Horse Racing: Paddy Power's guide to the big Christmas races
*Odds quoted on the widget are Future Racing / Antepost prices which means that if your selection does not run in the race for whatever reason – you will lose your stake under traditional Antepost rules
It’s the most wonderful time of the year – because Santa’s sack is full of quality horse racing!
There are plenty of top contests on either side of the Irish Sea including the King George VI Chase and the Welsh Grand National as well as Leopardstown’s bumper Christmas Festival.
As well as being prestigious prizes, these races will prove informative for the big spring festivals including Cheltenham, Aintree and Punchestown.
The latest antepost horse racing odds can be found on the Paddy Power website and Paddy Power app, otherwise the key details for the big races over the Christmas period on either side of the Irish Sea are below.
Christmas horse racing calendar
DECEMBER 26
Distance: 2m1f
Winner: €59,000
Supreme second FacileVega is the favourite to land the Racing Post Novice Chase after a successful start to life over fences at Navan in November.
Distance: 3m
Winner: £142,375
Gerri Colombe heads last year’s winner Bravemansgame in the betting for the King George as Gordon Elliott considers sending over the Ladbrokes Champion Chase scorer.
DECEMBER 27
Leopardstown 13:10 – Paddy’s Rewards Club Chase (Grade 1)
Distance: 2m1f
Winner: €73,750
It could be a wide-open renewal as last year’s winner Blue Lord is set to miss the race, El Fabiolo takes in the Hilly Way on December 10, while Captain Guinness holds an entry for the Tingle Creek on December 9.
Distance: 2m
Winner: €59,000
Ballyburn and Down Memory Lane are battling for favouritism, although the market could change once Willie Mullins’ unbeaten prospect tackles sticks for the first time at Fairyhouse this weekend.
Distance: 3m6½f
Winner: £85,425
Monbeg Genius, third in last season’s Ultima, is the favourite for the Welsh Grand National but Jonjo O’Neill’s charge is set to test his credentials in the Coral Gold Cup this weekend.
DECEMBER 28
Distance: 2m7½f
Winner: €88,500
Teahupoo is battling for favouritism with last year’s winner Home By The Lee for a race that is a key stepping stone en route to the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle.
Distance: 2m3½f
Winner: €59,000
Gaelic Warrior was mighty impressive on debut over fences and has emerged as the odds-on favourite for Limerick’s premier race of the Christmas period.
Distance: 3m½f
Winner: €103,250
The second key test ahead of the Cheltenham Gold Cup, we could be treated to the third round of Fastorslow vs Galopin Des Champs and Martin Brassil’s emerging star is the favourite.
DECEMBER 29
Distance: 3m½f
Winner: €59,000
Klassical Dream, a multiple Grade 1 winner over sticks, got off the mark over sticks at the age of nine but his impressive chase debut makes him the market leader for this staying novice event.
Distance: 2m
Winner: €88,500
It is all about one horse and one horse only, StateMan is the odds-on favourite as last year’s winner prepares to retain his title and a lack of depth in the opposition should make this a penalty kick.
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