Ginger Joe's Notable Entries for the Christmas Racing

Racing fans, Notable Entries returns this week with a blockbuster edition, as five genuine stars prepare to make their returns to the racetrack over the Christmas period.

This is a list less about potential and more about proven class, with major championship targets firmly in focus.

We have a dual Gold Cup winner beginning his latest campaign, a John Durkan Chase winner lining up for a crack at the King George, and the reigning Champion Chaser returning to action.

Alongside them is a high-class mare ready to take centre stage once again, and a potential Champion Hurdle contender finally back in action at Kempton after a lengthy absence.

With Christmas racing on the horizon, these entries could be more than just seasonal reappearances, they may well be statements of intent.

As always, I’ll break down each runner individually, looking not only at their immediate prospects but also at what these performances could mean as the season builds toward its biggest spring targets.

These are names you won’t want to take your eyes off.

GAELIC WARRIOR - Willie Mullins

(7yo g) Maxios x Game Of Legs

Form: 22311-1

Kempton, Friday 26th December - King George Chase (G1) 3m

I am a huge fan of Gaelic Warrior and at this point in time, he does look to me like a horse that will develop into a Gold Cup contender come March. However before then, he has the King George on Boxing Day where he is an obvious contender with the credentials he offers.

He was of course an Arkle winner in 2024, and although a lot of people seem to think he needs soft ground, that simply isn’t the case. The only reason it was a requirement was because at the time he was running over two-miles, and he isn’t a natural speed type, but soft conditions over that short trip meant he was ab;e to get seriously competitive.

Since then, he has gone on to win over 3 miles at Aintree on faster ground to prove the point that soft is only required over shorter distances.

He started this campaign with an excellent win in the John Durkan and you could well expect him to take another step forward from that run as he steps up in trip for the first time this season.

Right handed at Kempton does feel like it will suit his running style, and as he has matured, he has become an excellent jumper. I imagine he will be ridden a little differently over Christmas because there is so much pace on up front.

This shouldn’t however be an issue for him as when he won at Aintree, he just got better as the race went on and passed rivals stylishly.

He could well be favourite for the Gold Cup if he wins the King George on Boxing Day, and he has a huge chance of doing so.

SIR GINO - Nicky Henderson

(5yo g) It’s Gino x Anzi Star

Form: 111/11-

Kempton, Friday 26th December - Christmas Hurdle (G1) 2m

It looks like Sir Gino could be back in business, with a likely return in the Christmas Hurdle on Boxing Day. This would be his first start since his victory over fences in the Wayward Lad at Kempton almost a year ago to the day.

He has been absent from the track for a considerable period since then, but that may not be as concerning as it would be had the layoff been due to a physical injury. Sir Gino was sidelined because of an infection, which is obviously not ideal either, but if that infection has fully cleared, then there is no reason to believe he has lost any of his ability.

The fact that Nicky Henderson has him ready, by his own admission, for a return to the racetrack has to be viewed as a positive. He is nearly a stone better off than his rivals here, and while he may well need the run to reach peak fitness, what we know of him and what we have already seen suggests he could still be good enough to win despite the long absence.

Hopefully, this race will see him re-establish himself and emerge as a new short-priced favourite for the Champion Hurdle in March.

MARINE NATIONALE - Barry Connell

(8yo g) French Navy x Power Of Future

Form: 23211- 

Leopardstown, Saturday 27th December - Paddy Rewards Club Chase 2m1f 

The Champion Chaser returns as Marine Nationale prepares for his seasonal debut at Leopardstown in the Grade 1 Paddy Rewards Club Chase.

He came into last season with just two chase starts to his name, yet from his very first run of the campaign he was taking on experienced, battle hardened Grade 1 chasers.

He improved with every single outing, and by the time Cheltenham arrived, after only his fifth start over fences, he was fully primed to peak on the biggest stage.

An incredible athlete, Marine Nationale was unbeaten over hurdles, having won two Grade 1 contests in the Royal Bond and the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.

Although his novice chase campaign was cut short, he needed only three runs in open company before establishing himself as the dominant two-mile chaser, culminating in an emphatic 18-length victory at Cheltenham.

Very few horses go on to complete the Cheltenham, Punchestown double, but he did so in equally impressive fashion, bolting up at Punchestown without having a hard race whatsoever.

Left-handed or right-handed, it simply doesn’t matter to Marine Nationale. For me, he is the Christmas money banker, and he may not be finished improving just yet.

THE BIG WESTERNER - Henry De Bromhead

(6yo m) Westerner x Augusta Bay

Form: 112P-2 

Limerick, Saturday 27th December - Dawn Run Mares Chase (Grade 2) 2m6f

The Big Westerner is my favourite mare in training, and I cannot wait to see her line up at Limerick in the Mares’ Chase over Christmas. She is a very well-bred mare, but she doesn’t

look your typical type. She is a strong, well-built individual who, in terms of size and presence, looks more like a gelding. There is plenty of power about her, and her form speaks for itself as she finished a close second to Jasmin De Vaux in last year’s Albert Bartlett, which now reads extremely well.

She did disappoint at Punchestown, but that run is easily excused as she was in season at the time. On her seasonal debut this year, she took on Jimmy Du Seuil, who is currently second favourite for the Brown Advisory. While she found him too strong on the day, she was clear of the remainder and was always going to improve significantly for the run.

She takes on Jade De Grugy here, who was disappointing on her chasing debut. While I believe The Big Westerner has her covered, I do expect Jade De Grugy to run much better at her second attempt and provide a sterner test.

Ultimately, though, The Big Westerner should take a big step forward from her debut run, and over this extended trip she looks very hard to beat in my opinion.

She delivered the Christmas money for my followers last season, and I’m confident she can do so again here.

This is a proper mare with plenty more talent still to come.

GALOPIN DES CHAMPS - Willie Mullins

(9yo g) Timos x Manon Des Champs

Form: 231121-

Leopardstown, Sunday, 28th December - Savills Chase 3m+

Two-time Cheltenham G|old Cup winner Galopin Des Champs is back for his first start of the season in the Savills Chase at Leopardstown.

This is a course where he was won three Irish Gold Cups at and he seems to thrive at this track, however he has had a set back this season and this turns out to be his first start after missing his John Durkan assignment.

This gelding is now a 9 year-old, so things won’t get any easier for him, however missing that first run of the season could be a blessing in disguise, as it could leave him a little lighter raced for when he gets to the Dublin Racing Festival and the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March.

If he gets to Cheltenham, he will be trying to match Best Mates record in the race with three Cheltenham Gold Cups, but it isnt getting any easier at his age, and he will have to defy not only the age stats that are against him, but he will have to become one of very few that have been able to regain their Gold Cup crown.

Willie Mullins wouldn’t have him here unless he was ready enough to run, and I for one hope he starts off on a winning trail.