Kempton Christmas Festival: Dates, races, runners, riders & more

The Kempton Christmas Festival provides two fantastic days of action-packed horse racing as the magic will unfold there from Tuesday 26th to Wednesday 27th December 2023.

With 12 top quality races on offer over the two days, including the feature King George VI Chase, punters are treated to a Boxing Day bonanza, celebrating some of the best jumpers from Britain and Ireland.
 

Kempton Christmas Festival dates

The Christmas Festival at Kempton Park racecourse is due to take place from Tuesday 26th to Wednesday 27th December 2023.
 

The big races and runners to watch

On Boxing Day, punters will be treated to quality racing. The Kempton Christmas Festival hosts some of the most significant races in the Jumps season, including the Grade 1 showpiece, the King George VI Chase. 

Last season, Bravemansgame justified market support to win the race for trainer Paul Nicholls, to give the champion trainer a record-extending 13th victory in the highlight.

The current market leader for the race could face off against Nicky Henderson's Shishkin, while it would be no surprise if Willie Mullins threw a spanner in the works by sending Allaho across for the race.

Constitution Hill breezed to a 17-length success in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton last season, and being another who hails from the Seven Barrows yard, he will be back for more in 2023.

National Hunt racing’s new superstar stretched his unbeaten record when landing both the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham and the Aintree Hurdle last season, and it's difficult to see what can beat him again this term.

Another race to savour on Boxing Day is the Grade 1 Kauto Star Novices' Chase, and it could be an opportunity to see Il Est Francais in the flesh, a French raider trained by Noel George and Amanda Zetterholm in Chantilly.

The Grade 1-winning hurdler left his rivals for dust in a Listed event over all sorts of obstacles at Auteuil in November, and he may have a tilt at the Cheltenham Gold Cup despite being a five-year-old.

On Wednesday, the highlight is the Grade 2 Desert Orchid Chase, where Editeur Du Gite sprung a 28/1 surprise last season.
 

Jockeys to follow

Nico De Boinville rode seven winners at Kempton Park last season from just 22 rides, which is a very healthy 32 percent strike-rate.

With guaranteed rides on Constitution Hill and Shishkin among others, he is bound to net a winner or two at the Kempton Christmas Festival 2023.

Another jockey a little under the radar who may be worth following this year is Harry Skelton. He rode a handicap winner in Grey Dawning for his brother Dan at the meeting last season, and the yard's runners could start to peak around Christmas.
 

Trainers to follow

Two top trainers who can't be left out of the discussion are Nicky Henderson and Paul Nicholls, who will both be very strongly represented over both days.

However, if you are looking for a trainer who might not have many runners at the Christmas Festival, keep an eye out to see if Harry Fry has anything running.

He saddled three winners from seven runners at the track last season and won at this meeting last season with Boothill. 
 

Where to watch the Kempton Christmas Festival

Our Sports Live Streaming service means you can watch all the action from Kempton live. 

All you need to watch every race at Kempton is a funded account, or to have placed a bet in the last 24 hours. All racing can be viewed on mobile, tablet and desktop so you can keep up with the action wherever you are.
 

How to Watch

1. Log in to your account
2. Navigate to the relevant race and select the Live Streaming links at the top of the card
3. To watch all UK, Irish and French racing, you must have a funded account or to have placed a bet in the last 24 hours. This also applies to Australian, South African and US Racing covered by At The Races
4. To watch any other racing, you must place a qualifying bet of at least £0.50 win or £0.25 Each-Way (or currency equivalent). This applies to single and multiple bet types. Minimum stakes apply to Tote and other pool betting.