Joe’s best horse racing betting tips for Kempton Christmas Festival Friday

The wait is finally over! Kempton’s Boxing Day racing is a cornerstone of the festival National Hunt season, headlined by the iconic King George VI Chase at Kempton Park.

This historic meeting consistently delivers top-class jump racing, attracting the best staying chasers in training and generating huge interest from punters seeking standout performances and strong betting opportunities on one of the busiest days in the racing calendar.

For bettors, Kempton on Boxing Day is all about weighing up proven Grade 1 performers against the next wave of talent, with the form lines often shaping the rest of the season.

Whether you’re searching for Boxing Day horse racing tips, assessing the King George VI Chase odds, or looking for solid Kempton race predictions, the depth of quality across the cards ensures there’s no shortage of angles to explore.

Top Christmas Festival Kempton offer

Christmas Festival Kempton (Friday) tips

• 12.45 Noble Park – 5/2 with Paddy Power
• 1.20 Wendigo – 11/4 with bet365 NEXT BEST
• 1.55 Sir Gino – 8/11 with Midnite
• 2.30 Gaelic Warrior – 11/4 with Betfred NAP
• 3.05 Ionian – 7/2 with bet365
• 3.40 Onewaywest – 3/1 with bet365

*odds provided are correct at the time of writing and are subject to change.

Joe’s best horse racing betting tips for Kempton Christmas Festival on Friday (19th December)

Find my top tips for today’s racing with odds from the best horse racing bookies below:

12.45 ‘Get Your Ladbrokes Free Kempton Bet’ Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (Class 3) 2m4f110y

Some days racing ahead! It could be a good start for Nicky Henderson with the likeable NOBLE PARK. This horse has come into his own since sent over fences winning on chase debut at Hereford and then following up impressively at Lingfield.

He beat Vanderpoel by 24 lengths and that horse has since won so the form has already been franked. He has more to come and is worth keeping on side.

U Cant Be Serious is also 2-2 over fences and left the impression he has more to offer beating Donnacha at Exeter. He could improve and give the selection most to think about.

Of the rest Barlovento was only beaten half a length by the latter on debut over fences so could improve and get involved too with Sean Bowen in the saddle.

 Bet on NOBLE PARK to win at 5/2 with Paddy Power 

1.20 Ladbrokes Kauto Star Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) 3m

• 9 of the last 12 winners were aged either 6 or 7
• 8 of the last 12 winners were in the top 3 in the betting
• 8 of the last 12 winners won on their last run before
• 10 of the last 12 winners were rated 146 or higher

I was really looking forward to seeing Jimmy Du Seuil here but he has been taken out now by Willie Mullins. He still has the favourite in the shape of Kitzbuhel but I’m not entirely convinced by his profile and I make WENDIGO a decent bet to beat him. The latter stayed on strongly to beat No Questions Asked at Newbury and is clearly improving with experience. He has more to come and looks a horse to keep on side.

Salver was impressive at Sandown but the race rather fell in his lap with the second Doyen Quest going hard. He has more to come over fences and is the danger but might just prove vulnerable to the selection. Blueking D’oroux was off the mark in this sphere at Wincanton but didn’t exactly look a natural and this is a tough ask even with improvement.

 Bet on WENDIGO to win at 11/4 with bet365

1.55 Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m

• 10 of the last 12 winners were aged either 6 or 7
• 9 of the last 12 winners were favourites or joint favourites
• 9 of the last 12 winners won on their last run before
• 10 of the last 12 winners were rated 153 or higher

It is a shame we won’t be seeing last year’s winner Constitution Hill but the yard send another seriously promising horse in the shape of SIR GINO. He won the Fighting Fifth on return last year before beating Ballyburn in the Wayward Lad on chase debut at this track. He suffered a setback after with a ligament infection so missed the remainder of the season but he is proven fresh and back over hurdles is expected to prove a cut above this field.

Golden Ace was horrific on return at Wetherby but quickly got back on track beating Anzadam in the Fighting Fifth and looks the one to chase the favourite home. The latter could come on for that return run but didn’t look the most straightforward under pressure which would be a bit concerning.

 Bet on SIR GINO to win at 8/11 with Midnite 

2.30 Ladbrokes King George VI Chase (Grade 1) 3m

• 11 of the last 12 winners were aged between 6 and 8
• 7 of the last 12 winners were in the top 3 in the betting
• 5 of the last 12 winners won on their last run before
• 9 of the last 12 winners were rated 162 or higher

The one we’ve all been waiting for, the King George! I’m confident GAELIC WARRIOR is the one to beat. He arrives on a hat-trick after winning at Aintree and Sandown last season before edging out Fact To File in a thriller in the John Durkan on return.

The pair dominated that race and he showed a great attitude to fend off his stablemate. This step back up to 3 miles is only going to help and with a run under his belt and Paul Townend on he is clearly difficult to oppose.

Fact To File is still a horse I think can do better and I expect him to run a big race here too. Jango Baie could be a bigger threat though as he will be suited by this trip on a Flat track and if they go hard he will be staying on well.

I’ll probably cover the reverse forecast for some insurance on the day. The Jukebox Man is a horse I like too but he is in with the big boys here so might be up against it.

 Bet on GAELIC WARRIOR to win at 11/4 with Betfred 

3.05 ‘Join Ladbrokes Bet 5 Get 30’ Maiden Hurdle (Class 2) 2m

Nicky Henderson and Nico de Boinville teamed up with the winner last year in the shape of Kientzheim and they have a good chance 12 months on in the shape of IONIAN. This 4yo by Blue Bresil was somewhat an eye-catcher in his point jumping and travelling well before getting outstayed. 2 miles should suit ahead of his racecourse bow and there is every chance he is another smart recruit for the yard.

Olly Murphy sends Zamek here and he is a horse very much on my radar. He was beaten just 2 and a half lengths on debut over hurdles at Lingfield and with natural improvement can get competitive. Klub De Reve bumped into Gentleman Toboot at Exeter and that form would give him a squeak as well in a very open race.

Bet on IONIAN to win at 7/2 with bet365 

3.40 Ladbrokes ‘Best Odds Guaranteed In Racing’ Handicap Hurdle (Class 3) 2m5f

East India Express won this race last year for Nicky Henderson and takes his chance again so must be feared. I prefer ONEWAYWEST though for Ben Pauling. This son of Westerner won by 12 lengths at Warwick on return last month and then backed that up winning impressively again at Wetherby last time. He has more to come and I know his trainer has said he is one he is looking forward to over the Christmas period so that would be worth noting.

Absolutely Doyen is on a four-timer and looked good completing the hat-trick at Ascot last month. He is an improver and shouldn’t be ignored either. The Owners Group have Believitanducan who won well at Plumpton when last seen and is another one who could hit the frame.

 Bet on ONEWAYWEST to win at 3/1 with bet365 

My top tip for Friday’s racing at Kempton’s Christmas Festival

It is a shame we won’t see Jimmy Du Seuil but as a result it could be a great opportunity for WENDIGO to back up that Newbury win. He is clearly a staying chaser on the up and I’m keen to keep him on side against these with plenty more improvement to come.

I have doubled him up with GAELIC WARRIOR in the big one. He has gone from strength to strength recently and despite looking like he’d improve for the run managed to beat stablemate Fact To File on return and should confirm that form here with the step back up to 3 miles firmly in his favour.

Bet a Win Double on WENDIGO and GAELIC WARRIOR at 15/1 with bet365

About the author

Joe Norris

I’m Joe Norris, co-founder and Director of GetYourTipsOut (GYTO), which I launched in 2009 to provide daily sports betting tips, with the main focus on horse racing. Over the years, I’ve earned a reputation for offering reliable and profitable tips, which led to being named “Best Sports Betting Tipster” in 2023. Alongside my work at GYTO, I also contribute predictions to platforms like Oddschecker, allowing me to share my insights with a wide community of sports enthusiasts and bettors.

Find Joe on X: @JoeNorrisGYTO

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