'The 7-4 available is massive' - your Christmas racing questions answered

Il Est Francais – banker or blowout for the King George?
Roy Hall

Joe: Blowout. He's failed to live up to the hype since his demolition job in the Kauto Star over course and distance last year and I couldn't entertain backing him at 7-2 for this. I'm a fan of Grey Dawning, but there must be a question mark over whether his gruelling run in the Betfair Chase just over a month ago has left its mark, while he'd also prefer slightly softer ground. L'Homme Presse is another who would appreciate some cut, but he's four from four after absences of 200 days or more and was still leading deep into the Cheltenham Gold Cup before his stamina gave way over the 3m2½f trip. I can see him outrunning his odds.

L'Homme Presse: does he represent the value in the King George market?Credit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Harry: Il Est Francais lit up Boxing Day 12 months ago with a devastating victory in the Kauto Star, but he’s proved really disappointing in two of his last three starts and just can’t be trusted in a race as competitive as this. I’ll be with Banbridge, who strikes me as having that perfect blend of speed and stamina required to win a King George and arrives at Kempton after a fine effort in the Hilly Way Chase. He could have untapped potential at this trip and should get the quicker ground he’s after.

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Who do you fancy for the Welsh Grand National?
Russell Collins

Joe: Galia Des Liteaux ran better than the bare form when seventh in last month's Coral Gold Cup on ground quicker than ideal. She will appreciate conditions at Chepstow on Friday and was beaten only three-quarters of a length off her current mark of 142 in the Classic Chase at Warwick earlier this year. She's 11-2 and looks sure to be in the mix at the business end.

Harry: I thought Galia Des Liteaux ran a cracker on her reappearance in a 2m4f Listed race at Carlisle last month, considering she's better going left-handed, the trip was short of her best and the ground was quick enough. She again found the ground too lively when midfield in the Coral Gold Cup last time, but a 2lb drop for that effort leaves her on the same mark as when finishing second in the Classic Chase at Warwick in January behind My Silver Lining. This looks to have been her target and with the longer distance and likely softer ground sure to suit her well, she should be up to this test.

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Merry Christmas guys, can you give me a handicapper to back?
Daniel Phillips

Joe: I'm declaring Vision De Maine my Boxing Day banker! David Pipe's five-year-old has been a big improver over fences this season, winning his first two starts at Uttoxeter and Lingfield before a close second when bidding for the hat-trick last time. The winner that day, Aworkinprogress, has followed up since and the front two pulled well clear of the remainder, so a 6lb rise shouldn't halt his progress. He runs in the 3m1f handicap chase at Wincanton (2.03) and should take all the beating.

Harry: It's over to Ireland for Hgranca De Thaix in the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown. He looked in need of the run when reappearing in a 2m6f handicap hurdle at Galway in October, so is sure to step forward from it, and this sound jumper should have plenty more to offer now going up in trip back over fences. He improved for stepping up in trip last term, winning a Listed handicap by four lengths, and shapes as if three miles is worth a go.

Hi Punting Club, have you got any outsiders to consider for the Christmas racing?
Nathan Briggs

Joe: The 3m handicap chase at Kempton on Friday (3.08) looks a good opportunity for Young Buster to return to winning ways. The eight-year-old made a promising seasonal reappearance at Kelso last month – when the 3m2f trip appeared to stretch his stamina – and this prominent racer looks tailor-made for Kempton. At Aintree on Boxing Day, Miami Magic is among the outsiders for the feature Formby Novices' Hurdle but has impressed with wide-margin wins at Fakenham and Kempton this season. Stuart Edmunds' five-year-old has course experience having finished runner-up in a bumper at Aintree in May and while his last race looked weak on paper it has since received form boosts.

Miami Magic: steps up to Grade 1 level in the Formby Novices' HurdleCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Harry: Red Dirt Road had a good blowout at Carlisle after a long time off the track three weeks ago and has an obvious chance stepping back up trip at Aintree. He looked sure to be suited by staying distances when finishing strongly over 2m5f at Warwick in May last year, but 2m4f should be fine on this galloping track and he races off 2lb lower here. The other would be Royale Margaux at Kempton. She hasn’t won in Britain, but she’s run fantastic races the last two times and 3m round a track like Kempton should be right up her street.

Will Galopin Des Champs enact his revenge on Fact To File in the Savills Chase?
Lewis Smith

Joe: Yes. Galopin Des Champs was only two and three-quarter lengths behind Fact To File in the John Durkan and now returns to his beloved Leopardstown, where he is a perfect five from five over fences. He produced a mighty RPR of 184 when bolting up by 23 lengths in this race last year and if he runs anywhere close to that level on Saturday he's going to be impossible to stop. The 7-4 available is massive.

Harry: It truly is a mouthwatering clash. Galopin Des Champs was much better in the John Durkan last month than he was in that same race 12 months ago and is unbeaten in chases at Leopardstown, including emphatically seeing off Gerri Colombe in the Savills last year, so you know he's going to be at concert pitch for this. Having said that, I was really impressed with how Fact To File dug in after the last in the John Durkan on just his fifth chase start and there is every chance he can continue the necessary progress needed to take this now going back up in trip. I won't be backing him at his current odds, but I think he wins.

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