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The Kempton Park Christmas Festival (26th-27th December 2021) is the jewel in the Kempton Park crown, boasting 12 top quality races over two days and a staple of the festive racing calendar. Here, The Wine Tipster shares his favourite racing moments from the Kempton Christmas archive, and some unmissable wine to accompany the Christmas weekend. Cheers!
King George VI Chase Day – 26th December
Day one is all about The King George VI Chase (3:05) which showcases some incredible talent and is a chance to make horse racing history. It is synonymous with some of the most famous names in racing with Arkle, Pendil, Wayward Lad and Best Mate among its winners. In 2020, history was made in the King George VI Chase with Frodon winning, trained by Paul Nicholls and ridden by the first female rider to win the race: Bryony Frost.
Also featured on Friday are the Grade 1 races the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase (1:55) and the Christmas Hurdle (2:30). The former is named after the great Kauto Star who won the King George a record-breaking 5 times and was one of the most successful steeplechasers of his era.
Desert Orchid Chase Day – 27th December
Day two of the Festival is named in honour of Desert Orchid (Dessie) who won the King George an impressive 4 times and ran his last race at Kempton before retiring. His ashes are buried close to his memorial statue overlooking the parade ring at Kempton Park.
The Monday is packed full of quality racing including the Grade 2 (1:20) Wayward Lad Novices’ Steeple Chase, the (1:55) Mares’ Handicap Hurdle Race, and, of course, the (2:30) Desert Orchid Chase. In 2020, Dan Skelton trained Nube Negra to became only the second horse to beat Altior in winning the Desert Orchid Chase.
Celebrating The Christmas Festival
Whether you are at Kempton or at home for The Christmas Festival, The Wine Tipster has an array of wine and food tips to accompany this first class race meeting.
If you are looking for a tipple or two alongside the races, a glass of Ruggeri Argeo Prosecco DOC Brut is a vibrant and refreshing Prosecco with citrus fruit flavours and lovely crisp acidity. It’s a classic, stylish Prosecco, from this highly regarded producer. Great as an aperitif, or with fish dishes, it’s vegan friendly and abv 11%. Available from The Great Wine Co. (£11.75).
For a classy white for Christmas at Kempton, the Mâcon-Lugny Le Crays Joseph Drouhin 2020, Burgundy, France is the perfect bottle. Maison Joseph Drouhin have been producing a fantastic array of Burgundy wines for over 140 years, with the fourth generation now at the helm. This Chardonnay is tremendous value, lovely to have on its own or with fish dishes, it’s vegan friendly and abv 13%. Available from The Great Wine Co. (£18.85).
Top red for the weekend has to be the Ken Forrester Reserve Merlot 2018, Stellenbosch, South Africa (abv 14%). Ken Forrester made his first wines in 1994 and has built an international reputation for the range of wines he produces. He is renowned for his Grade 1 Chenin Blancs and there are excellent reds too, including his Reserve Merlot which is medium bodied with intense cherry fruit, herbal notes and friendly tannins. Only available at The Jockey Club Racecourse so do try if you are at Kempton, however, check out the great range of Ken Forrester wines at The Great Wine Co. Perfect for a range of dishes at Christmas time.
If you are at Kempton, please be aware of the COVID safety guidance to keep everyone safe this Christmas:
The Wine Tipster hopes that you have wonderful Christmas weekend and lots of wins! Look out for his Unibet Blog for tips and follow him on social media for updates. For blogs straight into your inbox, subscribe here.
Christmas is just around the corner and the highlight of the Jump Racing calendar is upon us at Sandown Park this weekend (3rd and 4th December). The Tingle Creek Festival is always a magical two days of high quality racing and is a great chance to spot your winners for the Cheltenham Festival next Spring. The Wine Tipster is excited to be presenting at Sandown this year in the fantastic award-winning Equus Restaurant where he will be talking food, drink and horse racing.
The Opening Day – Tingle Creek Friday 3rd December
Today’s 6 race card is a must watch from start to finish, with the Grade Two Winter Novices’ Hurdle headlining the day. The Wine Tipster is looking out for Mahler’s Promise, who is a superb jumper and has good course form in the 1.50 Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase. In the Grade Two Ballymore Winter Novices’ Hurdle at 2.25 Harper’s Brook, who was really impressive when winning a Novice Hurdle at Carlisle on seasonal debut, looks open to plenty of improvement, whilst in the 3.00 Handicap Chase One True King can strike for the inform Nigel Twiston-Davies team. In the final race of the day the Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle Mr Harp, off bottom weight, has been overlooked. He put in some good performances last season when winning at Uttoxeter and then running well at Warwick in a hot Handicap Hurdle. Mr Harp will come on plenty from his seasonal debut at Ffos Las.
Watch the racing on Racing TV and ITV4.
Tingle Creek Saturday 4th December
Saturday is a storming race day with two Grade One races on the card – The Henry VIII Novices’ Chase and The Tingle Creek Chase which is 1 mile 7 furlongs and 119 yards, has 13 fences, and 52 years of history. It is named in honour of the great National Hunt racehorse from the 1970s who won the Sandown Park Pattern Handicap Chase 3 times.
One of The Wine Tipster’s favourite racing moments of all time was the 2018 Tingle Creek Chase which was run in appalling conditions but Altior and Un De Sceaux raced heroically with Altior just taking the win. An emotionally charged day for all watching, here’s hoping to some more racing history moments at this year’s Tingle Creek.
Check out his Unibet Racing blog for selections and includes the top races from Aintree too.
Watch the racing on Racing TV and ITV4.
Celebrating In Style
Get ready for Christmas at the Tingle Creek Festival this year with hospitality and entertainment to get you in the festive spirit. Join The Wine Tipster in the Equus Restaurant for a stunning view of the racecourse and top quality hospitality.
It’s wine time, and the perfect accompaniment to the races, whether at home or at Sandown Park, is a glass of the wonderful Louis M Martini Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 from Sonoma, California. This wine just shows how brilliant Cabernet Sauvignon from California can be, with intense dark fruit flavours and spicy and herbal notes (available from The Great Wine Co. £22).
Staying in California, the Bogle Chardonnay 2019, is a lovely balance of creamy and buttery flavours, with gentle oaky notes and attractive crisp acidity (also available from The Great Wine Co. £16.50).
For those of you looking for a glass of bubbly then try the Ruggeri Prosecco DOC Rosé Millesimato 2020 Brut from Treviso in the Veneto region of North-East Italy. Their white Ruggeri Prosecco DOC Argeo Brut, Treviso also has a lovely freshness, with citrus fruit and good acidity too. Both available from the Great Wine Co. (Rosé £13.95, white £11.10 on offer).
Here’s to another smashing Tingle Creek Festival – keep up with The Wine Tipster over the weekend via Social Media, and share how you’re celebrating the meeting. Cheers!
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