Christmas Hurdle Tips 2020
FREE professional horse racing tips for the Christmas Hurdle at the Ladbrokes Christmas Festival Meeting at Kempton Park.
Get professional tipster Keith Bond's FREE tips for all the races…
Get professional tipster Keith Bond's FREE tips for all the races…
Look out for Keith's FREE tips for all races, in your inbox every morning throughout the festival
PLUS: you'll also get our FREE Ladbrokes Christmas Festival magazine
Christmas Hurdle Tips
When is The Christmas Hurdle 2020?
The Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle is one of the three grade 1 races at the Ladbrokes Christmas Festival and takes place on Boxing Day at 2.25pm.
In it's current form, the Christmas Hurdle was established in 1969 and is seen as a trial for the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham Festival, as 5 winners have gone on to victory in both races. Most recently was last year's winner Epatante.
There's one stand out Trainer for this race, and that goes to Nicky Henderson, who has notched up 9 winners. Leading Jockey is Tony McCoy who has 5 wins under his belt.
Christmas Hurdle Previous Winners
2010 race took place in January 2011, 2005 race was held at Sandown
| Date | Track | Distance | Going | Runners | Winner | Stallion | Age | Jockey (Clm) | Trainer | Odds | Weight | OR | NC(F) | Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26.12.2020 | Kempton | 2m | Good To Soft | 5 | Silver Streak (IRE) | Dark Angel (IRE) | 7 | Wedge, Adam | Williams, Evan | 13/2 | 11-7 | 158 | 2(0) | 14d |
| 26.12.2019 | Kempton | 2m | Soft | 10 | Epatante (FR) | No Risk At All (FR) | 5 | Geraghty, B J | Henderson, N J | 2/1 | 11-0 | 137 | 0(0) | 26d |
| 26.12.2018 | Kempton | 2m | Good To Soft | 5 | Verdana Blue (IRE) | Getaway (GER) | 6 | Boinville, Nico | Henderson, N J | 11/2 | 11-0 | 152 | 1(0) | 21d |
| 26.12.2017 | Kempton | 2m | Soft | 4 | Buveur Dair (FR) | Crillon (FR) | 6 | Geraghty, B J | Henderson, N J | 2/11 | 11-7 | 169 | 0(0) | 24d |
| 26.12.2016 | Kempton | 2m | Good | 5 | Yanworth | Norse Dancer (IRE) | 6 | Geraghty, B J | King, A | 5/4 | 11-7 | 157 | 0(0) | 37d |
| 26.12.2015 | Kempton | 2m | Good To Soft | 5 | Faugheen (IRE) | Germany (USA) | 7 | Walsh, R | Mullins, W P | 1/4 | 11-7 | 171 | 0(0) | 41d |
| 26.12.2014 | Kempton | 2m | Good To Soft | 6 | Faugheen (IRE) | Germany (USA) | 6 | Walsh, R | Mullins, W P | 4/11 | 11-7 | 164 | 0(0) | 34d |
| 26.12.2013 | Kempton | 2m | Soft | 6 | My Tent Or Yours (IRE) | Desert Prince (IRE) | 6 | McCoy, A P | Henderson, N J | 11/8 | 11-7 | 160 | 0(0) | 26d |
| 26.12.2012 | Kempton | 2m | Heavy | 7 | Darlan | Milan | 5 | McCoy, A P | Henderson, N J | 3/1 | 11-7 | 151 | 1(1) | 257d |
| 26.12.2011 | Kempton | 2m | Good To Soft | 5 | Binocular (FR) | Enrique | 7 | McCoy, A P | Henderson, N J | 5/4 | 11-7 | 164 | 0(0) | 30d |
| 15.01.2011 | Kempton | 2m | Good To Soft | 6 | Binocular (FR) | Enrique | 7 | McCoy, A P | Henderson, N J | 13/8 | 11-7 | 171 | 0(0) | 49d |
| 26.12.2009 | Kempton | 2m | Good To Soft | 7 | Go Native (IRE) | Double Eclipse (IRE) | 6 | Condon, D J | Meade, Noel | 5/2 | 11-7 | 164 | 0(0) | 28d |
| 26.12.2008 | Kempton | 2m | Good | 7 | Harchibald (FR) | Perugino (USA) | 9 | Carberry, P | Meade, Noel | 7/1 | 11-7 | 162 | 0(0) | 77d |
| 26.12.2007 | Kempton | 2m | Good To Soft | 6 | Straw Bear (USA) | Diesis | 6 | McCoy, A P | Gifford, N J | 9/2 | 11-7 | 161 | 1(0) | 11d |
| 26.12.2006 | Kempton | 2m | Good To Soft | 7 | Jazz Messenger (FR) | Acatenango (GER) | 6 | Madden, N P | Meade, Noel | 10/1 | 11-7 | 0 | 0(0) | 9d |
| 26.12.2005 | Sandown | 2m½f | Good To Soft | 7 | Feathard Lady (IRE) | Accordion (IRE) | 5 | Walsh, R | Murphy, C A | 6/4 | 11-0 | 0 | 0(0) | 23d |
| 26.12.2004 | Kempton | 2m | Good To Soft | 7 | Harchibald (FR) | Perugino (USA) | 5 | Carberry, P | Meade, Noel | 8/11 | 11-7 | 0 | 0(0) | 29d |
| 26.12.2003 | Kempton | 2m | Good | 6 | Intersky Falcon | Polar Falcon (USA) | 6 | Cooper, L | ONeill, Jonjo | 11/4 | 11-7 | 160 | 0(0) | 27d |
| 26.12.2002 | Kempton | 2m | Soft | 6 | Intersky Falcon | Polar Falcon (USA) | 5 | Swan, C F | ONeill, Jonjo | Evens | 11-7 | 162 | 0(0) | 26d |
| 26.12.2001 | Kempton | 2m | Good | 5 | Landing Light (IRE) | In The Wings | 6 | Fitzgerald, Mick | Henderson, N J | 5/4 | 11-7 | 162 | 1(0) | 25d |
| 27.12.2000 | Kempton | 2m | Good To Soft | 7 | Geos (FR) | Pistolet Bleu (IRE) | 5 | Fitzgerald, Mick | Henderson, N J | 9/4 | 11-7 | 165 | 0(0) | 18d |
| 28.12.1999 | Kempton | 2m | Soft | 4 | Dato Star (IRE) | Accordion (IRE) | 8 | Wyer, L | Jefferson, J M | 11/8 | 11-7 | 172 | 2(1) | 31d |
| 28.12.1998 | Kempton | 2m | Soft | 5 | French Holly (USA) | Sir Ivor (USA) | 7 | Thornton, Andrew | Murphy, Ferdy | 5/2 | 11-7 | 164 | 1(0) | 30d |
| 27.12.1997 | Kempton | 2m | Soft | 5 | Kerawi | Warning | 4 | Llewellyn, Carl | Twiston-Davies, N A | 4/1 | 11-7 | 0 | 0(0) | 21d |
Christmas Hurdle Trends
Keith has poured over the stats from previous Christmas Hurdle races and has found some interesting trends for you below:
12 Year Trends and Statistics (2010 was run in January 2011)
- Age – All of the last 12 winners were aged between 5 and 7.
- Sex – 7 of the last 12 winners were geldings. Just 4 mares have taken part in this time and 2 have won.
- Trainer – Three trainers have had a stranglehold on the race in the last 12 years, Nicky Henderson has saddled 7 winners; Willie Mullins 2, Noel Meade 1. Mullins and Meade have only saddled 2 horses each so have a 100% strike rate.
- Horse – 2 horses have won this race twice in the last 12 years.
- Country – 4 of the last 12 winners were bred in France, 6 in Ireland and 2 in Great Britain.
- Colour – 8 of the last 12 winners were bay.
- Weight Carried – 10 of the last 12 winners carried 11st 7lb. The two mares that won carried 7lb less.
- Starting Price Rank – 7 of the last 12 winners started as favourite and 11 were in the first 2 in the betting.
- Headgear – None of the last 12 winners wore any headgear.
- Days Since Last Run – 11 of the last 12 winners had run between 11 and 60 days ago.
- Last Run Form – 7 of the last 12 winners had won last time out, All of them finished in the first 3 last time.
Christmas Hurdle Tips
The Christmas Hurdle revolves round the mare EPATANTI. She won this last season before cruising home in the Champion Hurdle. EPATANTE resumed the new season with a cosy win at Newcastle in the Fighting Fifth hurdle. SILVER STREAK who has finished behind EPATANTI 3 times in his last 5 races is the most likely to finish runner up.
Keith's Selection
EPATANTE 14:25 Kempton 2/7 – The Christmas Hurdle revolves round the mare EPATANTI. She won this last season before cruising home in the Champion Hurdle. EPATANTE resumed the new season with a cosy win at Newcastle in the Fighting Fifth hurdle. SILVER STREAK who has finished behind EPATANTI 3 times in his last 5 races is the most likely to finish runner up.
How we got on
All the pieces fell into place for SILVER STREAK and he finally got the better of EPATANTE who finished second eased down unable to catch the winner who made all.
Keith will have a tip for all races shown on ITV which he will send to all VIP members on the morning of the races. If you are not yet a VIP member, you can join VIP here.
Christmas Hurdle Results
Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race)
Distance: 2m (3520 yards +22 yards rails adjustment) Prize (winner): £59798 Direction: Right Handed
Runners: 5 Going: Good To Soft Class: Class 1 Grade 1 Age Restrictions: 4yo+
Winners Time: 3 mins 47.30s Avg OR: 154 Median OR: 157
Full Results:
| No | Place | Dist Bt | Horse | Age | Weight | Headgear | OR | Trainer | Jockey (Claim) | Odds | BF | BFP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 1st | Silver Streak (IRE) | 7 | 11-7 | 158 | Williams, Evan | Wedge, Adam | 13/2 | 9.92 | 1.78 | ||
| made all, set good pace and soon clear, reduced lead 3rd, hit next, went clear again 4 out, looked vulnerable between last 2, over 2 lengths ahead good jump and in command last, kept on gamely, unchallenged BF IP MIN 1.01 BF IP MAX 10.5 | ||||||||||||
| 4 | 2nd | 6.5 | Epatante (FR) | 6 | 11-0 | 162 | Henderson, N J | Coleman, A | 1/5 (Fav) | 1.23 | 1.12 | |
| hit 1st, tracked leaders on inside, tracked winner after next until before 3rd, 2nd again before 4 out, mistake next, pushed along before 2 out, ridden and tried to close between last 2, over 2 lengths down and no impression last BF IP MIN 1.2 BF IP MAX 1000 | ||||||||||||
| 1 | 3rd | 8.5 | Ballyandy | 9 | 11-7 | 157 | Twiston-Davies, N A | Twiston-Davies, Sam | 16/1 | 20.74 | 3.25 | |
| chased leaders in 4th, pushed along after 3 out, plugged on in modest 3rd before next, no chance with leading duo BF IP MIN 19.5 BF IP MAX 1000 | ||||||||||||
| 5 | 4th | NK | Floressa (FR) | 5 | 11-0 | 144 | Henderson, N J | McGrath, Jeremiah | 22/1 | 23.00 | 4.51 | |
| chased winner until after 2nd, chased leaders, went 2nd again before next until before 4 out, weakened before next, plugged on BF IP MIN 22 BF IP MAX 1000 | ||||||||||||
| 2 | 5th | 51 | Diego Du Charmil (FR) | 8 | 11-7 | CkPc TT | 148 | Nicholls, P F | Cobden, Harry | 50/1 | 94.13 | 12.71 |
| held up last, good headway into 3rd before 3 out, weakened quickly before next BF IP MIN 50 BF IP MAX 1000 | ||||||||||||
Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle (Grade 1)
Distance: 2m (3520 yards +22 yards rails adjustment) Prize (winner): £74035 Direction: Right Handed
Runners: 10 Going: Soft Class: Class 1 Grade 1 Age Restrictions: 4yo+
Winners Time: 3 mins 55.25s Avg OR: 137 Median OR: 153
Full Results:
| No | Place | Dist Bt | Horse | Age | Weight | Headgear | OR | Trainer | Jockey (Claim) | Odds | BF | BFP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | 1st | Epatante (FR) | 5 | 11-0 | 137 | Henderson, N J | Geraghty, B J | 2/1 (JFav) | 3.27 | 1.66 | ||
| held up in mid-division, smooth headway tracking leaders approaching 3 out, challenged on bit 2 out, led between last 2, quickened clear from last, impressive BF IP MIN 1.01 BF IP MAX 3.9 | ||||||||||||
| 8 | 2nd | 5 | Silver Streak (IRE) | 6 | 11-7 | 154 | Williams, Evan | Wedge, Adam | 11/1 | 17.69 | 3.16 | |
| held up in mid-division on inside, headway chasing leaders when hit 3 out, went 2nd before next where dropped to 3rd, 2nd again before the last, no chance with winner BF IP MIN 6 BF IP MAX 1000 | ||||||||||||
| 1 | 3rd | 3.25 | Ballyandy | 8 | 11-7 | 154 | Twiston-Davies, N A | Twiston-Davies, Sam | 14/1 | 21.37 | 3.99 | |
| led, went left 2nd, soon headed, chased leader, went left next, led on long run before 2 out, joined 2 out, headed between last 2, lost 2nd before the last, plugged on in 3rd BF IP MIN 5 BF IP MAX 990 | ||||||||||||
| 10 | 4th | 1 | Verdana Blue (IRE) | 7 | 11-0 | 162 | Henderson, N J | McGrath, Jeremiah | 7/1 | 7.80 | 2.77 | |
| held up in last pair, headway on outside tracking leaders before 2 out, 4th and one pace from 2 out BF IP MIN 3.05 BF IP MAX 1000 | ||||||||||||
| 3 | 5th | 4 | Chtibello (FR) | 8 | 11-7 | 157 | Skelton, Daniel | Skelton, Harry | 10/1 | 18.40 | 2.98 | |
| held up in last pair, pushed along in modest 5th before 2 out, mistake 2 out, never on terms BF IP MIN 14 BF IP MAX 1000 | ||||||||||||
| 7 | 6th | 19 | Quick Grabim (IRE) | 7 | 11-7 | 149 | OBrien, Fergal | Brennan, P J | 50/1 | 229.12 | 20.05 | |
| raced keenly, chased leaders on inside, weakened on long run before 2 out BF IP MIN 46 BF IP MAX 1000 | ||||||||||||
| 4 | 7th | 12 | Elixir De Nutz (FR) | 5 | 11-7 | 150 | Tizzard, C L | Power, R M | 14/1 | 32.00 | 5.70 | |
| chased leader, led after 2nd, headed on long run before 2 out, lost 2nd and weakened before 2 out BF IP MIN 11 BF IP MAX 1000 | ||||||||||||
| 2 | PU | Big Blue | 7 | 11-7 | 0 | Eustace, C,D | Burke, Jonathan | 40/1 | 66.59 | 10.50 | ||
| held up and always towards rear, weakened and behind 3 out, never involved, soon pulled up BF IP MIN 55 BF IP MAX 1000 | ||||||||||||
| 5 | PU | Fusil Raffles (FR) | 4 | 11-7 | 152 | Henderson, N J | Boinville, Nico | 2/1 (JFav) | 3.15 | 1.57 | ||
| raced keenly, chased leaders, weakened after 3 out, behind and pulled up before 2 out BF IP MIN 3 BF IP MAX 1000 | ||||||||||||
| 6 | PU | Getaway Trump (IRE) | 6 | 11-7 | TT | 155 | Nicholls, P F | Cobden, Harry | 16/1 | 26.00 | 4.90 | |
| held up in mid-division, headway chasing leaders before 4th, weakened after 3 out, behind and pulled up before 2 out BF IP MIN 16 BF IP MAX 1000 | ||||||||||||
Ladbrokes Christmas Festival Race Cards
Ladbrokes Christmas Festival – Kempton Racecourse:
Saturday 26th December
King George VI Chase Day
| TIME | RACE | DISTANCE | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12:40pm | THE LADBROKES WATCH RACING ONLINE FOR FREE NOVICES' HURDLE RACE | 2 miles | |
| 1:15pm | THE PLAY LADBROKES 5-A-SIDE ON FOOTBALL NOVICES' LIMITED HANDICAP STEEPLE CHASE | 2 miles 4 furlongs | |
| 1:50pm | THE LADBROKES KAUTO STAR NOVICES’ STEEPLE CHASE | 3 miles | |
| 2:25pm | THE LADBROKES CHRISTMAS HURDLE RACE (GRADE 1) | 2 miles | |
| 3:00pm | THE LADBROKES KING GEORGE VI STEEPLE CHASE (GRADE 1) | 3 miles | |
| 3:35pm | THE GET YOUR LADBROKES DAILY ODDS BOOST HANDICAP HURDLE RACE | 2 miles 5 furlongs |
Sunday 27th December
Desert Orchid Chase Day
| TIME | RACE | DISTANCE | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12:45pm | THE LADBROKES DAILY ODDS BOOSTS INTRODUCTORY JUVENILE HURDLE RACE | 2 miles | |
| 1:20pm | THE LADBROKES WAYWARD LAD NOVICES’ STEEPLE CHASE (GRADE 2) | 2 miles | |
| 1:55pm | THE LADBROKES MARES’ HANDICAP HURDLE RACE | 3 miles 1/2 furlong | |
| 2:30pm | THE LADBROKES DESERT ORCHID STEEPLE CHASE (GRADE 2) | 2 miles | |
| 3:05pm | THE LADBROKES WATCH RACING ONLINE FOR FREE HANDICAP STEEPLE CHASE | 3 miles | |
| 3:40pm | THE PLAY LADBROKES 5-A-SIDE ON FOOTBALL HANDICAP HURDLE RACE | 2 miles |
