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.

What a Saturday of racing coming up with the second day of the Tingle Creek Festival, the Unibet Becher Handicap Chase at Aintree over the National fences and twice Grand National winner Tiger Roll making his seasonal debut in the Unibet Many Clouds Chase, with the cross country at Cheltenham looking his key target. Ground conditions look likely to get much more testing at Aintree and Native River Unibet 17/8 in the Unibet Many Clouds Chase can make this a true stamina test and fend off favourite Protektorat and Imperial Aura.     

At Sandown in the Henry VIII Novices Chase, Third Time Lucki, one of my Ten To Follow, has won twice at Cheltenham this season over fences and can make it three on the bounce at Unibet 6/4 to beat easy Newbury winner last weekend Il Ridoto and Edwardstone.

The Tingle Creek is one of my races of the year and I’m looking forward to seeing Chacun Pour Soi, Nube Negra and Greaneteen renew rivalry at one of my favourite racecourses.  

Enjoy whether #athome or at the races.

See you at Sandown.

Cheers

The Wine Tipster

2.25 Sandown – Tingle Creek Chase Grade 1 (1m 7½f)

Nube Negra at The Festival finished an unlucky second to Put The Kettle On in the Champion Chase, with Chacun Pour Soi back in third. Admittedly Chacun Pour Soi was then superb in the Champion Chase at Punchestown, with Nube Negra delivering a below par performance back in third. However, on seasonal debut at Cheltenham in the Shloer Chase Nube Negra (tipped in my Unibet blog) he showed he was still improving when beating Politologue by six lengths. Nube Negra can step up again and the ground conditions of good, good to soft in places with little rain forecast look much more in his favour.

Unibet 17/8 win

2.40 Aintree – Unibet Becher Handicap Chase (National Fences) (3m 2f)

Snow Leopardess (nap) has never fallen in her career, is a fine jumper and has a strong chance if adapting to these unique fences, which looks likely. She won well on seasonal debut last month at Bangor on soft going, beating Windsor Avenue over three miles when delivering a career best. Last season this grey won a Class 2 at Haydock half a furlong short of today’s trip, was second in a Roland Meyrick at Wetherby and finished fourth in the National Hunt Chase to Galvin at The Festival over three miles six furlongs. She will handle more testing conditions, with rain currently forecast and Snow Leopardess, who is having her eighth chase start, has more progress to come.

Unibet 11/2 win

Achille is another good jumper and can run a big race on seasonal debut for Venetia Williams, who showed last week with Cloudy Glen, that her string can win competitive races after an absence. This

grey has been relatively lightly raced in recent years for the yard and came back after a 427 break to finish second in the Classic Chase at Warwick this year. He was then runner-up to Lord Mesnil in the Grand National Trial at Haydock, when just touched off, ahead of finishing sixth in the Midlands Grand National on his last start in March. Three of his four chase wins have been over three miles and he obviously has the stamina too in what looks likely to be a testing renewal.

Unibet 12/1 each way    

3.00 Sandown – London National Handicap Chase (3m 4f)

Christmas In April, for the resurgent Tizzard team, looked in good order last time out when runner-up at Carlisle behind the still-improving Hold That Taught, trying to give him 6lb after racing enthusiastically throughout. Back in May, on his penultimate start, he won in good style at Newton Abbot beating Highest Sun. He faced mission impossible, looking back, when trying to give Cloudy Glen weight in the Southern National last year. Christmas In April come here in good form and will go well.

Unibet 15/2 each way

3.15 Aintree – Unibet 2021 Horserace Betting Operator Of The Year Handicap Hurdle (2m 4f)

Tamar Bridge made it three wins from four starts when easily winning on his seasonal reappearance at Wetherby in a novice hurdle for the inform Olly Murphy team at the end of October. He had previously beaten Bass Rock in a match in the heavy at Ayr, with the runner-up third to Dans Le Vent in the Stayers’ Hurdle on Haydock’s big jumps day last month this is good form. Tamar Bridge runs off a favourable looking mark of 128 and is proven in testing conditions if the forecast rain comes.

Unibet 7/2 win

3.35 Sandown – December Handicap Hurdle Listed (2m)

Heure De Glorie, a four-year-old filly by Kapgarde, is worth an each way wager off bottom weight (three pounds out of the handicap) on Handicap debut. Heure De Glorie won on debut in France and then finished second to Bellatrixsa at Huntingdon in March when travelling well for a long way. She has had a wind op; ground will be fine, and this filly is an interesting runner.

Unibet 16/1 each way 

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!

The Jump Season is already into its stride and we have seen some eye-catching performances already. Here, The Wine Tipster shares his top 10 horses to follow this Jump Season. Some of these have already had their seasonal debut, others to race very soon.

Hurdlers

Hillcrest (Henry Daly)

Hillcrest is such an impressive looking individual and this highly regarded type surely has plenty of improvement to come this season. In his two bumpers he finished second first time out to Wiseguy and then beat Armand De Brignac, with Harper’s Brook in third, who won at Carlisle on seasonal debut. There is no doubt that Hillcrest is seen as having a very bright future by his trainer and it would be great to see him do so well for the late Trevor Hemmings. He is entered at Aintree on Saturday.

Soaring Glory (Jonjo O’Neill)

Soaring Glory looked the real deal when winning Newbury’s big February handicap and then didn’t quite hit the level in the Supreme at Cheltenham when fourth to the top class Appreciate It. However, he bounced right back at Ascot on Saturday when winning the London Handicap Hurdle Listed Race when tipped up in my Unibet column. This six-year-old looked very visually impressive after his Summer break and beat a good field with something in hand after looking the winner someway out. Jonjo O’Neill might run Soaring Glory at the Cheltenham November Meeting, although more likely at Newbury at the end of the month.

Nightboattoclyro (Sam Drinkwater)

Very well backed on seasonal reappearance last year and beat Hooper fair and square with form that looks very good now and after two more wins at Chepstow and Wetherby before he lost his form (although still running respectably) in the Spring. Only had the nine hurdles starts – winning four of them – and gives the impression there’s still more to come when stepped up in trip slightly. Watch for him first time up, especially if the ground is on the soft side. 

Bear Ghylls (Nicky Martin)

It’s possible, given his size, that he might go chasing this year but his jumping, to an extent, held him back a bit last year and if that can be tidied up a bit there’s still some good races to be won with him over hurdles this season. Ready winner of first three starts before his jumping again cost him a place in the Ballymore but he kept trying all the way to the line regardless, and it would be no surprise if he stepped up in trip this year. Exciting prospect, whatever discipline connections decide to go for. 

Peking Rose (Fergal O’Brien)

Unusually for them, connections have taken their time with him (presumably because he’s a bit weak) and that could pay off this season. Good fourth in an Ascot bumper and then better still when second to Knappers Hill at Aintree, doing a lot of good late work under patient tactics and looked very much like 2m4f+ will suit him as a novice this year. Peking Rose was third on seasonal debut at Ascot to Kandoo Kid and will step up from that performance as he has loads to come as he strengthens up. 

---

Chasers

Beatthebullett (Rebecca Curtis)

Lovely, big gelding that made a good impression when successful at Hereford over hurdles last November and, when given time to get over that, ran better than finishing position suggested at Haydock showing up well for a long way before getting tired. Thrown in at deep end in the Albert Bartlett, unsurprisingly tailed off but I’d expect him to improve a lot for fences this year (has won two Irish points) and can see him making up into one of the better novice chasers. 

Quinta Do Mar (Ben Pauling)

Scopey, good-looking gelding that stood out in the paddock at both Market Rasen and Ludlow last year, successful in the latter and should have won at Market Rasen but maybe jockey kicked on too soon and he was caught late on. Not disgraced on handicap debut at Cheltenham, fell last when still in touch and, as unexposed as he is, has plenty of potential for fences this season. Quinta Do Mar won a Handicap Hurdle at Carlisle on seasonal reappearance in October going away from Onehundredpercent when ridden very confidently. There is plenty more to come here.

Third Time Lucki (Dan Skelton)

Third Time Lucki was so eye-catching at The Showcase Meeting at Cheltenham on ground that was definitely on the quick side. He pulled himself to the front and won so comfortably after jumping in great style on chasing debut. Last season he had seven starts and will be campaigned differently this term with the Arkle in March the target.

Onchan (Nigel Twiston-Davies)

Lovely, lengthy sort that’s made for fences (is a full brother to Lord Windermere, amongst others); in truth, disappointing that he couldn’t get off the mark over hurdles but had issues (treated for post-race ataxia on one occasion) and maybe final Ludlow run was one too many for the year, but you’d expect him to do a lot better over fences, given that pedigree and his size, so too soon to be giving up on him yet. He is entered at Aintree on Saturday.

Any News (Neil Mulholland)

Looked very useful in bumpers/novice hurdles early in career but things didn’t go his way last year. However, the fact that he was thrown in at the deep end shows what they thought he was capable of and he travelled as well as anything in the Swinton and he lost nothing in defeat to a race-fit rival at Warwick last week with things again not going his way. He remains with the potential to make up into a very useful chaser if he can keep his exuberance in check (wore red hood at Warwick, keen). On seasonal debut Any News was third at Cheltenham behind Third Time Lucki, who is Arkle bound, when running on and can build on that performance.

---

Keep up to date with The Wine Tipster’s tips throughout Jump Season with his Unibet Racing blog and across his Social Media. For more racing, wine and hospitality content, subscribe to get the next blog straight to your inbox.

As we approach Midsummer’s Day, Royal Ascot arrives in style on the 15th-19th June. A pinnacle of British horseracing, Royal Ascot is synonymous with style, prestige and, of course, Her Majesty The Queen. Whether you are celebrating At Home or In Person, The Wine Tipster has all the tips and tricks for making this year’s Royal Ascot unforgettable.

Since the introduction of The Gold Cup in 1807, Royal Ascot has stormed into the history books as Britain’s most valuable race meeting where the world’s finest talent competes for over £7 million of prize money. Each of the five days are opened by a Royal Procession, a tradition started by King George IV and which continues to this day.

This year, The Wine Tipster is especially excited for the top races on all five days of the meeting:

Tuesday 15th June

• 2:30 Queen Anne Stakes Group 1, 1m, 4yo+, ITV
• 3.05 Coventry Stakes Group 2, 6f, 2yo ITV
• 3:40 The King’s Stand Stakes Group 1, 1m, 3yo+, ITV
• 4:20 The St James’ Palace Stakes Group 1, 1m, 3yo colts, ITV4
• 5:00 Ascot Stakes Handicap, Class 2, 2m3f, 4yo+, ITV4
• 5:35 Wolferton Stakes, Listed Race, Class 1, 1m1f, 4yo+, ITV4
• 6:10 Copper Horse Stakes Handicap, Class 2, 1m6f, 4yo+, ITV4

Wednesday 16th June

• 2:30 Queen Mary Stakes Group 2, 5f, 2yo, ITV
• 3:05 Queen’s Vase Group 2, 1m6f, 3yo, ITV
• 3:40 Duke of Cambridge Stakes Group 2, 1m, 4yo+ fillies and mares, ITV
• 4:20 The Prince of Wales’ Stakes Group 1, 1m2f, 4yo+, ITV
• 5:00 Royal Hunt Cup, Heritage Handicap, 1m, 3yo+, ITV
• 5:35 Windsor Castle Stakes Listed Race, 5f, 2yo, ITV
• 6:10 Kensington Palace Stakes Heritage Handicap, 1m, 4yo+ ITV4

Thursday 17th June

• 2:30 Norfolk Stakes Group 2, 5f, 2yo, ITV4
• 3:05 Hampton Court Stakes Group 3, 1m2f, 3yo, ITV4
• 3:40 Ribblesdale Stakes Group 2, 1m4f, 3yo fillies, ITV4
• 4:15 Ascot Gold Cup Group 1, 2m4f, 4yo+, ITV
• 5:00 Britannia Stakes Heritage Handicap, 1m, 3yo colts and geldings, ITV4
• 5:35 King George V Stakes Handicap, 1m4f, 3yo, ITV4
• 6:10 Buckingham Palace Stakes Handicap, 7f, 3yo+, ITV4

Friday 18th June

• 2:30 Albany Stakes Group 3, 6f, 2yo fillies, ITV
• 3:05 King Edward VII Stakes Group 2, 1m4f, 3yo colts and geldings, ITV
• 3:40 Commonwealth Cup Group 1, 6f, 3yo colts and fillies, ITV
• 4:20 Coronation Stakes Group 1, 1m, 3yo fillies, ITV
• 5:00 Sandringham Stakes Handicap, 1m, 3yo fillies, ITV
• 5:35 Duke of Edinburgh Stakes Handicap, 1m4f 3yo+, ITV
• 6:10 Palace of Holyroodhouse Stakes Handicap, 5f, 3yo, ITV4

Saturday 19th June

• 2:30 Chesham Stakes Listed Race, 7f, 2yo, ITV
• 3:05 Jersey Stakes Group 3, 7f, 3yo, ITV
• 3:40 Hardwicke Stakes Group 2, 1m4f, 4yo+, ITV
• 4:20 Diamond Jubilee Stakes Group 1, 6f, 4yo+, ITV4
• 5:00 Wokingham Stakes Heritage Handicap, 6f, 3yo+, ITV4
• 5:35 Golden Gates Stakes Handicap, 1m2f, 3yo, ITV4
• 6:10 Queen Alexandra Stakes 2m6f, 4yo+, ITV4

To get your bets in, look out for The Wine Tipster’s Unibet Racing blogs for each day of the meeting.

At Ascot

Hospitality is a huge part of the raceday experience, and Ascot typically sees more than 6500 temporary staff join the team to provide the top quality service punters come for. For those on the course this year, you are spoiled for choice with the 5 magnificent fine dining experiences available. Managing Director of 1711 by Ascot, Jonathan Parker, can’t wait to welcome diners back for a memorable Ascot experience. This year, for the special return to racing, there is a Michelin-star studded array of chefs offering the finest gastronomic experiences for the Royal Meeting.

Two Michelin-star chef and Ascot regular, Raymond Blanc OBE will once again be in the Panoramic Restaurant in the Royal Enclosure. His 2021 menu showcases the best of British produce.

For a third year, five Michelin-star chef Simon Rogan will once again be bringing his impeccable standards and sustainability practices to the course. His innovative and delicious menu will be available in the award-winning ON 5 in the Queen Anne Enclosure.

For a brand new dining experience this year, Ollie Dabbous will provide racegoers in The Wolferton on the Trackside Lawns of the Queen Anne Enclosure with an interactive private table experience for a memorable Ascot.

Especially for the 2021 meeting, Rick Stein’s classic summer seafood dishes will make their Ascot debut. This is set to be another spectacular Royal Ascot.

Heralded as the home of raceday elegance, the chance for racegoers to dress to the nines is too exciting an opportunity to pass. The Royal Ascot style guide is a must whether at Ascot or At Home. This year’s 10th Anniversary Royal Ascot Style Guide also celebrates sustainability and the art of conscious shopping as it launches for 2021 in association with Swiss watch brand Longines. In association with Fenwick, the Official Royal Ascot Millinery Sponsor, the 2021 Royal Ascot Millinery Collective is full of high fashion inspiration.

Don’t forget to check the dress code for each enclosure.

At Home

This year, the total maximum capacity for racegoers on all racecourses is 4000 per day, so many will still be celebrating at home. To make life easier, The Royal Ascot Celebration Pack is the perfect way to make celebrating Ascot At Home easy and fun for up to 4 people. Buy yours here in time for the meeting. Check out the Ascot Shop to kit you and your families out with Ascot souvenirs for this and years to come!

You don’t have to miss out on the elegance and style of Ascot while at home, thanks to the Royal Ascot style guide packed full of inspiration for the track or at home. Why not try making your own hat with expert guidance from milliner Awon Golding.

Entertain children (or keen adults) with the Royal Ascot Children’s Activities downloads, and the Royal Ascot History Bingo is a fun way to learn about this momentous meeting.

Over 13,000 flowers are grown each year to ensure the racecourse is fit for royalty. The Royal Ascot Garden Guide has top tips for how to achieve exquisite blooms such as The Queen Anne Rose and how to create beautiful hanging baskets. The Queen Anne Rose was named to celebrate the tercentenary of Ascot Racecourse founded by Queen Anne in 1711 and are now planted all along the track in front of the Grandstand.

Put the fine into fine dining at home thanks to Ascot’s afternoon tea and picnic hampers (from £89.50). Their great selection of traditional afternoon tea and picnic hampers, as well as cocktail boxes, are available to pre-order for nationwide delivery and will be delivered in fully sustainable cardboard containers or premium, Royal Ascot wicker hampers. This can be a guilt-free treat as £5 for each two-person hamper sold and £10 for each six-person hamper sold will be donated to The Tri-Forces charities.

This year, Moët & Chandon’s 10 delicious afternoon tea recipes are also available to download here, provided by Ascot’s Culinary Director Ben Dutson and Executive Chef Gemma Amor who do amazing work across the whole racecourse to make sure every dining experience is to the highest of standards.

To create your own Fine Dining experience at home, 10 recipes from Raymond Blanc OBE and Ben Dutson, Ascot’s Culinary Director, are compiled in the great Royal Ascot Food and Drink Guide. The Wine Tipster is especially excited to make the delicious Coronation Chicken with the Plant-Based Gnocchi with Carrot-Top Pesto and Prosociano.

For the perfect cocktail to accompany Royal Ascot, take your pick from the Food and Drink Guide‘s impressive cocktail selection, developed with Pernod Ricard, Official Spirits of Royal Ascot. The Wine Tipster can’t wait to pair a refreshing Lillet Summer Spritz or Royal Ascot Blush with the summery gnocchi.

On to the wine, and the Ascot Wine Club is stocked full of The Wine Tipster’s favourites, such as the ‘Gris Blanc’, Gérard Bertrand, Pays d’Oc, France 2020, Gavi del Commune di Gavi ‘Fossili’, San Silvestro, Italy 2019 and Malbec, ‘Estate’, Doña Paula, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina 2018.

The Wine Tipster also loves the following bottles for Royal Ascot at Home:

The Wine Tipster hopes that whether you are celebrating Royal Ascot 2021 in person or at home that you have a most wonderful week and some 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.

Tweets by TheWineTipster

The Epsom Derby Festival is a chance to see three-year old horses make history with the two classics the Oaks and the Derby. With its strict age restrictions, this really is an exciting meeting where horses must demonstrate speed, stamina and good balance on one of the steepest courses in the country. Whether you have secured a coveted Derby ticket or are making your front room an exclusive enclosure, you will undoubtedly witness history being written before your eyes. Let The Wine Tipster guide you through his tips for the Cazoo Derby Festival.

Legend has it that the 12th Earl of Derby and Sir Charles Bunbury spun a coin as to whether the race should be called the Derby Stakes or the Bunbury Stakes. Nearly 250 years later, we are still celebrating this impressive meeting of the finest three year old colts and fillies.

Both days offer the highest quality of racing. On Oaks Day the Coronation Cup (Group 1) and Cazoo Oaks (Group 1) headline a quality card. In this year’s Coronation Cup Al Aasy is deservedly favourite after looking so impressive last time out at Newbury, whilst in the Cazoo Oaks the Aidan O’ Brien trained Santa Barbara will be make significant progress after her fourth in the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket.

Derby Day’s Cazoo Derby (Group 1) is a fascinating renewal this year with Aidan O’Brien surprising everyone with one runner only with favourite Bolshoi Ballet, who looked so dominate in his Derby Trial at Leopardstown. John Leeper, named after John Dunlop, would be a poignant winner for his son Ed Dunlop, with Frankie Dettori now in the plate. Mohaafeth looks a raw talent, who has impressed on his last two starts at Newmarket, although he has to show he can make the step up here in this Group 1.

The Wine Tipster is excited to be at Epsom Downs for this return to spectator racing with crowds of 4,000 each day. On Thursday, the final preparation day, it was great to be on course and see lots of hospitality colleagues too.

Catch all the races on ITV Racing and RacingTV. If you missed any of the action, Racing Replays are available here. For all his Epsom Derby tips, keep up with The Wine Tipster’s Unibet Racing Blog here.

Derby Hospitality

Alongside the finest racing talent, Epsom is synonymous with outstanding hospitality. With over 400 people working across the racecourse in hospitality, this meeting really is a chance to celebrate this wonderful industry. For those lucky few with a Derby ticket, make sure to plan your day including downloading The Jockey Club App. All food at onsite hospitality venues will be ordered through this.

The Wine Tipster’s personal hospitality favourite is Chez Roux at the Blue Riband Restaurant, which is always an exquisite fine dining experience. The panoramic views overlooking the Parade Ring, Winner’s Enclosure and the Winning Post, alongside the wondrous offerings of the Roux family, make for a memorable Epsom experience. Look out for The Wine Tipster and Michel Roux Jr on ITV this weekend.

Epsom Chef Rhys Owen is also a huge part of the raceday hospitality, providing superb food across the hospitality venues.

Many of the venues offer an afternoon tea which is easily replicated at home with some top quality scones, cucumber and smoked salmon sandwiches and lots of strawberries.

Wines Fit For The Derby

On offer across the racecourse is the Moët & Chandon 2012 Grand Vintage Brut, Champagne, France (Around £50 – £55 Majestic, Ocado, other retailers). This a brilliant vintage and such a great style which would be perfect for an afternoon tea at home as well as on the course. A wonderful limited edition cocktail featuring Moët & Chandon Rosé is The Strongman’s Little Rituals. This labour-intensive cocktail includes a rich, creamy custard made with Glenmorangie 10yo Whiskey, mixed with Rhubarb Wine, Moët & Chandon Rosé and Soda. To get your taste-buds around this amazing concoction, order it pre-made here (£12.50).

For a top fizz from closer to home, the Coates & Seely Brut Reserve NV, Hampshire (£32.95 Coates & Seely online and Lea Sandeman) is an impressive option. Brut Reserve is a very stylish blend of mainly Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, with 10% Pinot Meunier that makes for a deep and and complex English fizz. Coates & Seely as they are currently expanding their 30 acres of vineyards so it’s an exciting time to enjoy a bottle!

If Rosé is your tipple of choice then you’re in luck as the release of Prosecco DOC Rosé late last year means we can now enjoy high quality bubbles in a refreshing pink style. Why not try the La Gioiosa Prosecco DOC Rosé Millesimato (£8.99 from Majestic, Waitrose and £12.99 from Ocado) which is a perfect dry example of this innovative wine. Fresh and fun, this pairs beautifully with summer food like salads and berry desserts.

On to the still wines now. If you’re looking for an affordable accompaniment to the Derby then the Castellore Pecorino 2020, Italy (£5.99 from Aldi) is a new favourite of The Wine Tipster. Its citrus and floral aromas make this a great value white for seafood and summer salad dishes.

Another impressive value wine from Aldi: the Bowler & Brolly English Rosé Cuvée 2020, Surrey, England (£8.99 Aldi) is a wonderfully vibrant rosé with summer fruits and crisp acidity, making it a go-to choice for any weekend.

Finally, the Cellier des Dauphins Les Dauphins Côtes du Rhône Villages 2019 (now £7.49 in Waitrose) really is a must-try red. Full of ripe summer berry aromas and rich spice and notes make this a classic Rhône.

Soft drinks don’t have to be boring! Luscombe have an impressive range of fruity and fun still and sparkling drinks and tonic, which work well with slices of fruit and ice or with a splash of Racing Gin (£37.99).

Celebrating At Home

After a year of At Home racing, many of us have come up with some exciting ways to bring the buzz of the racecourse to our front rooms. Last year’s Derby celebrations were no exception, and are a great source of inspiration for this year’s Festival.

The Garden Party activity pack from The Jockey Club is also packed full of recipes, bunting, games, selfie props and fun for a memorable Derby. In particular, The Wine Tipster is looking forward to making Homemade Lemonade and the famous Derby Spritz Cocktail. To make this, fill a large glass with ice. Adding 50ml Pink Gin and 50ml Lemonade. Top up with 25ml Prosecco DOC and a splash of lemon juice before garnishing with halved strawberries and enjoying!

Finally, whether you’re dressing up at home or in person, you may be looking for some style inspiration, but look no further as ideas for your finest, most stylish outfit are here.

The Wine Tipster hopes that whether you are celebrating The Epsom Cazoo Derby Festival 2021 in person or at home that you have a most wonderful weekend and some wins! Look out for his Unibet Blog on Saturday for tips and follow him on social media for updates. For blogs straight into your inbox, subscribe here.

Tweets by TheWineTipster

Tweets by TheWineTipster

The countdown is over. The Cheltenham Festival is finally here, and The Wine Tipster is excited to make this year’s At Home Festival unforgettable for all the right reasons. Read on for top tipples to accompany you through the four days of unbeatable racing and how you can recreate the electric Roar of Cheltenham at home.

Cheltenham is synonymous with superb racing, and The Festival is the pinnacle of the Jump season. The Festival has been held at Cheltenham since 1911, and The Stayers’ Hurdle is the oldest championship race having first been run in 1912. Over its many successful years, the Festival has expanded from three days to four, and now boasts four days of seven-race cards, 14 Grade One races and some of the best horses, trainers and jockeys in the world. It really is Horseracing’s Olympics!

This year, The Festival is supporting the charity WellChild. WellChild is a national charity that gives sick children the best chance to thrive through support at home and for their families.

Celebrate in Style

To match the atmosphere and excitement of each day of racing, The Wine Tipster has chosen some Grade 1 wines and spirits to give you that wonderful Cheltenham experience at home:

Day One Tues 16 March

Kicking off The Festival is an incredible card of four Grade One races including the top class Unibet Champion Hurdle. Start your At Home Festival off with a bang with a Cheltenham Sponsor, Nyetimber. Their world-renowned English Sparkling Wine is meticulously crafted in West Sussex, Hampshire and Kent, Their Classic Cuvée MV is a wonderfully elegant option for the start of The Festival. Pair it with smoked salmon blinis for a great aperitif.

For a touch of Pink at the start of Cheltenham, Château Léoube’s artisan organic wines are just the thing. Their award-winning Rosé de Léoube is a rosé for all seasons, full of mineral notes and fruit on the palate. Pair with a light lunch and you have yourself a winner.

Day Two Wed 17 March

As the going gets underway, there are seven classic races to really spoil punters. The Grade One Queen Mother Champion Chase is set to be an unmissable watch, as is the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase. Watch it with a Glenfarclas 15 year old Single Malt on the rocks. The rich history of this family owned business make for award-winning Sherry cask aged malts in the traditional Speyside way.

Day Three 18 March

Not one but three Grade 1 races make Thursday a truly magnificent day. Hold on to your Racing Gin & Tonic throughout the Marsh Novices’ Chase. Ryanair Chase and the Stayers’ Hurdle ! Racing Gin is a recent addition to the gin scene, but is perfect for race lovers. Featuring beautiful silks on the label, and with a herbaceous and floral taste, this gin is great with a classic tonic water or in any cocktail.

Gold Cup Day Fri 19 March

Saviour the outstanding Gold Cup Day – the pinnacle of the Cheltenham Festival. With the coveted Grade One WellChild Cheltenham Gold Cup featured as the Blue Riband of Jump racing, you’ll surely be wanting a bottle to match the magnificence of The Festival’s finale. Jack Mann Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 from Houghton Wines in the Swan Valley in Western Australia, pays homage to the great winemaker Jack Mann MBE, who shared a birthday with Gold Cup Day! It’s a rich and concentrated red with a pure Cabernet Sauvignon dark fruits, spicy, oaky notes and a wonderful long finish. Decant for a couple of hours beforehand, this is delicious with a Roast.

---

For more food pairing ideas, get inspired with world class hospitality recipes from The Jockey Club’s top chefs. All the dishes work well with the bottles here, and are a great way to get the Cheltenham Hospitality experience at home.

If you really want to bring Cheltenham home, get yourself an At Home Hamper! Brought to you by British Fine Foods, these luxury hampers come in three options, full of award-winning food from artisan producers across the UK. Each hamper comes with a different bottle to really make your At Home experience special. Order here in time for The Festival! 10% of each hamper sale will go to WellChild.

Be Raceday Ready

• Check out how to watch The Festival from home. ITV Racing and Racing TV will be showing The Festival, and if you miss any of the action, The Jockey Club’s Racing Replays are available 20 minutes after the winner crosses the line.
• The official racecard is available here with details of horses and jockeys available here.
• Find out more about each of the top quality races here.
• Put your racing knowledge to the test with The Ultimate Racing Quiz featuring Double Grand National-winning jockey Ruby Walsh and Gold Cup-winning Jockey and Festival legend Barry Geraghty
• The Race Results and Winners page will help in your revision for the quiz!
• Download The Jockey Club App with a digital racecard, live updates, competitions and the latest odds at your fingertips.
• Check out the latest editions of Kalendar Magazine between races
• Why not impress your friends and family with some top facts and stats!
• Got kids? Find some fun raceday activities for them to enjoy here – host a mini best dressed competition, make hats or turn your garden into a track!
• You can still dress the part from your home! Browse out The Jockey Club website for At Home Style inspiration.

However you choose to celebrate this superb meeting, share pictures and comments with The Wine Tipster on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook and make sure to follow him for daily updates and Unibet Racing Blogs.

Tweets by TheWineTipster

Jump Season is well underway, and as we await the return of The Festival at Cheltenham in the Spring, The November Meeting is where the magic really starts. As the biggest Jump racing fixture before Christmas, the November Meeting is unmissable. Celebrate this three day meeting with The Wine Tipster from the comfort of your own home this year.

Kick off the November Meeting with Wednesday night’s Preview Evening hosted by Tom Nugent featuring Ruby Walsh, Paddy Power, ITV Racing, Mick Fitzgerald and Emma Lavelle. Join the panel at 8pm via Zoom as they chat through the racecards and horses to watch out for.

Countryside Day – Friday 13th Nov

Starting the Meeting in style, Countryside Day features 6 amazing races including The Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Steeple Chase at 3:00 – a must see for all Cross Country fans, and a great excuse for a Glenfarclas Whiskey to accompany it! The 1:50 Handicap Chase is another great Class 2 race. For the full race schedule check out the Cheltenham Website here, and for a line up of horses, see Racing Post here.

Saturday 14th November

Featuring the iconic 2:15 Gold Cup Steeple Chase and 6 other quality races, Saturday’s racecard is spectacular. The Wine Tipster is looking forward to the 12:30 JCB Triumph Hurdle Trial and the 1:40 Arkle Challenge Trophy Trial Novices Steeple Chase, both of which highlight the top racing talent who will go on to The Festival in March.

Tune in to races live on ITV Racing across all three days, or on Racing TV. Race Replays are also available 20 minutes after the winner crosses the line, and is a great way to watch racing highlights from over the years. Check the November Meeting results here!

Sunday 15th November

The final day of the meeting, and the last chance to see the thrilling races such as the 1:15 Novices’ Steeple Chase, the 2:25 Shloer Steeplechase (another great excuse for a drink with a Shloer mixer!), the unmissable Unibet Greatwood Hurdle Race at 3:00, the 3:35 Supreme Trial Novices’ Hurdle Race and the 4:05 Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race which is a great quality flat race this time of year.

November Meeting At Home

With racing remaining behind closed doors, The Jockey Club and the Wine Tipster have an array of ways to celebrate the meeting in style from the Jump Season Hub.

• See Claisse’s Corner for all course updates and the Going video ahead of racing each morning.
• Read Kalendar Magazine from The Jockey Club South West, full of great interviews with top jockeys such as Jonjo O’Neill Jr and his father Jonjo O’Neill Snr and Cheltenham Racecourse Director Zara Tindall MBE.
• Why not train like a jockey with an online Barre Class from Torre Barre, starting 15th November.
• You could host a Cheltenham Countryside Raceday Lunch at home on Friday 13th November whilst making a donation to the Countryside Alliance for The Great British Get Together. Share your pics with the hashtags #Chelfie and #gbgettogether with @CheltenhamRaces.
• Got kids to entertain? Why not include them in the raceday fun with an activity pack! Full of wordsearches, colouring pages and facts, you might even find yourself tempted to print one too!

Nyetimber Classic Cuvée MV, Sussex (Waitrose £36.99, Majestic)

To celebrate a winner or two enjoy a glass of bubbly from Nyetimber, who produce Grade 1 English Sparkling. Their dry, Classic Cuvée MV is a beautiful blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, with a lovely balance of intensity and elegance. Winemaker Cherie Spriggs is making wonderful wines so look to try to try their Nyetimber Rosé NV too from Waitrose at £39.99.

Les Dauphins Côtes du Rhône Blanc 2018, Rhône, France (£8.00 in Asda and Tesco)

This blend of Grenache Blanc and Viognier is great value and so versatile. Les Dauphins made by leading Rhône producer Cellier des Dauphins has fruity notes of apricot and peach, complemented by ripe fruitiness and lovely smoothness. Great as an aperitif, with salads, seafood and chicken in a creamy sauce.  

Château Léoube Rosé 2019, Provence, France, (Daylesford shop £17.95) 

Provence in Southern France is the obvious place to go for classic pale pink, lighter styles of rosé. Château Léoube is very delicate and elegant and this dry organic rosé is lovely on its own or with some salmon, seafood or cheese. Château Léoube has the most fantastic location and they also produce beautiful olive oil available at Daylesford too.  Lord and Lady Bamford, owners of Château Léoube and Daylesford, are big horse racing fans and owners.  

St. Hallett ‘Faith’ Shiraz 2018, Barossa Valley, Australia (£16.99 and £14.99 mixed case of six Stockist: Majestic)

This is classic Barossa Valley Shiraz with bold flavours of pepper, plums with herbaceous and savoury character too, whilst never being too heavy on the palate this is a wine to savour. Great with a roast or full flavoured vegetarian dishes.

The Wine Tipster will be celebrating the day by pairing these bottles with a delicious local cheese, Rollright, pork pies from his local Butchers, and some top quality Severn & Wye Smoked Salmon.

As the Meeting ends on Sunday, why not celebrate with a classic Roast Dinner. Looking for some inspiration for your Sunday Roast? The Jockey Club’s Head Chef, Warren O’Connor, suggests Roast Sirloin and Crunchy Roast Potatoes here. This would go down a treat with any of the Red Wines mentioned above or in The Wine Tipster’s Autumnal Reds suggestions for The Jockey Club, available here.

The Wine Tipster hopes The November Meeting bring some much needed fun this Winter, and that you can enjoy it safely at home. Share how you celebrate with him on Social Media, and subscribe to his latest blogs here.

Read more

See The Wine Tipster Live

View dates and locations >