Rest of Kempton

The remaining races at Kempton are also extremely interesting, with pride of place going to the Grade One Christmas Hurdle at 15.05 CET. Nicky Henderson has the best line on the top hurdlers and saddles two here, with stable jockey Barry Geraghty partnering Punjabi and "Choc" Thornton on Afsoun. Paul Nicholls and Ruby Walsh oppose wth Pierrot Lunaire, who fell last time out, but is still very highly regarded, while Straw Bear (Nick Gifford/ Tony McCoy) won this race a year ago (but against weaker opposition). However our preference is for another previous winner, the Irish-trained Harchibald (Noel Meade/ Paul Carberry), who can be brilliant on his day and appears to have everything in his favour now. The Nicholls/ Henderson duel extends throughout the day, and in the opening novice hurdle at 13.55 their runners Font (Walsh) and German-bred Fairyland (Geraghty) can dominate, as can Breedsbreeze (Walsh) and The Market Man (Geraghty) in the Grade One novice chase over 3 miles a t 14.30; however do not overlook French challenger Millenium Royal (Christophe Pieux) here, as his trainer Francois Doiumen has a great record at this meeting.