Horse racing fans are in for a treat over the next few weeks, with the festive schedule packed with a host of top-class races in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
The Christmas period is always a busy time for online sportsbooks, with experienced bettors and novice punters eager to indulge in some wagering action.
With that in mind, we have scoured the entries to come up with five selections we believe can deliver a winning return on the top horse racing betting sites during the holiday season.
Facile Vega – Racing Post Novice Chase – Leopardstown – December 26
Facile Vega did not impress everyone on his chasing debut at Navan last month, with the horse taking some time to warm to his task before easing clear of his rivals.
However, trainer Willie Mullins is unlikely to have had the horse fully tuned up and he will likely be a different proposition in the Racing Post Novice Chase at Leopardstown on Boxing Day.
Facile Vega is among the favourites for the Arkle Novices’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March and will need to run well on his next outing to justify that status.
Bravemansgame – King George VI Chase – Kempton – December 26
Plenty of punters had their fingers burnt when Bravemansgame finished second behind Royal Pagaille in the Betfair Chase at Haydock last month.
Trainer Paul Nicholls made no excuses after the race, but tipped the eight-year-old to bounce back to winning ways in the King George VI Chase at Kempton.
The horse is bidding to win the race for the second successive year and it would be no surprise to see him get the job done at a course that suits his running style.
Ile Atlantique – Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle – Leopardstown – December 27
Ile Atlantique was a hugely impressive winner of a maiden hurdle at Gowran Park in November, sparking talk that he could be a potential Cheltenham Festival contender.
The form has since been franked, which makes odds of 10/1 to win the Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown look extremely tempting.
Ile Atlantique is owned by Brighton & Hove Albion owner Tony Bloom, who has landed several sizeable gambles with horses he has in training with the Mullins stable.
Irish Point – Jack De Bromhead Christmas Hurdle – Leopardstown – December 28
Trainer Gordon Elliott has been in fine form in recent weeks and looks certain to enjoy a productive time of things over the festive period.
His Irish Point could be tough to beat in the Jack De Bromhead Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown, with the step up to three miles likely to benefit the five-year-old.
Irish Point gave 13lbs and a length and three-quarter beating to Magical Zoe at Down Royal last month and looks to be a horse with plenty of potential.
Corbetts Cross – Neville Hotels Novice Chase – Leopardstown – December 29
Corbetts Cross was the 9/4 favourite for last season’s Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, but crashed through the wing of the final flight when coming to win the race.
He was subsequently disappointing on his chasing debut at Naas last month, but bounced back to form in tremendous style with a cosy victory at Fairyhouse in early December.
The Neville Hotels Novice Chase at Leopardstown is next on the agenda for Corbetts Cross and odds of 11/4 look a tempting proposition given the manner of that victory.
