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.
Thursday's action is headlined by the King George VI Chase, which looks wide open, but there's also a tantalising clash between Lossiemouth and Constitution Hill in the Christmas Hurdle.
On Friday, the Wayward Lad Novices' Chase and the Desert Orchid Handicap Chase headline.
Here's our look ahead of Kempton's marquee jumps offering over Christmas with selections for some of the key races.
Thursday December 26th
14:30 - King George VI Chase (Grade 1, 3m)
The biggest numerical turnout in 15 years, with four UK-based runners, four from Ireland and three from France giving an international flavour to the King George.
Il Est Francais was a blistering winner of the C&D novice race on this card a year ago and has been targeting this return to England ever since. He's a leading contender for Noel George and Amanda Zetterholm – who also run General En Chef – but he was pulled up in his final prep run, which is a worry. His keen-going style in front may also suit some of those in behind.
Corbetts Cross may find the trip sharp enough around here, while 2022 winner Bravemansgame has plenty to prove at the moment and was beaten by The Real Whacker on his seasonal return before finishing third in the Betfair Chase at Haydock.
L'Homme Presse was booked for second behind him two years ago and has had setbacks since, but his record of 4-4 when coming back from a break makes the Venetia Williams inmate interesting. Along with Envoi Allen, he has tried and failed to win this before and that counts against them.
Spillane's Tower was a dual Grade 1-winning novice last season including at this trip and Jimmy Mangan's charge ran a blinder when second in the John Durkan on his seasonal comeback last month. That's probably the best chase run in Britain or Ireland yet this season. He was supplemented into this race and is a major contender with Mark Walsh on board.
Another second-season chaser of real note is Grey Dawning, who took the silver medal in last month's Betfair Chase. Dan Skelton's charge moved like the best horse there but a tired jump at the last in very testing ground cost him. He could be all the better for the run and is very high on the list.
BANBRIDGE just edges the verdict, however, as Joseph O'Brien's challenger has looked tailor-made for this race ever since winning a Grade 2 here in January. He mixes with top two-milers and does have to prove his stamina, but this race and this track lend well to a horse with something to prove at the trip, and the fact that Paul Townend has been secured is a key factor.
Selection: Banbridge
Next Best: Grey Dawning
13:55 - Christmas Hurdle (Grade 1, 2m)
The preceding Christmas Hurdle doesn't match up numerically but, perhaps, will be the most eagerly anticipated contest of the season nonetheless.
Four runners are going into battle, and CONSTITUTION HILL is among them. Nicky Henderson's unbeaten superstar hasn't raced since winning this for a second time last season. His setbacks have been of the minor variety, we are told, but it has been hugely frustrating for jumps fans not to see him.
He takes on Lossiemouth, the Willie Mullins-trained mare that has taken over as favourite for the Champion Hurdle after beating Stayers' champ Teahupoo to win the Hatton's Grace at Fairyhouse.
The five-year-old mare is supremely talented, of that there can be little doubt but if the Seven Barrows jet is even with 6lb or 7lb of his best, she's going to be taken to the woodshed like never before in a race.
No trainer is more adept at nursing a star back to their best. Whatever has prevented Constitution Hill from running in 366 days, you can rest assured that if Henderson is going to run here, it has been overcome. Racing needs a shining light, and this seven-year-old can still do it if he remains in full command of his ability.
The exciting and progressive Burdett Road won the Greatwood at Cheltenham last month and should be best placed to take advantage if anything goes wrong with the big duo ahead of Lump Sum.
Selection: Constitution Hill
Next Best: Lossiemouth
13:20 - Kauto Star Novices' Chase (In Memory Of Nigel Clark) (Grade 1, 3m)
Five contenders for the Grade 1 novice chase and The Jukebox Man seems likely to start favourite for Ben Pauling. He was second in the leading novice hurdles over this trip last season at Cheltenham and Aintree and made a winning start over fences at Newbury (2m4f, good to soft) last month in the John Francome Novices' Chase when defeating the re-opposing Masaccio into second spot.
He has scope for more now that he is upped in trip and is a major contender, while he should uphold form with Alan King's charge.
White Rhino is 2-2 over fences after wins at Ayr and Haydock and promises more going up in trip, while Welcom To Cartries will have to take a step forward if Paul Nicholls is to land this festive Grade 1.
HYLAND is 3-4 over fences for Nicky Henderson and Nico de Boinville, and he has had a couple of successes at Cheltenham in recent months advertising his progressive nature. He only had a half-length to spare last time but was always in control and the beaten horses in second and third have done the form little harm with their subsequent efforts.
He'll need this to be a proper stamina test to prevail, but the five are closely matched and it doesn't seem likely to be too tactical.
Selection: Hyland
Next Best: The Jukebox Man
Friday December 27th
13:55 - Wayward Lad Novices' Chase (Grade 2, 2m)
The day two feature at Kempton is very much Henderson vs Mullins II as SIR GINO and Ballyburn draw swords in a hugely exciting novice chase over two miles.
Sir Gino stepped up to win the Fighting Fifth in fine style last month, deputising for Constitution Hill in fine style. That was such a good display, but all dispatches from Seven Barrows, both before and since, have indicated he'd been absolutely sparkling in his fencing practice.
He'll need to show it on track with Ballyburn coming over from Ireland. He did the job nicely on his fencing bow at Punchestown in November, though it was over 2m3f. His only defeat so far came at this trip, and if Sir Gino is as fast and agile over a fence as he is a hurdle, then that might tilt the balance in his favour, especially around Kempton.
It's a fascinating showdown, another festive treat…
Selection: Sir Gino
Next Best: Ballyburn
