One of the biggest days for sport, Boxing Day betting tips are of interest to punters as Christmas comes just once a year. There are graded races at Kempton, Leopardstown, Limerick and Wetherby on this mega day of horse racing. See who our experts fancy!>
Kempton Boxing Day betting tips – Real Steel each-way value
In the feature Grade 1 King George VI Chase over 3m at Kempton (15:00), Real Steel has gone under the radar. He looks a great each-way value play against highly-regarded stable companions Clan Des Obeaux and Cyrname. One of four entered in the race for trainer Paul Nicholls, this Irish import ran well over an inadequate trip on his stable debut.
That was in the 1965 Chase at Ascot behind Ryanair Chase favourite Imperial Aura. Real Steel should appreciate the step up in trip after going really well in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. He was sixth that day and didn’t get up the famous hill, so an easy 3m at Kempton should suit.
Daryl Jacob links up with old boss Nicholls once again here. That is an eye-catching jockey booking for Real Steel with the yard’s other riders on the market principals. He may just surprise a few and run into a place at 16/1 with Unibet for a stable with a phenomenal record in the race.
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Floressa overpriced for Christmas Hurdle
The Grade 1 Christmas Hurdle over 2m (14:25) is all about last year’s winner Epatante. However, there is no value on odds of 2/5, so Nicky Henderson stable companion Floressa looks worth chancing each-way. There are just five runners here, but this mare is open to further progress like the favourite.
Floressa emulated Epatante in winning the Listed Gerry Feilden at Newbury’s Winter Carnival en route to this. She should have more improvement in her than older geldings Diego Du Charmil and Ballyandy. Epatante’s main market Silver Streak runs for the third time in a month here too.
It is almost a process of elimination for punters. Our 2020 Boxing Day betting tips suggest either backing Floressa each-way at the 16/1 with 888Sport, or putting her in a Henderson stable forecast with Epatante. A 1-2 for the yard could well be on the cards here.
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Mullins fancied for double in first two at Leopardstown
Willie Mullins always has his yard in form at this time of year, so two of his novice hurdlers in the first couple of races at Leopardstown appeal as a double. Micro Manage is an interesting Flat recruit to hurdling who placed in a Grade 3 on his penultimate start and now tackles timber in the four-year-old maiden hurdle (12:00).
Prior to that, he won two of his fist three outings. Micro Manage was far from disgraced when seventh in the Irish St Leger too. He finished behind an Ebor winner in Fujaira Prince, a subsequent Melbourne Cup hero in Twilight Payment and the 2019 Irish Derby scorer Sovereign. It makes Micro Manage fascinating on his hurdles bow.
The second leg of the Mullins double is El Barra in the other 2m maiden hurdle on the card (12:30). This six-year-old belied a 914-day absence following his second in an Irish point behind Fury Road to win a Thurles bumper. He won going so easily that day and connections now switch El Barra to hurdles where he bids to follow-up. The double is 8/11 and 5/4 with Bet365
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Snow Leopardess worth Wetherby wager in Rowland Meyrick
Up at Wetherby in West Yorkshire is the 3m Grade 3 Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase (14:05) where Snow Leopardess gets in off bottom weight. She looks another each-way play this Boxing Day with William Hill going a standout 7/1 about her chances.
Trained by Charlie Longsdon, this eight-year-old mare chased home Shan Blue over course and distance on her penultimate start. That one is favourite for the Grade 1 Kauto Star Novices’ Chase at Kempton. Snow Leopardess went one better last time out when getting up in the final strides to land an open handicap at Haydock.
Those fences on Merseyside are stiff, but she showed great stamina for a first win in this sphere. Although hit with a 9lb hike from the handicapper, Snow Leopardess is still open to tons of improvement after just three chase outings. Ryan Mania now takes the ride, and his mount makes most appeal.
Lots to Like about McManus double at Limerick
Leading Irish owner JP McManus is bound to have a few winners over the festive period, so it’s inevitable that he features in our Boxing Day betting tips. Two of his in particular are of interest at Limerick, with Palm Beach fancied in the juvenile hurdle which opens the card (12:15).
Trained by Joseph O’Brien, this Listowel Flat maiden winner was runner-up over course and distance on his hurdles debut. Palm Beach conceded race experience to the winner, Crassus, and should have learned plenty for that outing over timber.
Shadow Rider, meanwhile, is an Irish point winner who brings good form into the 2m 4f maiden hurdle later on (13:22). Yet another in the care of Mullins, this six-year-old was a fine third to Ashdale Bob at Navan on his bow over the smaller obstacles last time out.
The winner has since followed-up in an ultra-competitive renewal of the Grade 2 Navan Novice Hurdle. That distance form commands respect because the runner-up, Wide Receiver, previously placed in a Grade 3.
Clondaw Secret can follow-up
Also at Limerick in the 2m 4f Signplus Hurdle (12:47), Clondaw Secret should follow-up on a fine debut win over the smaller obstacles. Prior to join Gordon Elliott, this five-year-old landed an Irish point which has thrown up plenty of subsequent winners.
Champagne Gold, Dunboyne and Minella Escape have all looked useful recruits to National Hunt after finishing in-behind Clondaw Secret. This is only a five-runner-affair, and he comes into it with tons of scope for further improement.
As his four rivals lack the same potential for progress, this looks a nice opportunity for Clondaw Secret to go in again. You can back him at 15/8 with Betfair to land the spoils.
