kempton, Aintree, and Wetherby. With multiple exciting races on the card, expert analysts have weighed in on their top picks and what to expect.
Starting off the action at 12:45 PM, viewers can look forward to the Novices' Handicap Chase at Kempton, where both Matt Chapman and Mick Fitzgerald have highlighted Es Perfecto as their pick. Chapman emphasizes the horse's experience, noting, "He was third in this last year and is now only 3lb higher, having won last time to open his chase account." Fitzgerald echoes this, highlighting strong performance metrics: "He travels well and is well-placed to run competitively." This dual endorsement certainly lends credibility to Es Perfecto as fans prepare for the race.
Next up at 1:05 PM, the Grade 1 Formby Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree presents Potters Charm as the clear front-runner, earning nods from both Chapman and Fitzgerald. Chapman describes the horse as “easily officially the best horse in the race,” having scored impressively over longer distances recently. Fitzgerald supports this, stating, "He’s the best horse overall, and the drop to 2m shouldn’t hinder his chances as he’s shown capability at this distance before." The consensus paints Potters Charm as the horse to watch here.
At 1:20 PM, the Grade 1 Kauto Star Novices’ Chase will showcase The Jukebox Man, with Chapman asserting his confidence: "He was the best of these over hurdles and did really well at Newbury last time on his chasing debut." Fitzgerald weighs in on potential concerns due to the horse’s tendency to jump left—a factor he hopes won’t affect performance at the right-handed Kempton track—yet concludes, “While he’s the most likely winner, he’s a short enough price.”
Transitioning to Wetherby’s Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase at 1:35 PM, Some Scope draws attention, especially from Chapman. He notes the horse’s favorable weight of just 10st 2lb and recent improvement after wind surgery. Fitzgerald, too, identifies Sine Nomine as worth examining for each-way betting, particularly after her impressive comeback post-injury. On the same note, expert Richard Birch highlights Asta La Pasta as having the standout form heading to this race, indicating competitive intensity.
At 1:55 PM, the highly anticipated Grade 1 Christmas Hurdle takes over with a thrilling match-up between two stars: Constitution Hill and Lossiemouth. Chapman throws down the gauntlet, calling this clash “the mash up everyone has wanted to see.” Each competitor boasts impressive records, with Chapman declaring, “if he’s close to his best, he’s very hard to beat.” Fitzgerald concurs, asserting, “Constitution Hill seems back to his best” and inviting followers to keep tabs on pre-race betting to gauge confidence levels.
Concluding the day is the King George VI Chase, scheduled for 2:30 PM, where Fitzgerald suggests Spillane’s Tower could claim supremacy. He notes, “if his trainer feels the ground is soft enough for him to run—he's the one I’d like to be on.” Meanwhile, Chapman recommends Il Est Francais, mentioning the horse’s recent odds fluctuations and previous notable performances.
Throughout the day, Jason Walsh captures performances at Kempton, where the opening races are expected to be very competitive. With high-profile trainers and talented jockeys at the helm, the insights from Chapman, Fitzgerald, Walsh, and others pave the way for well-informed betting this Boxing Day.
It’s clear; the Boxing Day races promise nail-biting action and high-stakes excitement, solidifying the pivotal role of expert analyses and predictions as fans gear up for another thrilling season of horse racing.
