Matt Chapman’s Boxing Day ITV Racing Picks

Matt Chapman’s ITV Racing Tips

12:45 Kempton – Es Perfecto
13:05 Aintree – Kamsinas
13:20 Kempton – Il Est Francais
13:35 Wetherby – Does He Know
13:55 Kempton – Constitution Hill / Sceau Royal
14:30 Kempton – Bravemansgame

*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.

Here’s hoping you had a Yeeehaaa of a Christmas! ITV Boxing Day gets under way here with a limited novices’ handicap chase over an extended 2m4f. ES PERFECTO should go close here for Gavin Sheehan and Alan King. The selections was rated 134 over hurdles when landing a big field novice event at Cheltenham but then missed a season. He returned chasing this year and in three runs has gone from 129 to 123, having been dropped 1lb for a distant second to classy Ginny’s Destiny at Cheltenham. That horse has run well since and this is a decent opportunity of a fair weight.

ITV Also cover one race at Aintree on Boxing Day starting with this Grade 1 Tolworth Hurdle over an extended 2m, although it’s not called that any more – but it’s the race most of you know from Sandown! An open affair. KAMSINAS has done little wrong for Paddy Brennan and Feral O’Brien and has a huge eachway chance. My hope was a classy winner at Haydock last time and lost a shoe when beaten at Cheltenham the time before. He looks good.

A cracking Grade 1 in the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase over 3m. If IL EST FRANCAIS can reproduce his French form over British-type obstacles then I’d imagine he will be too classy for Hermes Allen and Giovinco. Not all French imports take to our fences, but the selection is a class act over the channel and looks an absolute machine. This trip should be no issue although he does have stamina to prove. James Reveley rides for Noel George and Amanda Zetterholm.

ITV also show on race from Wetherby in this Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase over 3m. DOES HE KNOW might be hard to peg back here for David Bass and Kim Bailey. The eight-year-old is lightly raced but at the end of 2022 was in great form landing a staying handicap chase at Cheltenham in style from Eva’s Oskar. He can race from the front or off the gallop and might have more to give this term.

Another Grade 1 here albeit with a long odds on shot in the Christmas Hurdle over 2m. Jumps racing’s star performer CONSTITUTION HILL is the main attraction and should bolt up for Nicky Henderson and Nico de Boinville on a delayed comeback. Last year’s winner and this year’s Champion Hurdle hero is miles too good for this lot and I’ll chance the old boy Sceau Royal to take second although Rubaud is much more likely on recent form! Check out all the Paddy Power specials on win distances and Cheltenham doubles if you fancy being a little more exotic.

The feature race of the day in the Grade 1 King George VI Chase over 3m. BRAVEMANSGAME has never need my favourite horse but this is his track and trip and everything is set for him to have a huge chance of defending his crown. Basically we know this is where he does his best racing, and even when he’s not quite as good as here he’s a high class horse as when chasing home Galopin des Champs in the Gold Cup in March.

Two defeats this season have been disappointing, but he should have won at Wetherby and Haydock was very testing. I expect him to score for Paul Nicholls and Harry Cobden even though a peak form Allaho or Shishkin would be huge dangers.

So best of luck and pray for Yeeehaaas. You hear me Paddy?

Matt Chapman’s Horse Racing Tips

12:45 Kempton – Es Perfecto
13:05 Aintree – Kamsinas
13:20 Kempton – Il Est Francais
13:35 Wetherby – Does He Know
13:55 Kempton – Constitution Hill / Sceau Royal
14:30 Kempton – Bravemansgame

*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.

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