Joe’s best horse racing betting tips for Sandown’s Christmas Festival on Friday (5th December)

The Sandown Christmas Festival kicks off on Friday, setting up two days of proper festive racing and plenty for punters to get excited about.

The opening card has competitive handicaps, smart novices and a few early Christmas clues for anyone looking for value.

I’ve pulled together the key Sandown tips and betting angles for Friday, with the ground, track trends and a couple of lively outsiders all worth keeping an eye on. Here’s what you need to know before having a swing at the card.

Top Sandown’s Christmas Festival betting offer

Christmas Festival Sandown (Friday) tips

• 12.35 Thewoodcorner – 7/2 with Betfred
• 1.10 Keep Running – 3/1 with BetVictor
• 1.45 No Drama This End – 8/15 with Paddy Power
• 2.20 Doyen Quest – 13/8 with bet365 NAP
• 2.55 Hidden History – 7/4 with Sky Bet NEXT BEST
• 3.30 Ocean Conquest – 3/1 with Paddy Power

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

Joe’s best horse racing betting tips for Sandown’s Christmas Festival on Friday (5th December)

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

12.35 Daily Tips On Betting.Betfair ‘Introductory’ Juvenile Hurdle (Class 2) 2m

A lot of unknowns in the Sandown opener with French recruits doing battle! I’m going to chance THEWOODCORNER making a winning start with Nicky Henderson in great form (10 winners from his last 30 runners). He made a bright start winning a bumper and despite the layoff could be quite a nice prospect for the yard going forward.

Dan Skelton saddles Kaldoun Des Rocs who is likely to go off favourite. He finished runner-up over hurdles at Compiegne on debut so has experience on side in comparison to the selection and will run well.

Bet on THEWOODCORNER to win at 7/2 with Betfred

1.10 Best Odds On The Betfair Exchange Handicap Chase (Class 3) 1m7f99y

For much of that race at Fontwell I thought KEEP RUNNING was going to win but a late mistake ultimately cost him. He lost ground by jumping right too and I expect this track to suit much better.

The winner Grenadier Jed has fallen since but I think he remains a nice horse going forward so I expect the form to work out in time.

Northern Air was expected to run better at Carlisle on chase debut but wasn’t disgraced and can come forward from the run and challenge. Krak was given a tough ask on stable debut in the Persian War but is another to note now sent over the larger obstacles.

Bet on KEEP RUNNING to win at 3/1 with BetVictor

1.45 Betfair Winter Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) (Class 1) 2m3f178y

• 9 of the last 12 winners were aged either 5 or 6
• 4 of the last 12 winners were favourites and 8 of 12 top 3 in the betting
• 8 of the last 12 winners won on their last run before
• 6 of the last 12 winners were rated 129 or higher

This race often produces a good horse with Lossiemouth having won it back in 2021.

Mullins doesn’t have a runner this year but Paul Nicholls took it back in 2022 and saddles the exciting NO DRAMA THIS END. He looked something out of the ordinary winning impressively at Cheltenham on hurdles debut. I expect him to improve again and I’ll be surprised if he is beaten here.

Tormund Giantsbane also looks hugely promising having won virtually on the bride at Carlisle on hurdles debut last month. He will also be suited by testing conditions and while I’m keen to see where he goes going forward I just think he is bumping into one here.

The straight forecast pays 7/4 and that is probably how I would play this as well as having the fav in the treble.

Bet on NO DRAMA THIS END to win at 8/15 with Paddy Power

2.20 Betfair Esher Novices’ Chase (Grade 2) (Class 1) 3m42y

This race produced a thriller last year with Handstands narrowly fending off Jango Baie who subsequently went on to win the Arkle.

This looks a decent renewal again with DOYEN QUEST expected to prove hard to beat following that Exeter romp. He left rivals standing that day including Quebecois and should be able to confirm form here with the railway fences likely to prove ideal.

Quebecois will strip fitter and still has a lot of potential in this sphere so looks the danger. Laurens Bay impressed at Uttoxeter but I’d be worried about his jumping here put under pressure. Salver is tough but is unlikely to be able to dictate here.

Bet on DOYEN QUEST to win at 13/8 with bet365

2.55 Bet At Your Best With Betfair Handicap Chase (Class 3) 3m42y

Dan and Harry Skelton teamed up last year to win this with Hoe Joly Smoke and they could defend their crown this time around with HIDDEN HISTORY.

He was given a lot to do on chase debut at Aintree but showed a real likeable attitude and ran on strongly to get up in the end a shade cosily. He has a bright future in this sphere so with more to come can follow up against these.

Champagne Twist was beaten 2 lengths by the selection last time and can improve as well and probably chase him home. Welcom To Cartries is inconsistent but on his best form is another one who could threaten but his chase debut was underwhelming.

Bet on HIDDEN HISTORY to win at 7/4 with Sky Bet

3.30 Betfair Racing Podcasts ‘Four Years Old’ Handicap Hurdle (Class 4) 1m7f216y

I know OCEAN CONQUEST isn’t the most straightforward of horses but Sam Twiston-Davies did well to win on him at Ludlow and then he stepped forward again to win impressively at that venue last month.

Winning seems to have been the making of him so with more to come he could complete the hat-trick agains these.

Across Earth won readily at Hereford and wasn’t disgraced beaten 2 lengths at Kempton so could be the danger. At a huge price Torrent is capable of running well but does need to bounce back from a poor run at Ascot last time.

Bet on OCEAN CONQUEST to win at 3/1 with Paddy Power

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

A fascinating afternoon ahead at Sandown and I’ve decided to play this treble at a double-figure price. NO DRAMA THIS END has been compared to Denman off the back of that explosive Cheltenham performance so he should remain unbeaten over hurdles.

DOYEN QUEST was far too strong for Quebecois at Exeter and will be suited by the railway fences and HIDDEN HISTORY impressed winning at Aintree and with more to come chasing can follow up.

Bet a Win Treble on NO DRAMA THIS END, DOYEN QUEST and HIDDEN HISTORY at 10/1 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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