The Christmas Festival at Kempton Park is the standout offering on British soil over the festive period, with
Wetherby forms a key part of the Christmas racing schedule for fans in the northern part of Britain, with the West Yorkshire venue up and running as part of the mega Boxing Day schedule of action.
It's a seven-race offering at Wetherby on Thursday, with action from 11:52-15:20 and the Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase is the feature event as always.
Here's our guide to the action on Boxing Day with selections in the Rowland Meyrick and some of Wetherby's supporting acts.
13:35 - Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase
The Rowland Meyrick perhaps doesn't have the allure of the 1980s, when Forgive 'n Forget and The Thinker both won it in the same season they would win the Cheltenham Gold Cup, but it is still a staple of the festive season and a truly competitive three-mile contest where assured jumping is a mandatory requirement.
A field of eight are set to take the Wetherby challenge this year. Topping the racecard is MR INCREDIBLE, now in the care of Sandy Thomson after stints with Henry De Bromhead and Willie Mullins in Ireland during which he exhibited stellar talent and deeply frustrating headstrongness, often in just about equal measure.
He was unseated in the Grand National at Aintree in the spring, having started a 10/1 chance, then pulled up in the Scottish version and at Auteuil in May. He has shown himself able to go well fresh and is a very interesting contender on debut for the Lambden Farm handler.
He was second in the Midlands National at Uttoxeter off this mark in March and might be worth chancing given he's been put in as the outsider of the entire field.
Cruz Control has course-winning form for Tom Lacey over hurdles and had a nice pipe-opener over hurdles last month to get him tuned up for this. Sine Nomine for trainer for Fiona Needham has winning chase form around here and drops in grade after tackling a Listed race at Market Rasen on comeback in November.
Tahmuras had useful form as a novice last season and was set a tough challenge on his seasonal bow at Haydock last month, Paul Nicholls' runner should find his more in his wheelhouse and is a contender on his first crack at a trip that promises to suit, while the consistent Good Boy Bobby is very likely to pitch his hat into the ring for Nigel Twiston-Davies as he looks to win this race for a second time following his 2021 success. The 11-year-old would be the first dual winner of the Wetherby contest.
Selection: Mr Incredible
Next Best: Tahmuras
11:52 - Mares' Maiden Hurdle
Bellas Bridge ran well on hurdles debut at Southwell in October and is open to progress but there are some promising newcomers to this sphere in the mix. Just Call Me Lucy, who has course experience, and Parisian Fashion rank amongst them along with Kalo Athena but I AM THE MOON might then one for Nigel Twiston-Davies in his opener.
She ran well when only beaten 2½-lengths into fourth in a Ludlow bumper on second start this month and this longer trip promises to suit.
Selection: I Am The Moon
Next Best: Bellas Bridge
12:27 - Novices' Handicap Chase
Recent C&D winner Fiadh has gone up 6lb in the ratings for her trouble but remains with scope for better in this sphere.
Celestial Fashion was only just denied on her chasing bow at Hexham earlier in the month and ought to be suited by the extra distance on offer here but HAWKSEYE VIEW produced his best effort on third start over fences when finishing runner-up at Newcastle at the end of November and a replication of that might be enough now for Sue Smith's charge to open his account.
Seleciton: Hawkeye View
Next Best: Celestial Fashion
