When it comes to the National Hunt racing season, any fan or pundit would be quick to agree that the busy festive period comes second only to the Cheltenham Festival in terms of excitement and quality.
With graded racing galore from the likes of Kempton Park, Newbury, Limerick and Leopardstown, there’s not only top-class action to enjoy on both sides of the Irish Sea, but also clues galore in the Cheltenham odds markets.
With that in mind, here are four of the best performers from the festive period—all of whom have laid down serious markers for the major spring meetings.
Sir Gino
For a horse not seen for over a year, Sir Gino won the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton Park as he’d never been away with a significant health scare.
The Nicky Henderson-trained horse was once again reverted to the smaller obstacles to fill the void of Constitution Hill, and he dispatched a decent field to win another Grade 1.
Champion Hurdle and Fighting Fifth winner Golden Ace could only get within six lengths after Nico de Boinville asked Sir Gino to go for home.
The veteran trainer now has to decide whether he stays in this division or goes back for his initial target of the Champion Chase, but the Champion Hurdle now seems far more likely.
The Jukebox Man
Kempton Park is in danger of being redeveloped into housing, but this year’s renewal of the prestigious King George VI Chase was a reminder of why going to the track on Boxing Day is such a long-standing tradition.
The field was one of the best in years, with challengers from top yards in both England and Ireland, but it was The Jukebox Man who came out on top for the lesser powerful Ben Pauling stable and popular owner Harry Redknapp.
With four in a line in the race for home, the ending of the King George was more like a five-furlong sprint than a gruelling three-mile test over fences, but it was exhilarating and The Jukebox Man held on by a nose to beat Banbridge, Gaelic Warrior and Jango Baie, who were all within half-a-length.
The Gold Cup antepost odds are now wide open after the festive period, with the Savills Chase also taking place as a key trial in Ireland, and Redknapp believes The Jukebox Man has a fantastic chance to land the Cheltenham showpiece.
Romeo Coolio
Gordon Elliott’s yard has been in immense form so far this season, and he enjoyed a fantastic Christmas—picking up a ridiculous number of winners at Limerick’s and Leopardstown’s big meetings.
You could pick any one of them, really, but we’ve pulled out two from the Grade 1s, and the first of those is Romeo Coolio.
The six-year-old has made a flawless switch to chasing this campaign, winning three races on the trot—including two at the top level.
This one wasn’t as convincing as his previous efforts, as he won by just half a length from Irish Panther, but he hit the line well and could be a big threat to Final Demand in the Brown Advisory Novice Chase.
Teahupoo
The other Elliott-trained horse who impressed over the festive period was Teahupoo, who won the Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown by a convincing seven lengths.
Pundits and fans were looking forward to his renewed rivalry with Ballyburn after the pair’s close clash at Fairyhouse, with many thinking the Willie Mullins-trained horse would reverse the form.
However, he was never in contention as Teahupoo instead avenged last year’s Stayers’ Hurdle defeat to Bob Olinger.
The eight-year-old is now firmly the favourite to win back his Cheltenham Festival crown in the day three feature race.
