Friday 26th December 2025
King George Day
NAP: GAELIC WARRIOR – (2.30)
NB: WENDIGO – (1.20)
12.45 Kempton: SECRET DES DIEUX was a four and a half length winner on his chase debut at Fakenham in October, and followed that up with an excellent third-place effort at Newbury last month, keeping on behind Mighty Bandit and Mambonumberfive, with the latter looking very progressive, and the former winning since. That form looks solid, and the step up in distance here should suit. He could go well here for James Owen, and is a reasonable price to do so. (9/1) (Each-Way)
1.05 Aintree: MYDADDYPADDY is hard to oppose here for the Skeltons. He’s the current favourite for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, and comes into this contest boasting a perfect record of three victories from his three runs. He won his bumper by eleven lengths at Huntingdon in March and has since gone on to win comfortably at both Carlisle and Haydock over hurdles. He has every chance of being a top-class hurdler, and it’d be a big disappointment should he not win this, which is reflected in his price. (1/2) (Win)
1.20 Kempton: WENDIGO opened his account over fences at the second time of asking when winning the Grade 2 John Francombe Novices’ Chase at Newbury last time out, keeping on strongly to get the better of No Questions Asked by two lengths. He’s a very likeable sort who should still have plenty of improvement still to come, notably, now he’s been upped to three miles here, which looks right up his street. He’ll likely be bang there at the business end of things for Jamie Snowden and Gavin Sheehan. (5/2) (Win) (NB)
1.35 Wetherby: MARBLE SANDS made a winning return to this sphere when winning a Grade 3 handicap chase at Cheltenham last time out impressively, getting the better of Fascile Mode by four lengths. He’s been raised five pounds for that success; however, Nick Slatter will offset three of those here with his claim. He’ll have plenty of fitness on his side, having had a run on the flat before his Cheltenham run, and the trip won’t be an issue, given his latest success was over further. He looks solid here and should give his running again. (7/2) (Win)
1.55 Kempton: SIR GINO makes his return to the track following a year on the sidelines, having been last seen at this meeting last year when defeating Ballyburn in the Wayward Lad Novice’s Chase by seven and a half lengths. He reverts back to hurdles here, and looked imperious when last seen over the smaller obstacles, with his most recent success coming in the form of an eight-length success in the Grade 1 Fighting Fifth at Newcastle last year. He should be too good for these, despite the potential of being rusty, and he’s the one to beat. (4/7) (Win)
2.30 Kempton: GAELIC WARRIOR won the Grade 1 John Durkan Memorial Chase on his seasonal reappearance last month, in what was an emphatic battle with stablemate Fact To File, who he’ll face off against again here. That was the third success in a row for the Rich Ricci-owned seven-year-old, having won the Grade 1 Aintree Bowl and Grade 2 Oaksey Chase on his final two starts of last season. He’s a fantastic chaser, and if the run last time out hasn’t taken too much out of him, he should be a threat to all here. Paul Townend will take the ride, and he won the race last year aboard Banbridge. (11/4) (Win) (NAP)