Let battle commence! Four mouthwatering clashes to feast on this festive period

A feast of racing will be served up from Thursday onwards. Here are four potentially mouthwatering clashes we've got to look forward to over the festive period . . .

Constitution Hill v Lossiemouth

It is on! Get set for a clash between the hurdling titans of Britain and Ireland after both were declared for the Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle (1.55) at Kempton on December 26.

Constitution Hill has not been seen since winning the Christmas Hurdle last year and the whole racing world is eagerly anticipating the return of Nicky Henderson's star after he missed his intended comeback in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle.

He faces a new rival in Willie Mullins' exciting mare Lossiemouth, who impressively disposed of Teahupoo in the Hatton's Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse this month. 

Sportingly, we do not have to wait until the Cheltenham Festival in March to see the opening battle in this potentially epic rivalry.

Sir Gino v Ballyburn

Another Anglo-Irish clash between the Henderson and Mullins stables is in store after these two hugely exciting prospects were entered in the Wayward Lad Novices' Chase at Kempton on December 27.

Last season's star novice hurdler Ballyburn won by 13 lengths on his chasing debut for Mullins, while Sir Gino substituted for Constitution Hill in imperious fashion when winning the Fighting Fifth Hurdle.

Henderson's precocious four-year-old has yet to be seen over fences but the trainer has repeatedly said he has been wowed by how Sir Gino has taken to them at home. Now we get to see if he can live up to that hype.

Fact To File got the better of Galopin Des Champs last monthCredit: Patrick McCann

Galopin Des Champs v Fact To File

Fury v Usyk 2? Forget it. These two (along with Spillane's Tower) served up a cracker in the John Durkan last month and the Mullins-trained pair are entered in the Savills Chase at Leopardstown on December 28.

This could be the race that decides who will be Mullins' leading light for the Cheltenham Gold Cup, with both having emerged with great credit from their Punchestown clash.

Galopin Des Champs was glorious when annihilating his rivals in last year's Savills, while the ceiling on Fact To File's potential remains high.

State Man v Brighterdaysahead

Another sizzling rematch could be on the cards in the Neville Hotels Hurdle at Leopardstown on December 29. 

State Man is out for revenge after just three-quarters of a length separated them in the Morgiana last month when they first met. It was last season's Champion Hurdle winner's first defeat in Ireland when completing a race.

Leopardstown is State Man's playground, having won this race and the Irish Champion Hurdle twice, but Brighterdaysahead is packed with so much potential. Another win for her could sway her connection more towards the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham than the Mares' Hurdle.

Read these next:

Confirmed runners and riders for the King George VI Chase at Kempton 

Champion Flat jockey Oisin Murphy to make debut over hurdles on Boxing Day  

Christmas racing guide 2024: day-by-day overview - plus ITV Racing schedule 

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