Christmas horse racing: 10 things you need to know

Horse racing takes centre stage over the Christmas period with over twelve meetings taking place on St Stephens Day alone.

The festive feast of racing starts on St Stephen's Day. Kempton and Leopardstown are the pick of the racing on Friday.

Both RTE and Channel 4 are showing live coverage of the racing throughout Christmas. Channel4's coverage will focus on English racing, while Rte will show proceedings in Ireland.

The Christmas horse racing starts on RTE Two at 1:00 pm on Friday December 26th and on Channel 4 at 10:10 pm. The Lexus Chase takes place on Sunday December 28th at Leopardstown and coverage starts at: 1.00pm on RT2.

Willie Mullins' horses Faugheen and Champagne Fever are going to run in the Christmas Hurdle and the William Hill King George VI Chase respectively at Kempton on St Stephen's Day. Faughheens is undefeated in his seven runs so far and is short of 4/11 with some bookmakers. Champagng Fever is second favourite for the race.

Alan King's Uxizandre is favourite for the Paddy Power Dial-A-Bet Chase at Leopardstown on Friday. Willie Mullins' Ballycasey is second favourite. Bobs Worth is the favourite in the Lexus Chase on Sunday. Sam Winner is running in that race for Paul Nicholls.

Alan King's Uxizandre is the favourite for the Paddy Power Dial-A-Bet Chase at Leopardstown on Friday. Willie Mullins' Ballycasey is second favourite. Nicky Henderson's Bobs Worth is favourite in the Lexus Chase on Sunday. Sam Winner is also a contender for Paul Nicholls.

Silviniaco Conti is favourite for the William Hill King George VI Chase on Friday December 26th. The Paul Nicholls trained gelding won the race in November. He finished second to Cue Card and Dynaste last year. Menorah also runs in the same race. Champagne Fever is the opposition. Al Ferof was third in that race last season.

Foxrock is favourite for the Paddy Power Chase on Saturday. Gallant Oscar has won three of the last four races he has finished. Embracing Change goes into the race after winning his last three races. Owega Star has not won since last October.

The Welsh Grand National takes place at Chepstow on Saturday December 27th. Richard Lee has won two of the last three Welsh National's. Stuart Crawford's Glenquest is a possible Irish runner if he gets into the race.

Bobs Worth is the favourite for the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown on Sunday. Boston Bob is second favourite at 4/1. Lord Windermere is next in the betting at 5/2.

Hurricane Fly and Jezki meet in the Ryanair Chase at Leopardstown on Monday December 29th. Willie Mullins trained veteran leads the current standings between the duo having won three of the five meetings. Fly is 8/11 favourite to beat JeZki again. Tiger Roll heads the betting for the rest of field at 16/1.

RTE will show the feature race each day from Limerick for the first time.

The four races are as follows: Grade 2 Shannon Airport Novice Steeplechase on Friday 26 December (2:05 pm), Tim Duggan Insurance Memorial Steepingle chase - Saturday 27 December 1:35 pm, Listed Irish Independent 4 Year Old Hurdle - Sunday 28 December 2:00 pm and Cliona’s Foundation Novices HURT on Monday 29 December at 2.50 pm. Black Hercules is going to run in the Cliona's Foundation HURRT.

The Grade 2 Shannon Airport Novice Steeplechase is on Friday 26 December (2:05 pm) The Grade 3 Cliona’s Foundation Novices Hurdle is Monday 29 December at 2:50 pm.