Binocular can rule the roost at Kempton – Boxing Day tips‏

If you’ve had your fill of rowing relatives, chocolate mousse, party poppers & atrocious television then get yourself to Kempton Park on Boxing Day for a cracking card that could turn out to be one of the great days of a really enjoyable NH season.

Shovelling cash on Kauto at 8/13 for a fourth King George isn’t my idea of fun, he should win and I dearly hope he does, but Deep Purple could turn out to be a huge improver and I expect a far better show from Imperial Commander than he put in last year, he might be the each way bet at 7/1, but I’ll swerve that in favour of a headline bet in the Christmas Hurdle.

Compare the best Boxing Day free bets from leading Bookmakers

Binocular can be a Boxing Day stocking filler by bouncing back to his best in the williamhill.com Christmas Hurdle.

A course and distance winner he’s the proven class in the race, and although chief market rivals Go Native (winner of the Fighting Fifth in which Binocular finished only fifth in November) and Starluck are hugely respected, he should still have too much in his locker if he’s back on his game, and he can be ridden a bit more aggressively off a proper pace.

A lack of an early gallop cost him dearly on his seasonal reappearance, but having improved for an outing and with his stable firing in the winners like it’s a hook a duck competition at Garstang Village fete, he can make up for lost time here.

He’s at least 5lb clear of his rivals on official figures, has had a nice break between races, acts on the track, has his ground and can stamp his class here.

A win bet at 11/8 with the sponsors should do the trick.

Nicky Henderson and AP McCoy can also take the opener at the Sunbury venue (12.45pm) with a really nice type in Bellvano – he made it look like child’s play at Newbury on his hurdling debut and can follow up here.

It was the second day of the Hennessy meeting that he burst onto the scene with a fluent debut over the obstacles.

Don’t expect fancy prices, but at around 4/5 he’s ideal material for the middle leg of a patent.

Lastly, over in Ireland I may well soon be out of a job. Thank goodness I hear you say, not before time!

Due to commitments at Kempton Ireland’s richest man will be stepping into my shoes at Leopardstown to talk about the day’s betting and exchange news with Brian Gleeson on RTE Sport.

The man in question is Ireland’s answer to Peter Andre, James “Cracknell” Griffin, a great judge and a welcome addition to the team.

He’ll prove very popular with the punters, especially if he tells them to back Sizing Europe in the 2m 1f Novice Chase at 2.20pm.

He should go off around even money and I’m hoping he can continue his spectacular progress after winning his first three starts over fences, all at Punchestown, in taking style.

Good luck!

Saturday’s best bets:

12.45 Kempton – williamhill.com – Bonus25 Novices’ Hurdle – 1 Bellvano (win)

2.20 Leopardstown – Bord Na Mona With Nature Novice Chase – 6 Sizing Europe (win)

2.30 Kempton – williamhill.com Christmas Hurdle – 1 Binocular (win)