What's on this week: Kempton's King George meeting signals beginning of Grade 1 fever in Britain and Ireland

Monday

There may be no racing in Britain and Ireland as the lead up to Christmas continues, but Deauville hosts an eight-race card on the Polytrack.

Away from the track, declarations for a superb Boxing Day schedule featuring the King George VI and Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle at Kempton will be revealed.

From 6pm, Racing Post Members' Club subscribers will also be able to get their teeth into a mini-festive stable tour featuring some of Nicky Henderson’s squad.

Introducing the Racing Post Festive Feast

Tuesday

A Listed race headlines the action from the French Riviera at Cagnes-sur-Mer on Christmas Eve as action in Britain and Ireland once again takes a break.

However, Racing Post readers can start studying the form before the Boxing Day bonanza, with all the final fields set to feature in that day's paper.

Wednesday

Racing again takes a pause to celebrate Christmas Day ahead of a huge festive period of top-class jumps action.

Racing Post readers will be able to look through our bumper tipping and preview package before a stacked day of racing on Thursday.

Thursday

The countdown to one of the biggest and best days of the year is over as Boxing Day showcases 11 meetings across Britain and Ireland.

Kempton is the obvious starting point, with the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase (2.30) the headline act. Last season’s Cheltenham Festival winner Grey Dawning leads the home challenge for Dan Skelton, while the supplemented Spillane's Tower holds leading claims after finishing second in the John Durkan at Punchestown last time. Last year’s runaway Kauto Star Novices' Chase winner Il Est Francais and Bravemansgame also feature.

Constitution Hill: on course to make his long-awaited return at Kempton on Boxing DayCredit: Alan Crowhurst (racingpost.com/photos)

The Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle (1.55) provides the perfect appetiser to the main event, with all eyes on Constitution Hill to see if Nicky Henderson’s stable star can overcome Lossiemouth and maintain his 100 per cent record. It is scheduled to be his first start since winning this race last year. Before that, The Jukebox Man goes in search of top-level success in the Grade 1 Kauto Star Novices' Chase (1.20).

There is also Grade 1 action at Aintree where the William Hill Formby Novices' Hurdle (1.05) takes centre stage. Potters Charm heads the market in a competitive race that could also include Grade 2 winner Roadlesstravelled.

The Grade 1 Racing Post Long Distance Novice Chase (2.20) is the standout race at Leopardstown as Willie Mullins bids for a third successive victory. The champion trainer could be represented by top-level winner Impaire Et Passe, High Class Hero and Quai De Bourbon. Croke Park, Better Days Ahead and Stellar Story are potenital top-class opposition.

Elsewhere, the William Hill Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase (1.35) at Wetherby features in the ITV Racing coverage. Mr Incredible, formerly trained by Mullins but now with Sandy Thomson, could feature.

The Lincolnshire National (1.47) is the standout event on Market Rasen’s seven-race card, while there is a competitive Grade 2 novice hurdle over 2m7f (1.33) on Limerick’s fixture.

Elsewhere, there is also action from Down Royal, Sedgefield, Fontwell, Wincanton and Wolverhampton. Further afield, Frankie Dettori has three Grade 1 rides on Santa Anita’s card in California.

Away from the track, declarations for day two of the Ladbrokes Christmas festival at Kempton will be revealed at 10am, as will those for Chepstow’s Welsh Grand National meeting, the Irish action at Leopardstown and Limerick, and Newbury’s Grade 1 Challow Novices' Hurdle card on Saturday.

Friday

It is Chepstow’s big day as the Welsh Grand National (2.50) is the main event. Iwilldoit, who won the race in 2021 and finished third last year, is one of two chances for Sam Thomas, while Dan Skelton is responsible for the well-fancied Galia Des Liteaux. The Grade 2 Finale Juvenile Hurdle (1.40) is the perfect winter warmer and James Owen is out to complete a four-timer with Opec.

Arkle winner Gaelic Warrior set to feature for Willie Mullins this weekCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Day two of Leopardstown’s Christmas festival sees two Grade 1s on the seven-race card. Arkle hero Gaelic Warrior heads the betting in the Paddy's Rewards Club Chase (1.10) as Willie Mullins seeks a third successive victory in the race. Found A Fifty, Marine Nationale and Dinoblue add extra quality to the race. Runaway Tipperary winner Salvator Mundi could provide Mullins with more glory in the following Future Champions Novice Hurdle (1.45).

Fighting Fifth hero Sir Gino and the high-class Ballyburn could provide one of the clashes of the season in the Grade 2 Wayward Lad Novices' Chase (1.55) at Kempton. The following Grade 2 Desert Orchid Handicap Chase (2.30) also brings more excitement to a stacked card as Edwardstone could take on Boothill and six-timer-seeking Martator.

There is also action at Limerick, Wetherby and Wolverhampton.

Saturday

The barrage of Grade 1 action continues as Newbury stages the Challow Novices' Hurdle (2.55). The race has provided a number of stars down the years and will once again be a competitive affair. Paul Nicholls has won it in each of the last four years and will likely be represented again. Expensive purchase Regent’s Stroll is expected to take his chance for the Ditcheat team.

Galopin Des Champs was simply unstoppable in last year's Savills ChaseCredit: Patrick McCann

In Ireland, Home By The Lee and Bob Olinger could clash in the Grade 1 Savills Hurdle (2.00) at Leopardstown. The top-level race provides the warm-up to a hotly contested Grade 1 Savills Chase (2.35), with Fact To File and Galopin Des Champs set to renew their rivalry again. Last year’s runner-up Gerri Colombe and I Am Maximus could add some firepower to the line-up.

The Grade 1 Faugheen Novice Chase (1.40) headlines the action at Limerick. Gordon Elliott, Willie Mullins and Henry de Bromhead could all be well stocked in the race.

Elsewhere, there is racing at Leicester, Catterick, Newcastle and Southwell.

Sunday

The Listed Silver Vase Mares’ Chase (1.38) is the main event on Doncaster’s seven-race card, while punters can also enjoy afternoon action from Southwell and Kelso.

In Ireland, the fixture at Leopardstown is headlined by the Grade 1 Neville Hotels Hurdle (2.30), in which reigning champion hurdler State Man will bid for a hat-trick. A Grade 3 and Listed race also takes place, while there is a Listed contest on Limerick’s card.

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