The festive horse racing season is now upon us. If you’ve got room after all the turkey, mince pies and chocolate, horse racing betting sites are ready to serve up a feast of jumps action. Eleven meetings in total are scheduled for Boxing Day, with 76 UK and Irish horse races taking place.

Key Races this Festive Period

Savills Chase Betting Odds – 2:25 (28^th December) – Leopardstown

There’s plenty of graded action at Leopardstown over the Christmas, but the standout is the Savills Chase. The race that used to be called the Lexus Chase has produced winners such as Denman, Best Mate, Bobs Worth and A Plus Tard. With any or all of Galopin Des Champs, Fastorslow, Gerri Colombe and Envoi Allen lining up for the race, it has the potential to be a Christmas cracker.

Savills Chase Tips

Appreciate It split two of the market principles in Fastorslow and Galopin Des Champs last time out at Punchestown and wasn't stopping late on. He looks a great each way bet at 11/1 with Bet365.

For more tips on today's racing read our full daily horse racing tips column.

Welsh Grand National Betting Odds – 2:50 (27^th December) – Chepstow

The annual slog around Chepstow over further than three miles, six furlongs, the Welsh National often serves as a pointer to bigger and better things. Bindaree and Silver Birch won this before going on to win the Aintree Grand National. In more recent times, Synchronised and Native River were successful at Chepstow before winning the Cheltenham Gold Cup just over a year later. Super Survivor heads the betting at the time of writing and appears to tick a lot of boxes. 

Welsh Grand National Betting Tips

The Welsh Grand National is one of the biggest betting races of the year, our resident tipster has put up Truckers Lodge at 12/1 for the big race. To find out why read our full daily horse racing tips column.

The big races extend beyond that, though, with courses such as Chepstow hosting the Welsh Grand National on the 27^th, and Leopardstown’s Christmas Festival running until the 29^th. Of course, here at Bookies.com, you will find the best free bets from top UK betting sites. 

We’ve also highlighted some of the best races to keep an eye on over the Christmas period, providing odds and the runners to watch.

King George VI Chase Betting Odds – 2:30 (Boxing Day) – Kempton

For many punters at UK betting sites, betting on the King George is an annual tradition. In recent times, Kauto Star and Silviniaco Conti have flown the flag for Ditcheat, winning the race seven times between them. Bravemansgame heads the Paul Nicholls entries this year, but he’ll face stern opposition, perhaps mostly in the form of Allaho. Willie Mullins’ horse has been tried sparingly at three miles over fences but will take all the beating in this. 

King George IV Chase Betting Tips

With question marks around the preparations for the King George of the top 3 in the market, it might pay to take a chance with one at a bigger price. With the ground in Hewick's favour finally for a big race it could be his time to pick up a big prize on this side of the pond. 11/1 available with Bet365 he's well worth taking a chance on.

Christmas Hurdle Betting Odds– 1:55 (Boxing Day) – Kempton

All eyes will be on Constitution Hill in this. Having recently missed the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle, he’ll look to wow fans and punters alike with another dazzling display. There’s nothing entered in the race that’s rated within 25 pounds of Nicky Henderson’s stable star, and all being well, he should be on course for a seventh straight Grade 1 victory. 

Formby Novices’ Hurdle – 1:05 (Boxing Day) – Aintree

Formerly known as the Tolworth Hurdle, this year’s renewal isn’t short on intriguing storylines. Former jockey Paul Robson appears to have a good horse on his hands in the form of Cannock Park, who looks to give the Fledgling trainer a first Grade 1 win. July Flower is a rare French raider and comes into this on the back of a runner-up finish in an Auteuil Grade 1. The race is full of exciting novices, and it will be interesting to see which of them end up making the grade en route to the Cheltenham Festival in March. 

Best Christmas Horse Racing Free Bets 2023

These are some of our recommended horse racing free bets for this Christmas period. There are plenty of other horse racing betting offers available, though. Look out for price boosts, money back specials, first past the post offers, best odds guaranteed and more. You’ll find these at the best UK horse racing betting sites. 

Christmas Horse Racing Tips

As ever, Bookies.com has you covered when it comes to daily horse racing tips. Our racing expert, Tony McCormick, will have his best bets for UK and Irish horse racing every day over the festive period, just like every other day.