THERE will be a massive 22 live races shown on ITV over just three days – as racing throws up an impressive festive feast for punters.
There are multiple Grade 1s all over the shop with superstars such as Galopin Des Champs, Constitution Hill and many, many more all back in action.
ITV will do a strong job of showing as much as they can over the three days from Boxing Day, when there will be a staggering 76 races in Britain and Ireland overall.
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The first day after Christmas will have the pick of the action on the main channel with the King George and Christmas Hurdle from Kempton forming part of a six-race showing that also features the Grade 1 Formby Hurdle from Aintree.
The King George is the feature while Nicky Henderson’s stable star Constitution Hill will finally make his long-awaited comeback.
The volume kicks up a gear on the 27th with the Welsh Grand National at Chepstow the feature of an eight-race showing, again live on ITV1.
While the biggest names return on December 28 on ITV4 when the Savills Chase – the key 3m chase in Ireland – is run at Leopardstown.
Here’s a full breakdown of the Christmas racing fixture list, right up to the New Year…
BOXING DAY DECEMBER 26
KING GEORGE DAY at KEMPTON (ITV) with the big race off at 2.30. The supporting Grade 1 is the Christmas Hurdle (1.55) with Constitution Hill back in action.
There is also a big meeting at AINTREE featuring the Grade 1 Formby Novices’ Hurdle (ITV) with exciting Potters Charm set to take star billing.
In Yorkshire, WETHERBY’s Rowland Meyrick Chase is also on ITV.
In Ireland we have the start of LEOPARDSTOWN’s four-day Christmas bonanza featuring the Grade 1 Long Distance Novice Chase.
There are SEVEN other meetings at Sedgefield, Fontwell, Market Rasen, Wincanton, Wolverhampton, Limerick and Down Royal.
FRIDAY DECEMBER 27
IT’s Coral Welsh National Day with four races live on ITV at CHEPSTOW. The big one is due off at 2.50. We also have four more races on ITV from KEMPTON with the Wayward Lad Novice Chase the feature at 1.55.
It’s Day Two of LEOPARDSTOWN with two Grade 1s — the Future Champions Novice Hurdle the highlight.
There are THREE other meetings at Wetherby, Wolverhampton and Limerick.
SATURDAY DECEMBER 28
NEWBURY is live on ITV with the Grade 1 Challow Hurdle (2.55) the main dish of the day.
Paul Nicholls runs Regent’s Stroll and is going for a fifth straight win in the race.
ITV pay a rare visit to LEICESTER for two races and the two big Grade 1s from LEOPARDSTOWN — the Savills Chase and the Christmas Hurdle — will also be on ITV.
There are FOUR other cards at Catterick, Limerick, with the Grade 1 Faugheen Novices’ Chase, Newcastle and Southwell.
SUNDAY DECEMBER 29
PICK of the action in England comes over the sticks at DONCASTER.
It’s the last day of LEOPARDSTOWN featuring the Grade 1 Nevills Hotel Hurdle. There are THREE other meetings — Kelso, Southwell and Limerick.
MONDAY DECEMBER 30
THREE cards in the UK with Taunton the best meeting. There is also action at Haydock and Wolverhampton. No racing in Ireland.
TUESDAY DECEMBER 31
TWO jumps cards at Warwick and Uttoxeter plus all-weather Flat racing at Lingfield. In Ireland there is action at Punchestown.
WEDNESDAY JANUARY 1
CHELTENHAM’s New Year’s Day meeting sees four races live on ITV with the Betfair Handicap Chase (2.05) and the Relkeel Hurdle (3.15) the two best of the action.
ITV cameras are also at MUSSELBURGH for two races.
There are FIVE other cards in the UK at Fakenham, Southwell, Catterick, Exeter and Newcastle and TWO in Ireland — at Fairyhouse and Tramore.
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