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Kempton Park is ready for the best Jump Racing of the year!

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FINAL preparations are being made for one of the highlights of the British sporting year – the William Hill Winter Festival at Kempton Park Racecourse on 26 and 27 December.

 

Over 30,000 spectators are expected over the two days, the highlight of which is the William Hill King George VI Chase on Boxing Day, the race made world famous by the great horses Desert Orchid and Kauto Star.

 

Indeed, the five times winner and recently retired Kauto Star will be back on his old stomping ground for a special parade in front of the packed grandstands during the afternoon.

 

Britain’s racehorse trainers have now decided which horses they are entering for all the races on Boxing Day and a stellar line-up is in prospect in the races.

 

Fifteen horses remain in the feature three-mile steeple chase, headed by Long Run who won the delayed 2010 race 23 months ago.  He is the bookies’ favourite to regain his crown, but will face a tough contest with star horses like Cue Card and Grands Crus up against him.

 

Added to the mix are Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up The Giant Bolster and Kauto Star’s brother Kauto Stone, while the owners of the former Cheltenham Festival winner Junior have paid £10,000 to enter him in the race at this late stage.

 

The race before the ‘King George’ is the williamhill.com Christmas Hurdle which includes entries from Champion Hurdle candidates Countrywide Flame and Darlan.  Former Champion Hurdle hero Punjabi could run for the first time in over two years.

 

Adding to the excitement on the second day of the festival is an extra race – the William Hill Levy Board Peterborough Chase.  The Grade 2 race was lost earlier this month at its home at Huntingdon Racecourse due to frost.  However, Kempton Park has stepped in to save the race and it adds to the quality of the racing next Thursday, as well as making for a seven-race card.

 

What is almost certain is that the ‘going’ will be testing.  Head of Racing and Clerk of the Course Barney Clifford says the ground is currently soft and there is more rain forecast.  However, there is no threat to the meeting because the track is so well draining.

 

He said: “We’re very pleased with the entries for the William Hill Winter Festival.  It has all the makings of two great days of racing, with the William Hill King George VI Chase the stand-out race and huge interest in which horse will be crowned following the retirement of five times winner Kauto Star.

 

“We are also delighted to be staging the William Hill Levy Board Peterborough Chase.  Although it is disappointing for Exeter and Huntingdon that the inclement weather has forced the race to be abandoned twice, the Grade 2 race will make a great addition to an already strong card.  As part of Jockey Club Racecourses, we are pleased the race has been promptly rescheduled and it is a testament to the determination and hard work of everyone involved that we are endeavouring to safeguard this race.  We would like to thank William Hill and the Levy Board for their support.”

 

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