Christmas Festival in Kempton

Kempton, Monday, 26 December: The traditional Christmas Festival in Kempton offers top-class steeplechase sport over two days.

In the first highlight, the Long Walk Hurdle (2nd race/13.45 h/80,000 pounds/5029 m), Champ (Jonjo O`Neill jr.) will be defending his title. The ten-year-old won the Long Distance Hurdle (Group 2) at the dress rehearsal after battling Paisley Park (Aidan Coleman), who has already pinned the game to his banners twice. Goshen (Jamie Moore) currently triumphed in the Ascot Hurdle (Group 2) and Miranda (Harry Cobden) at List level on this course.

The Christmas Hurdle (4th race/14.55pm/150,000 pounds/3218m) should not be taken away from Constitution Hill (Nico de Boinville). The five-year-old last won the Fighting Fifth Hurdle (Group 1) in superior style against Epatante (Aidan Coleman) and was also other goods in his previous triumph at Cheltenham. At best, Sceau Royal (Sam Twiston-Davies), who was an easy winner here at List level in October, could intervene in the recent duel.

The King George VI Chase (5th race/15.30pm/250,000 pounds/4828m) sees L`Homme Presse (Charlie Deutsch) as the winner. Venetia Williams` charge, victorious in a Handicap Chase in November, will be challenged by Bravemansgame (Harry Cobden), who had no rivals to fear in the Charlie Hall Chase (Group 2) and found his way back to winning ways after an interruption. Envoi Allen (Rachael Blackmore) and Hitman (Sam Twiston-Davies) are other fresh winners with chances of a place in the front pack. Frodon (Bryony Frost) won the match two years ago.