Kempton And Aintree All Set For Thrilling Boxing Day Cards

A dip in temperatures over Christmas is not anticipated to cause any concerns for the interesting Boxing Day cards in store at Kempton and Aintree.


Kempton hosts what promises to be a remarkable renewal of the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase, where the Willie Mullins-trained duo of Fact To File and Gaelic Warrior are set for a rematch after their scintillating John Durkan clash.


The country has actually not been treated to a white Christmas and while there could be low readings of Boxing Day, the projection should not problem racing fans ahead of the meeting.


Kempton clerk Barney Clifford stated: "We were down to 2 degrees over night and there is an easterly wind that is extremely cold.


"Ground conditions are offered as good, great to soft in locations. Tony Martin exercised his runner today and he thought it was charming ground, we're in an excellent location.


"We have a got a frost forecast tonight and it might get down to minus one (degrees Celsius), however we need to be OK on that as we've got liftoffs and landings covered, and vulnerable locations.


Jockeys before the Ladbrokes Kauto Star Novices ´ Chase on King George VI Chase Day at Kempton Park (Steven Paston for the Jockey Club)


"It's a remarkable card throughout the 2 days, we're really looking forward to it."


Aintree are also set to stage a Grade One card with the William Hill Formby Novices' Hurdle the feature, and they too are faring well ahead ground-wise ahead of Boxing Day.


Clerk of the course Sulekha Varma stated: "We're excellent to soft, soft in places without any sign of any rain.


"It's turned chillier today but we didn't get a frost today, we might get a yard frost tomorrow but nothing of issue.


"We're looking forward to an actually great day of racing."