Christmas racing has a new shape for 2026. The BHA, ITV Racing and Entain have created a four-day British Christmas racing festival from 26 to 29 December, and the Coral Welsh Grand National has moved to Monday 28 December. Here’s what’s on each day, the horses in the news for the King George VI Chase, and how to bet on it all from your phone.
At a glance: Boxing Day is the King George and the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton. Sunday 27th is Kauto Star Chase Day at Kempton. Monday 28th is the Welsh Grand National at Chepstow. Tuesday 29th is the Challow Hurdle at Newbury.
Christmas racing 2026: what’s on each day
| Date | Main meeting and feature race |
|---|---|
| Sat 26 Dec (Boxing Day) | Kempton: Ladbrokes King George VI Chase and Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle. ITV also shows Aintree and Wetherby. |
| Sun 27 Dec | Kempton: Ladbrokes Kauto Star Chase Day. ITV also shows Wetherby and Hereford. |
| Mon 28 Dec (bank holiday) | Chepstow: Coral Welsh Grand National. ITV also shows Leicester. |
| Tue 29 Dec | Newbury: Coral Challow Hurdle. ITV also shows Doncaster. |
The changes were announced by the BHA on 2 July 2026. Moving the Welsh National to the Monday ends its clash with Kempton on the 27th, so racing fans can follow each big meeting in turn rather than having two on the same afternoon.
Boxing Day at Kempton
Kempton’s Boxing Day card is the highlight of the Christmas period. According to the Jockey Club’s provisional card (times subject to change), it includes:
- Ladbrokes Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase (Grade 2)
- Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle (Grade 1), the big two-mile hurdle of the holiday period
- Ladbrokes King George VI Chase (Grade 1), the main event, run over three miles
King George VI Chase 2026: horses in the news
- The Jukebox Man, trained by Ben Pauling and owned by Harry Redknapp, won last year’s King George at 7/1, beating Banbridge by a nose. We haven’t yet seen confirmed plans for him to defend his title.
- Gaelic Warrior, Willie Mullins’s Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, finished third in last year’s race and has been near the top of the ante-post betting, but there’s no confirmation yet that he’ll run.
- Jango Baie won’t run. The Racing Post reported on 29 September that Nicky Henderson’s horse, fourth last year and later an Aintree winner, will miss the rest of 2026 with an injury.
- Lulamba could take his place for Henderson. In the same Racing Post report, Henderson suggested Lulamba could improve a lot over a longer trip.
Last year’s Christmas Hurdle went to Sir Gino for Nicky Henderson and Nico de Boinville, who won by six lengths as the 4/7 favourite.
The Welsh Grand National moves to 28 December
The Coral Welsh Grand National at Chepstow is one of the toughest staying handicap chases of the season, run over more than three and a half miles in the depths of winter. In 2026 it moves from 27 to 28 December.
Last year’s winner was Haiti Couleurs, trained by Rebecca Curtis and ridden by Sean Bowen. Racing Ahead reported in October that he’s set to start his new season at Down Royal on 31 October, with races including the King George being considered. A return to Chepstow hasn’t been confirmed.
Leopardstown’s Christmas Festival
Irish racing’s big Christmas meeting at Leopardstown usually runs from 26 to 29 December, with races such as the Savills Chase and the Paddy Power Chase. At the time of writing, Leopardstown hadn’t published its 2026 programme, so we’ll add the details when they’re confirmed.
Betting on Christmas racing with an app
- Bet on the day for Best Odds Guaranteed. William Hill and 888sport pay BOG on UK and Irish racing for bets placed after 8am on race day. Ante-post bets on the King George don’t get BOG, so you’re taking a risk if your horse doesn’t run.
- Go each-way in the Welsh National. It’s a big-field handicap, so standard terms pay four places at 1/4 the odds when there are 16 or more runners. Check your apps for extra places on the day.
- A four-day Lucky 15. With a big race every day from 26 to 29 December, you can pick one horse from each day’s feature. See how to place a Lucky 15.
- Placepot on Boxing Day. The Kempton placepot covers the first six races. See how to do a placepot.
- Set your limits. Christmas means lots of racing in a short time. Use the deposit limits and time-outs in your app, and see our responsible gambling guide.
William Hill new customer offer
William Hill’s current welcome offer is Bet £10, Get £30 in free bets, with minimum odds of 1/2. Free bets expire after 7 days, and PayPal and Apple Pay deposits are excluded. 18+. New customers only. T&Cs apply. Checked 21 October 2026, so always check the latest terms on William Hill’s site.
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More guides
- King George and Kempton’s Christmas Festival betting guide
- Kempton racecourse guide
- All racing festivals
- Compare horse racing betting apps
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Sources: BHA, 2 July 2026; Sporting Life, 2 July 2026; Chepstow Racecourse; Kempton Christmas Festival day 1; Racing Post, 29 Sept 2026; Racing Ahead, 5 Oct 2026; 2025 results from Sky Sports and ITV News. Checked 24 October 2026.
