The Christmas Festival at Kempton Park is the standout offering on British soil over the festive period, with the Boxing Day card at the Sunbury-on-Thames venue a clear standout.
There is a traditional New Year's Day treat from Cheltenham to savour on Wednesday as racing in 2025 begins with a bang.
The Grade 2 Relkeel Hurdle is the feature event on a seven-race card and we've got a tip in the big race and a couple of the supporting contests at the home of jump racing.
3.15 - Relkeel Hurdle
A field of seven have been declared for this Grade 2 prize. Thunder Rock, Twig and Langer Dan all have something to prove after poor runs last time, while the likeable Gowel Road should run well again but may find the grade slightly too high.
The three of most interest are Salver, Lucky Place and GOLDEN ACE.
Salver was third in the Triumph Hurdle in March and finished fourth in the Gerry Fielden on his return at Newbury. He has scope for further improvement and isn't overlooked lightly.
Lucky Place won the Ascot Hurdle in November, when Nicky Henderson's entry had almost two lengths to spare on the reopposing Golden Ace, who was third in that Grade 2.
However, there is a chance that Jeremy Scott's mare could turn the form around. Golden Ace is 2-2 at Cheltenham, winning the Mares' Novices' Hurdle at the Festival before scoring over this trip in April.
She beat Brighterdaysahead at the Festival in March and remains the only horse to beat Gordon Elliott-trained mare, who won a Leopardstown Grade 1 on Sunday by a whopping 30 lengths.
Golden Ace travelled as well as anything at Ascot last month but tired late on. She should be sharper for the run, though, and a return to Cheltenham as well as a 6lb pull in the weights with Lucky Place gives her an excellent chance.
SELECTION: GOLDEN ACE
NEXT BEST: GOWEL ROAD
1.30 – Betfair Handicap Chase
Broadway Boy finished a gallant second behind Kandoo Kid in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury last time out and Nigel Twiston-Davies's gelding looks set to play a leading role off only a 2lb higher mark.
He has Cheltenham form figures of 12113 and has to be respected at his favoured track.
However, he has the unenviable task of conceding 9lbs to OUR POWER.
After a year off the track, Sam Thomas's gelding finished a highly respectable second to the progressive King Turgeon in a strong handicap over 3m2f at Cheltenham's December meeting. That run puts him bang in the mix to go one better on New Year's Day.
Veterans Chantry House and Cloudy Glen have plenty on their plates while Bowtogreatness may come up shy.
SELECTION: OUR POWER
NEXT BEST: BROADWAY BOY
2.05 - Betfair Exchange Handicap Chase
December Gold Cup winner Gemirande must contend with a 8lb hike in the handicap as he bids for a swift Cheltenham double at 2.05.
He and top-weight Hitman aren't dismissed in a competitive handicap heat while Colonel Harry and Lisnamult Lad also have a chance.
The most appealing runner, however, is SPRINGWELL BAY for the father-and-son training team of Jonjo and AJ O'Neill.
The novice, who will be ridden by Jonjo's other son, Jonjo Jr, looks to have plenty going for him on his handicap bow over fences.
He won well at Chepstow (2m3½f, good) on his chasing debut in October and perhaps didn't quite see out three miles when third behind Hyland at Cheltenham the following month.
Springwell Bay was back at HQ last month and finished runner-up to the hugely impressive Jango Baie.
Giving 8lbs to Nicky Henderson's classy winner was always going to be a tall order, but he acquitted himself well and a handicap mark of 145 doesn't look too onerous.
SELECTION: SPRINGWELL BAY
NEXT BEST: GEMIRANDE
