Who To Follow At Kempton On Boxing Day - 26/12/20

The Big Breakaway for Colin Tizzard will be looking to bounce back to form in the Grade One Kauto Star Novices' Chase on Boxing Day and we believe he has the scope to do so.

He was impressive without beating anything on his first three starts over hurdles last season, and he then took that form to a different level when fourth in the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle at the festival, a race which is working out really well form wise.

Always bought to be a chaser, the Dorset handler sent him over the bigger obstacles at Cheltenham in November and he got off to a superb start landing a Novices' Chase over three miles by 10 lengths.

With the world at his feet, strangely he was dropped in trip last time out at Exeter in a 2m3f Novices' Chase and although taking on what looked a weak field, the star got beat by Bold Plan for Evan Williams.

His jumping that day was below par and it did not go to plan for the five year old however, going back up to three miles should see him back to his best and if living up to his potential has to be in the mix.

Nicky Henderson has a great record at landing winners at this meeting on Boxing Day and this year should be no exception with some stand out chances in the big races.

Epatante looks one of the bankers across the Christmas period for punters with her looking to land her second Christmas Hurdle in consecutive years.

Having supplemented Santini for the King George the yard obviously believes he is not without a chance and another horse that takes the eye is Barbados Blue in the lucky last, getting bundles of weight off the rest of the field and returning from a long lay off.

Henderson heads into the Christmas period is superb form having had eight winners from 40 runners which sees him pose a 20% strike rate.

Harry Skelton has had a fine season to date and could be set for a late Christmas present on Boxing Day riding four of the six favourites on the day.

Skelton in the first race of the day sits on Third Time Lucky for his brother Dan and the pair will be looking to get back on track after losing his unbeaten record over hurdles last time out.

In the next he sits on Alnadam who was a bold winner next time out and then he will be looking for more Grade One glory this season with Shan Blue in the Kauto Star Novices' Chase.

To finish off the day Skelton has the well handicapped Riggs who is the 5/1 favourite for the Class 3 Handicap Hurdle.

Along with having the majority of market leaders on the day, Skelton heads into the meeting running at a 17% strike rate for the last two weeks.