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December 3, 2024
Johnstone lights up for Christmas
December 3, 2024
As we enter the festive season, the National Hunt racing calendar is ramped up a notch. With the first couple of Grade 1s of the campaign taking place in November, punters are raring to go, and the top-level races will come thick and fast between now and the Cheltenham Festival in March—presenting ample opportunities in the horse racing odds.
These elite contests could also provide us with plenty of pointers for the big spring festivals, with horses laying down their markers ahead of Cheltenham and the Grand National Meeting at Aintree. That said, read on as we asses some of the big Grade 1 races on the agenda in the coming weeks and months.
Long Walk Hurdle – Ascot
The feature race on Christmas Racing Weekend, Ascot’s final meeting of the year, is the prestigious Long Walk Hurdle, which is contested over a testing three miles and half a furlong.
Crambo edged out veteran Paisley Park in a thrilling finish to last year’s renewal, and top Irish trainer Gordon Elliott has stated that he intends to send The Wallpark over for the 2024 edition.
Christmas Hurdle – Kempton
Kempton Park racecourse hosts its traditional Christmas Festival on 26-27 December, with three Grade 1s taking place on Boxing Day.
The Christmas Hurdle is a popular contest for Britain and Ireland’s top two milers, with National Hunt’s superstar Constitution Hill seeking a hat-trick in this year’s race.
King George VI Chase – Kempton
Following on from the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase and the Christmas Hurdle, the King George is arguably the best of the rest after the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Grand National.
Raced over roughly three miles, the top chasers converge at Kempton before a potential tilt at the Gold Cup. This year’s ante-post favourite is Gaelic Warrior for dual-winning trainer Willie Mullins.
Clarence House Chase – Ascot
Skipping over the Formby Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree and the Challow Novices’ Hurdle at Newbury over the busy festive period, we jump ahead to the Clarence House Chase back at Ascot.
The contest is a regular target for elite two-mile chasers who have their sights set on the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham. Its roll of honour includes legendary names like Altior and Sprinter Sacre.
Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase – Sandown
The penultimate Grade 1 before the Cheltenham Festival is the Virgin Bet Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase at Sandown, which is pencilled in for February 1 this season.
Raced over roughly two miles and four furlongs, the Scilly Isles is an informative contest ahead of the novice chases at Cheltenham. Last season’s Gold Cup second, Gerri Colombe is one of the standout winners in recent years.
Ascot Chase – Ascot
The iconic Berkshire racecourse plays a leading role in the build-up to Cheltenham, with the Ascot Chase the third Grade 1 at the track and the final top-level race before the Festival.
Ran over two miles and five furlongs, 14-time Champion Trainer Paul Nicholls has a fantastic record in this race with five victories since 2000—including with Pic D’Orhy last year.
