Christmas best bets: horses to follow at Kempton and Leopardstown The upcoming Christmas period is guaranteed to bring with it fierce duels, sparkling performances, Cheltenham Festival clues aplenty and a host of festive betting conundrums. Multiple meetings are scheduled to take place in Ireland and the UK and the star names will be out in force, with Galopin Des Champs, State Man and Ballyburn among them. Competitive handicaps will also be on offer and it is a great time to snap up some free bets to spend on the wealth of action. Editor Vincent Finegan has studied the form and picked out his two best ante-post bets. Banbridge 2.30 Kempton, Thursday 26th December, Ladbrokes King George VI Chase (Grade 1) Banbridge was running a huge race under top weight until slightly impeded and unseating his rider at the final fence in the Hilly Way Chase at Cork last time. The Kempton track plays to his strengths as seen when he won over the course in January and a bold showing is anticipated. Panda Boy 3.00 Leopardstown, Friday 27th December, Paddy Power Steeplechase It could well be third time lucky for Panda Boy in the Paddy Power Chase. Martin Brassil's charge was third in this race in 2022 and finished second last year. His recent comeback run in the Munster National should once again have him primed for a big Christmas performance. Emma Nagle is also keen on Panda Boy's chances in the Paddy Power Chase, but has selected Dinoblue as best bet on the second day of the Christmas Festival at Leopardstown Dinoblue 1.10 Leopardstown, Friday 27th December, Paddy's Rewards Club Chase, Grade One Dinoblue looks over-priced at odds of around 7/1 and represents a solid each-way play. She hasn't been out of the first three for two and a half years and won this race in 2023. She came in for support in a hot Hilly Way Chase on her comeback run and with question marks around several of her opposition here, including Marine Nationale, I think she will run a bog race. Johnny Ward is keen on a hurdling newcomer at Leopardstown and has already had an interest for the Triumph Hurdle in March Hello Neighbour 1.10 Leopardstown, Thursday 26th December, Juvenile Hurdle, Grade Two I am excited to finally see Hello Neighbour make his hurdling debut. He was strongly backed to make a winning debut on the Flat at Navan in September and followed that up with another impressive performance when dropping back in trip at Roscommon in October. It is significant that Gavin Cromwell throws him into a Graded race first time over hurdles, he did the same with Bottler'secret when he won at Nass last season. 18+. Begambleaware.org. Please gamble responsibly.
