Andy Newton’s Boxing Day ITV Racing Tips: Including King George VI Chase

After the three-day racing break for Christmas the action returns on Friday, with a bumper day ahead – so don’t miss Andy Newton’s Boxing Day ITV Racing tips and key trends – including in the ‘big one’ – the King George VI Chase at 2:30pm. 

As he’s taking on the Willie Mullins-trained runners in the King George.

Boxing Day ITV Racing Tips From Kempton, Aintree and Wetherby

The ITV Racing schedule on Boxing Day will see SIX LIVE races across Kempton, Wetherby and Aintree – as horse racing fans will be juggling family festive fun with the top action.

At Kempton, there are four ITV races that include the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase (1:20pm) and the Christmas Hurdle (1:55pm), that sees the return of Sir Gino.

But, of course, the day’s big race on Boxing Day is always the King George VI Chase (2:30pm) and this year’s we are in for a Christmas Cracker of a renewal.

Willie Mullins big guns Fact To File and Gaelic Warrior are expected to head over in what is a repeat clash of the John Durkan Memorial Chase – where Gaelic Warrior came out on top.

But both will face stern challenges from Nicky Henderson’s Jango Baie and Ben Pauling’s The Jukebox Man, who is unbeaten over fences.

To support the top Kempton card, there are also two races on ITV from Aintree (Formby Novices’ Hurdle) and Wetherby (Rowland Meyrick Chase).

See below Andy Newton’s ITV Racing horse racing tips as he gives his 1-2-3 best bets and also some key trends for each contest.

Ascot Horse Racing Tips on Boxing Day, 26th December: Jango and Jukebox To Serve It Up To Irish Big-Guns

12:45 Kempton – “Get Your Ladbrokes Free Kempton Bet” Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race) Cl3 (4yo+ 0-130) 2m4½f ITV

Trainer Nicky Henderson has a top record in this race – winning the prize six times in recent times and twice since 2015.

And he’s taken to add to that with NOBLE PARK, who heads two-from-two over fences.

These wins came at Hereford and Lingfield and he’s up another 11lbs here.

But the second Vanderpoel, who was 24 lengths back, has franked the form to win a similar race at Ascot last weekend.

Of the rest, the Joe Tizzard-trained U Can’t Be Serious also puts a two-from-two unbeaten chase record on the line and is feared most.

It’s also interesting the Harry Derham yard are pitching their mare Jasmin Bliss in at this level on her first try over fences.

If her jumping holds up, she can also get in the mix.

🥇NOBLE PARK
🥈U CAN’T BE SERIOUS 
🥉JASMIN BLISS 

KEY STATS 📈

1:20 Kempton – Ladbrokes Kauto Star Novices’ Chase (In Memory Of Nigel Clark) (Grade 1) (GBB Race) Cl1 (4yo+) 3m ITV

Salver was very impressive at Sandown earlier this month in the Esher Novices’ Chase, on what was his first try over three miles.

He’s certainly one for the short-list, but did make a few tiny jumping errors that day.

Plus the oppo here will be a lot stronger.

Willie Mullins will send over Kitzbuhel, but NOT Jimmy Du Seuil, who stays at home.

Kitzbuhel won well at Punchestown on chase debut (2m 3f) last month and the third The Enabler has since franked the form to win easily.

But is another that will need to prove himself over further.

Blueking d’Oroux hasn’t looked the most natural over fences, but is getting better with each run. You just wonder if more of a stamina test might suit.

But even though Jimmy Du Seuil is respected, the call is for WENDIGO to relish the step up to three miles..

This Jamie Snowden runner has done well over 2m4f in his two chase runs so far – staying on well each time and was impressive in seeing off No Questions Asked last time.

Regents Stroll was back in third that day and has since won to boost the form, with Crest Of Fortune, who also goes here, 9 1/2 lengths back in fourth.

🥇WENDIGO
🥈KITZBUHEL
🥉SALVER 

KEY STATS 📈

1:55 Kempton – Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race) Cl1 (4yo+) 2m ITV

Golden Ace certainly doesn’t get the credit she deserves – having won the Champion Hurdle last season and recently the Fighting Fifth Hurdle – albeit, some might say, a tad lucky each time.

She gets the mares’ allowance (7lbs) again here and on what will be her first run at Kempton and has to be one for the shake-up.

If any of the main players fail to fire, then Golden Ace can do what she does best and pick up the pieces.

Anzadam stays at home now.

While the Welsh Champion Hurdle winner Celtic Dino stepped up in that run to run the classy Woodhooh to 2 1/2 lengths at Ascot last time.

He’s on the up and could easily hit the frame.

Rubaud could also nick a place at a venue he loves, if the race falls apart.

Welcome Back Sir Gino 

But all eyes here will be on the return of SIR GINO and, let’s be honest – if he’s back to his best will be very hard to beat.

He’s around 7/2 for the Champion Hurdle as it looks like Nicky Henderson and connections are putting his chasing career on hold this season.

Sir Gino’s been off since winning over fences at this meeting last season with a serious bacterial infection in his ligaments – so we’ll have to see if this has left a mark.

Hopefully not and the fact he’s almost favourite for the Champion Hurdle, also suggests he’s been doing well on his road to recovery.

The good news for last season’s Fighting Fifth winner, is that when he picked this up he was young (still only five) – which, you feel, would have given him a better chance of coming back as good as ever.

Plus, as Hendo has pointed out – his time off hasn’t been for an injury as such, but more of an illness. So it’s been more of a case of getting him back healthy, rather than dealing with a physical injury.

He’ll head here still six-from-six in this career and I’ll take a chance on him retaining his ability and remaining unbeaten.

🥇SIR GINO
🥈GOLDEN ACE 
🥉CELTIC DINO 

KEY STATS 📈

2:30 Kempton – Ladbrokes King George VI Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race) Cl1 (4yo+) 3m ITV

Hats off to Willie Mullins and connections for giving the racing public what they want this Boxing Day.

As it looks like he’ll send over his John Durkan first and second Gaelic Warrior and Fact To File in what is a fascinating re-match.

There was only a head between them that day and it could be more of the same.

But despite Kempton being a flat track, the King George is often run at a fair old lick, so stamina and getting home is a must-have.

In short, the horses tend to go flat out for the full three miles and getting a breather in is hard.

With that in mind, I’d rather have Gaelic Warrior, who we know stays and is two-from-two over three miles, than Fact To File – who I think is better over 2m4f.

He’s been beaten the last twice when running over 3m.

But JP McManus is looking for his first King George win, having bought 2000 winner First Gold after that success.

You also worry for both the Mullins horses if their Punchestown efforts have left a mark – it was a brutal finish (see below).

Gaelic Warrior The Class Act and Could Have The Race Set Up Perfectly

But Gaelic Warrior could have the race set up nicely for him, with Il Est Francais likely to take them along.

He’s better going right-handed (which he gets here) and he’ll have last year’s winning rider Paul Townend in the plate.

But he’s also a horse that can ‘throw one in’ and this will be his first run at Kempton.

He’s on a four-timer too, but has won three on the bounce twice before and failed to take the fourth.

In short, he’s the class act and on his day will be hard to beat – but he’s also one you can’t always trust.

Of the rest.

Last year’s first and second Banbridge and Il Est Francais will have their backers, but this year’s race is miles better and the current champ will be wanting the the ground to dry out.

Of the home challenge, Djelo has done well this season to win the Charlie Hall Chase and Peterborough Chase.

But is still looking for his first Grade One Chase win.

He’ll be hoping to give Venetia Williams her first King George winner since Teeton Mill in 1998.

Jango and Jukeman To Hit The Right Notes 

So, I’d rather side with the two main British runners JANGO BAIE and THE JUKEBOX MAN.

The former landed last year’s Arkle Novices’ Chase, after coming from the clouds to get up and has returned this season to win the 1965 Chase at Ascot (2m5f) impressively.

He looks the sort that can improve again now upped to 3m. He’s also shown a willing attitude for me and with just five runs over fences should have more improvement.

We can expect Il Est Francais to go out from the front again and, if so, this could just set things up (like Banbridge last year) for a finisher.

Yes, the 1965 Chase at Ascot doesn’t have a great record of producing the King George winner – but, in it’s defence, not many have probably taken that route to Kempton.

However, Vautour won that Ascot race in 2015 and went close (head second to Cur Card) – so there is something there to cling to.

Plus the drying ground surely has to be in Jango’s favour.

Jango Baie will be hoping to give trainer Nicky Henderson a fourth King George – having won two with Long Run and his most recent with Might Bite.

The Jukebox Man landed the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase here last season and will be looking to emulate Bravemansgame and Long Run – two recent winners that went onto win the King George.

Unlike those ahead of him in the market, his track experience is a plus too and the form of his recent Graduation Chase win at Haydock has been boosted with the second Iroko winning last weekend.

Another that will love the drying ground is last year’s winner Banbridge, so at a double-figure price he could be worth a saver too.

🥇JANGO BAIE
🥈THE JUKEBOX MAN 
🥉GAELIC WARRIOR 

KEY STATS 📈

Supreme Novices’ Hurdle Clues On Show At Aintree

1:05 Aintree – William Hill Formby Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race) Cl1 (3yo+) 2m1f ITV

Some top horses have won this race over the years – including Constitution Hill in 2022 when it was the Tolworth and run at Sandown.

With Con Hill, Summerville Boy (2018) and Noland (2006) all going onto take the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

And we could get another this year as MYDADDYPADDY is propping up the betting for the Festival curtain-raiser in March.

There were some injury scares earlier in the week for this Skelton horse, but this seemed to be ‘fake news’.

With Skelts quick to put out the fire by posting then below on X.

Mydaddypaddy nearside working up the hill this morning.
He’s fine as you can see. A lot of speculation yesterday on this platform and others about his well being. Video from Dan to follow… pic.twitter.com/kCRYhv10vA

— Dan Skelton Racing (@DSkeltonRacing) December 23, 2025

Mydaddypaddy has impressed in winning both his starts over hurdles at Carlisle and Haydock, but despite clearly being useful I think the market has overacted a bit.

After all, he was sent off 1/2 and 1/5 for these races and it’s hard to know what he actually beat.

Some might pick holes in the form already. With the second in that Carlisle win Harbour Island well beaten by Act Of Innocence since.

But the third Atlantic Lad has won since to counteract that.

With Skelton also taking to X to say this.

Dan Skelton addresses the stupid Twitter account that caused the alarm bells to ring for Mydaddypaddy.

How did anyone take that seriously at all? 🤯

pic.twitter.com/y906FvIGdi

— Stephen R Power (@racingblogger) December 23, 2025

Mydaddypaddy Has Impressed With His Jumping

That said, Mydaddypaddy seems to be a very slick jumper and will head here three-from-three in his career – he looks a very exciting prospect.

Nicky Henderson WON’T be running Act Of Innocence – with an easier looking race at Newbury in mind for one of this Supreme fancies.

Therefore, despite the injury scare (hopefully fake news) Paddy is taken to carry on his progression, with Harry Skelton also heading here to ride.

Of the rest, Idaho Sun was 6th in the Champion Bumper last season at the Festival and has translated that form to hurdles – winning both starts with a fair bit in-hand.

While the Chris Gordon runner Diamond Hunter has done little wrong in winning his last two – including a Grade Two Novices’ Hurdle at Haydock last time out.

🥇MYDADDYPADDY
🥈IDAHO SUN
🥉DIAMOND HUNTER 

KEY STATS 📈

Wetherby Horse Racing Tips: Konfusion To Keep It Simple In Rowland Meyrick Chase

1:35 Wetherby – William Hill Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) Cl1 (4yo+) 3m ITV

Paul Nicholls’ only win in this race came in 2008 with Nozic, but has a top chance of adding to that with Knappers Hill.

He returned from a long time off to run well for a long way behind The Jukebox Man at Haydock last time.

Marble Sands was a nice winner at Cheltenham last time. Is up 5lbs, but 3lbs of that is offset with Nick Slatter’s claim.

While former Coral Trophy Chase winner Our Power hasn’t won since taking that race in 2023. But is starting to look well-handicapped for the in-form Sam Thomas yard.

But the call is for KONFUSION to carry on his upward curve. After impressing in the Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle last month.

That horse has been boosted with the third Docpickedme winning since and even though he’s up 10lbs still only gets in with 10st 8lbs to carry.

This Joel Parkinson and Sue Smith runner is also two-from-two here at Wetherby.

So is taken to carry on his love affair with the West Yorkshire venue.

🥇KONFUSION
🥈MARBLE SANDS 
🥉KNAPPERS HILL 

KEY STATS 📈