Megan Nicholls Racing Preview: Kempton & Aintree Tips
BOXING DAY FRIDAY RACING TIPS
Aintree 1.05 – Formby Novices' Hurdle
I found it hard to see past the favourite Mydaddypaddy (1/2 fav) in the Formby.
He has so much tactical speed and this doesn’t look the deepest of Grade Ones, so it represents a pretty good opportunity for him to get his head in front at the highest level before Cheltenham in March.
I’m looking forward to seeing him back on the track and it was great to see the rumours in the week about him being injured put to bed via his trainer.
A very solid favourite in my eyes.
Megan’s Tip: Mydaddypaddy WIN
Kempton 1.20 – Kauto Star Novices' Chase
This looks a typical Irish raid job as I can see Kitzbuhel (7/4 fav) taking this out.
He’s a horse that’s always been held in high -regard and looked to take to fences well on his chasing and seasonal debut at Punchestown.
This is a step up in Grade but he showed over hurdles he’s got the ability to run at this level and he looks the type who will only improve over the bigger obstacles.
Megan’s Tip: Kitzbuhel WIN
Kempton 1.55 – Christmas Hurdle
I must admit I’m a bit gutted Sir Gino (8/15 fav) returns over hurdles because I do think he’ll prove a wonderful chaser.
We know he’s been off the track for a while but he’s a really classy horse with a massive engine. He’ll need to be sharp on his return but this doesn’t look a deep race.
Golden Ace (7/2) just continues to do what she does and the name of this game is jumping and she certainly does that. Whether she’s got the class to beat the favourite, I’m not sure, but she’ll certainly run her race.
I do think Sir Gino is comfortably the best horse in here and he should win this nicely.
Megan’s Tip: Sir Gino WIN
Kempton 2.30 – King George VI Chase
Fact To File (5/2 joint fav) and Gaelic Warrior (5/2 joint fav) meet for the third time in what looks one of the best King Georges we’ve seen in a long time.
On this occasion I prefer the claims of Fact To File, who is a horse I’ve loved for ages and this race looks tailormade for him. He has that pace you need for a sharp track like Kempton and the conditions we’re going to get on Boxing Day will suit him very well.
There should be plenty of pace which he’ll like and I expect Mark Walsh to sit a couple of spots off the pace and just pick them off down the home straight.
He might have been beaten by Gaelic Warrior in the John Durkan but I don’t think he lost much in defeat and should come on bundles for that.
Around Kempton I think he’ll prove very hard to beat.
Megan’s Tip: Fact To File WIN
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation
