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Horseracing

24th Dec 2025

Paddock Picks – Our big tips for this week’s Christmas racing

Ryan Jarrett

Tis the season!

The Paddock podcast panel have provided their biggest tips for this week’s Christmas racing action.

The Paddock is a brand new weekly show bringing together some of the most legendary voices in racing.

This week on The Paddock, host Oli Bell is joined by fellow racing broadcasters Rishi Persad and Tom Stanley.

Now typically our pundits offer just three tips a week, but seeing as it’s Christmas, this time they’ve doubled up.

The Paddock is a show hosted by Oli Bell, with weekly episodes with the best tips, news, talking points and special guests from the world of horse racing. Catch The Paddock on YouTube, or listen on podcast – wherever you get your podcasts.

Thursday 26th December

Kempton 2.30 – Fact To File (Rishi Persad)

“Face To File will be the principal one. I’ve fancied it for the King George for a while so…”

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Friday 27th December

Kempton 1.20 – Della Casa Lunga (Oli Bell)

“She won the race 12 months ago. I thought she had a very encouraging run when third last time out. So she’s my fancy. She’s currently second favourite. I think she’ll go very very close.”

Chepstow 2.50 – Nassalam (Oli Bell)

“I’m gonna have one in the Welsh National as well then because it’s Christmas and it’s a massive prize and his form figures are currently letters. Nassalam. Who won the race, bolted up in the race a few years ago, hasn’t shown anything [since], but he’s well treated. And if he can return, well… From a prize point of view I’m willing to roll the dice at around about 33/1 on him. Very small each way bet but he definitely can do it if he wants to but that’s the big question.”

Chepstow 2.50 – Git Maker (Nick Luck)

“I was just gonna play the straight bat and go for Konfusion in the Rowland Merrick at Wetherby who I think is the obvious one and I think he will win. But at a slightly bigger price, how about Git Maker in the Welsh National. Think he’s just in the right slot in the handicap. Good comeback run… He’ll do it for me.”

Chepstow 2.50 – Dom Of Mary (Rishi Persad)

“I’m looking forward to Dom of Mary in the Welsh National. He’s had two runs for James Owen now. Was third on his first run for the stable, and then won last time out. It’s a James Owen project, and I know David Bridgewater did quite well with him but I think even though he’s nine, he’s got a little more under James Owen. So I thought he’s about 16/1. I’ve backed him already.”