The Festive period of racing is almost upon us, and it’s a thrilling time of year for fans. This year, it could well be even bigger and better than we’re used to.

The big races over Christmas always offer clues for the rest of the season, usually focusing on the Cheltenham Festival.

But this year, the clues could be bigger and far more important for punters than ever before

With a potentially huge Christmas Hurdle at Kempton and a King George Chase and Savills Chase that could throw us up a new Gold Cup favourite, the antepost markets are going to be scrutinised before and after.

Champion Hurdle Clues from Constitution Hill Return

The expectation is that Constitution Hill makes his seasonal reappearance in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton. It’s a race he’s won before, and in the past, it’s been a procession that he’s won without coming off the bridle. I’ll be amazed if that happens this time around.

Irish mare Lossiemouth is likely to run here instead of staying at home so she can avoid stablemate State Man. She was very impressive last time out and will provide a formidable test to Constitution Hill.

Don’t overlook Burdett Road either, a horse who could jump into the Champion Hurdle picture as a lively outsider with a good run here.

Three days after the Christmas Hurdle, eyes will be looking towards Ireland, where State Man will run in the December Hurdle. This shouldn’t be a tough test, he’s already odds on in the antepost market, and last season’s winner will be out to impress and stake his claim for Cheltenham.

Gold Cup Market Could Shake Up after Two Big Trials

The King George Chase headlines Christmas racing as a whole, but you have to say, it hardly appears to be a vintage renewal this time around. I’m not sure the whole division for staying chasers is as good as we’ve had before. It feels like we’re waiting for a new star to emerge.

That could be Grey Dawning for the Dan Skelton team. I think the King George is his ideal race. The Gold Cup would be a little too far for him in terms of distance, so if he were to win at Kempton, I don’t see the Gold Cup market being affected too much.

Elsewhere, the Irish look set to have a strong hand, and it won’t be down to Willie Mullins. Banbridge, Spillane’s Tower, Corbetts Cross and Envoi Allen lead their charge for the big one at Kempton.

But it could actually be a race in Ireland, after the King George Chase, that gives us the biggest clue of them all. The race is the Savills Chase, which takes place on Saturday, December 28. Current Gold Cup favourite Fact To File and previous winner and second favourite Galopin Des Champs are set to clash once again.

Of the pair, Fact To File is the younger model, trying to come and steal the crown. A big win at Christmas could see him shorten considerably for the Gold Cup in March, especially if nothing shines too brightly in the King George.

The usual excitement around the festive racing is definitely there. But when you look at the kind of horses we are seeing run and the subplots surrounding many of them, this year feels bigger than normal.

A potentially fascinating Christmas Hurdle, wide open King George and Savills Chase in Ireland where the Gold Cup first and second favourites will clash, it all adds up to the perfect Christmas present for racing fans.