Expert horse racing betting tips for Friday December 26th 2025

After a three-day break, British horse racing roars back into action with a typically action-packed Boxing Day.

There are no less than EIGHT meetings taking place across the UK, with three more in Ireland – leaving punters spoilt for choice when it comes to finding some festive wagers.

Fortunately, the Odds Now Punters Panel are on hand to help. Five fine racing brains answer our burning questions ahead of the busiest day of the calendar. Hopefully they'll unearth winners aplenty!

Please note that panelists had to submit their answers by Christmas Eve, so the possibility of non-runners may impact some responses.

Introducing the Odds Now Horse Racing Punters Panel

Before we get stuck in, here’s a little bit more on the five experts answering our key questions this week:

SD - The self-proclaimed ‘star of the show’ on Races Now, who has been going viral with his daily tips and betting ring analysis over the past year.

Adam Smith - A betting industry veteran, flat lover and one half of our Races Now double act.

Harry Fowler - Another of Odds Now’s regular racing contributors, currently working in the industry.

Daniel Weatherill - Frequent Northern racegoer and passionate gambler. Regular panel contributor and occasional stand-in cameraman for Races Now.

Racing Lee - Huge racing fan, Oddschecker tipster and presenter of the popular Only Fools Love Horses racing podcast.

Let's start with the main event. Who wins the King George?

SD: It’s a very good renewal. I’m pretty sure Gaelic Warrior will beat Fact to File, but containing Jango Baie might be insurmountable. Surely there’s more to come over this trip and given his upward trajectory.

AS: 11/4 each of three at time of writing. Cracker. I’m a fan of Fact To File but does he truly stay three miles well enough to beat this deep field? At around 18/1, Il Est Francais is the bet in the race. He’s clearly boom or bust but the highs in his career are pretty high.

HF: It’s going to be an absolute cracker of a race! I am personally on Fact To File. It's been a tough few days with the X rumour mill in full swing. He’s just an absolute superstar though and to me this looks tailor-made for him. I think he will sit in third or fourth all the way around and I can just see him getting the better of his market principals at the finish.

DW: I find it very hard to split the front three here. It's probably between Gaelic Warrior and Jango Baie, given the Fact To File stamina doubts. Although he has to improve plenty, The Jukebox Man is a course and distance winner and in my opinion looks much the best of the rest. so is still a solid each way bet – especially with three places and eight runners.

RL: Fascinating clash. I think it’s between the big four in the betting, meaning I am dismissing last season’s 1-2 from the race. I like Jango Baie, his case is solid. But in Gaelic Warrior, I already have a horse I know who stays, having shown at Aintree in the Bowl and up the Sandown hill when winning the Oaksey Chase with ease. His John Durkan win over Fact To File – who has the class to win this and did win over three miles at Cheltenham – shows he can grit things out, bowl along, sit back, and has versatility in trip, too. He’s all class himself is Gaelic Warrior, and has one of the best pilots in Paul Townend, who will be able to sit off a pace if needed, likely set by Il Est Francais. Add in he likes going this way round too. I know where I'm at with Gaelic Warrior, whereas I’m unsure with the rest, so I will stick with the proven runner.

Kempton offers up more Grade 1 action in the form of the Christmas Hurdle. Can anyone stop Sir Gino?

SD: I think Sir Gino has to win to be a credible Champion Hurdle contender. But the value lies in the without market and Tripoli Flyer, with the aid of headgear might surprise a few. He whooped Celtic Dino when they met here in February and the track is obviously to his liking. At 14/1 without the favourite, he’s of interest.

AS: Sir Gino might well be the most talented National Hunt horse in the UK. Assuming he’s fit and ready to go after a 364 day layoff, he’ll win. SD thinks there is value in the without markets, so check those out.

HF: There’s no bet in this race for me. It's a shame about only two places being on offer each way. I’m so excited to see Sir Gino back and hopefully he retains the ability we saw prior to his injury.

DW: I'm no vet (not even close) but I believe Sir Gino had the same issue as Colonel Harry. That comeback went fine. So, Sir Gino is the winner but at the prices I’d prefer to back Celtic Dino in the without market.

RL: If Sir Gino is fit for return, which I have no reason to doubt, he will win. The rest have to step up to his level. It was an illness he was off for, rather than fixing a break or injury.The mare, Golden Ace, is the one to back without. A fortunate Fighting Fifth and Champion Hurdle winner? Perhaps. But, she beat Brighterdaysahead in the Mares Novice and comes in here fit with a team in-form. Gino to win, though!

Anything else from the Kempton card taking your eye?

SD: It’s interesting King of The Road is back again after his set to with East India Express off two pounds higher last year. He has not been running in optimal circumstances and these conditions are far more conducive to a better showing, which he is handicapped to do.

AS: I think Wendigo could put it up to his Irish rivals in the Kauto Star (1:20pm). Stays the trip and could go from the front. I can see his price drifting as well.

HF: As for a bet in the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase, I fancy Salver. Ran a cracking race on chase debut over an inadequate trip behind Lulamba but then was well backed earlier this month at Sandown whenup to 3 miles and he put some decent horses to the absolute sword. I think there is a lot more to come from this lad at this trip.

DW: King Of The Road in the last (3:40pm) is a big price for me at 22/1 at time of writing. Now 2lbs lower than when posting a good second in the last year, he now has a claimer on and cheekpieces are applied. Worth an each way bet. Also, a step up in trip might improve Blueking Dorouxs' jumping and therefore I believe that one is overpriced on hurdles form in the Kauto Star (1:20pm).

RL: Noble Park (12:45pm) looks interesting in the famous colours of Constitution Hill (Micheal Buckley). He has had two chase starts and won well in both, last time out demolishing a small field by 24 lengths thanks to a great jumping display. The second, Vanderpoel, won last weekend at Ascot when beating Stencil with ease, franking the form nicely. He’s hiked up 11lbs for his trouble, but it wouldn’t have stopped him the last day and the team will hope they can get on the board with an early winner.

Chief support comes from Aintree where the Grade 1 Formby Novices' Hurdle is the feature. Any bets?

SD: Not in that race. Kelce might take some beating with a capable pilot in the 2.15pm, though.

AS: Matt Chapman said Mydaddypaddy was out for the season the other day, so it’s nice to see him alive and well and odds on for the Formby (1:05pm). Although I certainly wouldn’t be a backer at 4/7 with Idaho Sun, Diamond Hunter and even Starmount worthy opposition.

HF: The Formby is another race which doesn’t interest me for a bet. Mydaddypaddy I expect to win comfortably. In the following race though, the 2 1/2 mile handicap hurdle, I fancy Indeevar Bleu. I think race was the plan even before running at Newbury last month. I expect him to come on from that run, plus he looked like this step up was exactly what he needed. I’ve taken some of that 11/4.

DW: Mydaddypaddy will be hard to beat but Diamond Hunter is the each way bet for me in the Formby (1:05pm). Hard Belt in the first (12:00pm) has a good record over this trip and is a backable price, so that will also be an each way bet for me.

RL: The feature looks a strong renewal. It's likely Mydaddypaddy will go in some acca, as I have him at bigger prices for the Supreme. I hope he can stamp his mark on the race in March. Elsewhere at Aintree, in the 2:15pm, Fortunate Man bids to win the race again and is only 4lbs higher for a yard who are having a revival in the last few weeks. He has two options on Boxing Day. If he takes this route and the price is right, he may be an each-way play of mine.

Eight UK meetings and three over in Ireland. Any other picks for Boxing Day?

SD: There’s 16 of them on the YouTube selections. Tom Creen in the first at Sedgefield is interesting, returned there after a jaunt around Haydock.

AS: The best flat race of the day is the 3:35pm at Wolverhampton, where Aeolian looks set to deliver a Christmas gift for the King and Queen. The William Haggas three year old looks to have the right upwardly mobile profile to win this.

HF: Going back to Kempton in the first (12:45pm), I fancy Barlovento. I'm surprised to see him bigger than U Can’t Be Serious, a rival he is now 7lbs better off with for that 1/2 length second at Exeter. With a run under his belt and the classic second run after a wind operation, I think he can go very well at around 6/1.

DW: At Wetherby, Joecooker (2:45pm) has been running better over fences and has Charlie Maggs claiming 5lbs. Worth an each way bet. Also the price has gone now but I think Konfusion wins the Rowland Meyrick (1:35pm). I have no doubt I will dabble elsewhere too but will leave it with those two for now.

RL: In the Rowland Meyrick at Wetherby (1:35pm), Konfusion looks to still be the right one to stick with. Extra baggage due to his Newcastle romp in the Rehearsal Chase on Fighting Fifth day, but he has won here two starts back and if he can get loose on the front end, would be very hard to peg back.

What are your personal plans for Boxing Day and the racing?

SD: Go to Sedgefield! It's a truly great day to be racing.

AS: I’ll be at Aintree and keeping a keen eye on Sir Gino and the King George at Kempton.

HF: I will be at home Boxing Day with the family watching as much football and racing as humanely possible. It’s going to be an amazing day of action. I'm just hoping by the end of the day Luton haven’t ruined my afternoon!

DW: I will be at Wetherby, the local track to my family home. One of my favourite days of the year as it brings me a perfect blend of racing, family, friends and hopefully some winners!

RL: Well, I’m on my own at Christmas, so I thought “f**k it” and booked to go to Kempton for a few days. I will fly down Christmas Eve, and then have a few days racing on the 26th and 27th at Kempton, which I can’t wait for. Thanks to the lads and the team at Races Now, with special thanks to SD & Smido for having me join the panel for a write-up. I was lucky enough to win the tickets for Kempton in their competition, meaning I was able to pass them on to two racing fans who I become friendly with. They originally weren’t going racing until I was able to gift them with the tickets I won, so it’s much appreciated to you lads! Merry Christmas to you and to all your followers! Be lucky!