Christmas Ante-Post Racing Tips: Three selections for the festive action in UK & Ireland

There's some epic horse racing taking place over the Christmas period and here at Horseracing.net we take a look at some of the ante-post markets for the festive action. Our man Steve Chambers has picked out three races that should serve up thrilling encounters and he picks out his ante-post tips for a trio of races...

We are set for a fascinating renewal of the King George VI Chase at Kempton Park on Boxing Day as two potential stars from Ireland, Gerri Colombe and Allaho, make the trip across the Irish Sea to try and claim glory in this prestigious contest. However, it's Britain that can reign supreme once again in the 3m showpiece.

A spectacular 14-length winner of the race 12 months ago, BRAVEMANSGAME then went and chased home Galopin Des Champs in an iconic finish to the 2023 Cheltenham Gold Cup to enhance his already lofty reputation. However, things have been far from rosey this season as having suffered a shock defeat in the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby, where a last fence mistake cost him the race, Paul Nicholls' charge then suffered another loss in the Betfair Chase at Haydock. Beaten by Royale Pagaille that day, Bravemansgame was certainly not at his best, but a return to Kempton should see him in his best light.

A top-class staying chaser on flat tracks, Bravemansgame is likely to sit prominently and his jumping should maintain his prominence in the field throughout the contest. Allaho could be ridden forward, if he takes his chance, but he's not had much racing so could struggle in the closing stages/ The heavily-backed Gerri Colombe could easily lack the pace to win a King George and he's more likely to feature in the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March.

Should both Irish runners line up then Bravemansgame may not be much bigger on the day, but there's a significant lack of depth in the King George VI Chase line-up this year and Bravemansgame looks the real solid ante-post option to record his first win of the season.

One of the most competitive betting heats of the entire Christmas period, the Welsh Grand National is sure to serve up a real head-scratcher for punters and heading the betting, at the time of writing, is Monbeg Genius, who was last seen finishing a gallant third in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury. Jonjo O'Neill's raider has to be considered a player if taking his chance.

2021 winner Iwilldoit will look to regain the crown he won impressively two years ago and is another towards the head of the betting, while Nassalam won the recent Welsh Grand National Trial at Chepstow and is entitled to figure. Jamie Snowden's Super Survivor is another available at single-figured odds, but the one to go with is DUNBOYNE for Gordon Elliott, who is a top notch staying handicap chaser on his day.

Second in the Thyestes Handicap Chase off 133 in January, the eight-year-old then went to finish a creditable fourth in the Kim Muir off 141. Unable to land a blow when relatively unfancied in the Grand National, Dunboyne pulled up in that Aintree showpiece, but he showed the fire still burns bright when finishing an excellent fourth in the Troytown Handicap Chase at Navan back in November off 138. He will run off that same mark in the Welsh Grand National and if he can replicate his recent displays over normal fences then he has to be a huge contender, if the Cullentra House team elect to send him to Chepstow for this.

Pulled up when sent off favourite for the Grade 1 Sefton Novices' Hurdle at Aintree last season, ABSOLUTE NOTIONS is on the comeback trail this season and the Gordon Elliott-trained five-year-old is a leading contender for the Grade 1 Jack de Bromhead Christmas Hurdle, which takes place at 13:50 on December 28.

A facile winner went sent off at prohibitive odds on his comeback race at Fairyhouse last month, Absolute Notions was an easy 12 length winner. That would've been a real confidence-boosting success and the Cullentra House inmate can kick on from that effort now returning to the top sphere.

If he takes his chance in the Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown then he has to be a huge player as it looks a race that could lack significant strength in depth and while last year's winner Home By The Lee and the classy Irish Point are likely to take their chance here the young gun Absolute Notions could be one that is on the upgrade still and has to be considered the value play at the moment.