Boxing Day races at Kempton: Structure Hill faces Lossiemouth in Christmas Hurdle and 11 at King George | Racing Information

Structure Hill will face the hardest scrutiny in his first race for 12 months in opposition to Lossiemouth within the Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle at Kempton Park on Boxing Day.

There was a lot stated and written about Nicky Henderson’s satisfaction and pleasure since he claimed a powerful second victory within the Grade One occasion final yr.

Nobody may have imagined the trials and tribulations his connections went by means of within the meantime, a lot in order that he noticed his place as favourite for the Champion Hurdle in March snatched away from him by Lossiemouth.

First there was the disastrous gallop at Kempton Racecourse, when it was later found he was affected by an an infection that might rule him out of Cheltenham, after which there was a bout of colic.

Simply when Henderson hoped for a faultless run with him at the beginning of this season, one other racecourse gallop went incorrect when he returned house lame from Newbury, that means he could not take part within the Combating Fifth.

He is match once more now, although, and is alleged to be firing on all cylinders – one thing he’ll want in opposition to Lossiemouth.

Her solely defeat got here to visitors issues throughout the 2023 Dublin Racing Pageant, since then she has received the Triumph Hurdle, the Worldwide, the Mares’ Hurdle and most just lately the Hatton’s Grace.

Skilled by Willie Mullins beneath the colours of Wealthy Ricci, Lossiemouth is 15lbs lighter than Structure Hill based on official rankings, however advantages from a 7lb mare allowance to go together with the racing health she has on her aspect .

There are solely two different riders. Burdett Street, winner of James Owen’s Greatwood Hurdle, and Sam Thomas’s Lump Sum, second within the Combating Fifth behind Structure Hill’s super-sub Sir Gino.

Spillane’s Tower tops eleventh in King George combine

Grey Dawning, Il Est Français and Spillane’s Tower are amongst 11 runners declared for the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase.

Dan Skelton’s Grey Dawning, winner of the Turners Novices’ Chase ultimately season’s Cheltenham Pageant, seems to be the house workforce’s alternative after being hit by Haydock’s specialist Royale Pagaille in final month’s Betfair Chase.

He’s French, educated in France by Noel George and Amanda Zetterholm, was chic in successful the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase over the course and distance at King George 12 months in the past, and deserves immense respect regardless of stopping at Auteuil final time.

Il Est Français is joined by teammate Basic En Chef, who raced with credit score when operating fourth on his British debut within the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury, with David Cottin’s accomplished competitor Juntos Ganamos additionally hoping to turn into the primary French winner of the King George. since First Gold in 2000.

A formidable Irish contingent is led by Spillane’s Tower, a double novice Grade 1 winner for Jimmy Mangan final season and narrowly denied by fellow JP McManus-owned rising star Reality To File within the John Durkan at Punchestown in the past a month.

Regardless of considerations concerning the subject drying out, Spillane Tower (Mark Walsh) was added to King George Subject final week. McManus’ colours may also be carried by the Emmet Mullins-trained Corbetts Cross, with prime newbie Derek O’Connor again on board for the primary time since steering him to a 17-length victory within the Nationwide Hunt Chase at Cheltenham in March.

Joseph O’Brien’s Banbridge and Henry de Bromhead’s Envoi Allen additionally make the journey throughout the Irish Sea, however final yr’s winner, Hewick, was not declared, with the connections opting to as an alternative select to operating hurdles at Leopardstown later within the week.

2022 King George hero Bravemansgame is bidding to regain his crown and provides coach Paul Nicholls a report 14th victory within the race.

The sphere is accomplished by L’Homme Presse, who makes his first look since ending fourth in final season’s Cheltenham Gold Cup for Venetia Williams, and Patrick Neville’s Charlie Corridor Chase winner The Actual Whacker, who shall be partnered by Gavin Sheehan, who managed Hewick. to glory 12 months in the past.