Christmas horse racing tips including 25/1 shot at Leopardstown on St Stephen's Day

Our man has cast his eye on the St Stephen's Day cards to pick out his best bets, including a big outsider at Leopardstown.

Racing Post Handicap Chase - December 26 - Leopardstown 2.55pm - It would be no surprise to see THE FOLKES TIARA (extimated 25/1) rediscover some form and claim this race for master trainer Henry De Bromhead. A look at its recent form would send you elsewhere but he was second in the same race 12 months ago so this will have been the target again. He was only beaten a short head in the race last year off a three pound lower rating. He once again has a seven-pound claimer in the saddle to take weight off. His form at Leopardstown is 2182 so he's often in the frame here.

Kauto Star Novices' Chase - December 26 - Kempton 1.20pm - SALVER (3/1) is the one for me in this despite the presence of a well-fancied Willie Mullins runner (Kitzbuhel). Salver was a decent hurdler (third in a Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham), and looks a good chaser in the making. He lost nothing in defeat to the much-hyped Lulamba on chasing debut (over 2M 1F) but was foot perfect over three miles when landing a Sandown Grade 2 by 12 lengths recently. Over the same distance and in a similarly small field, a patient ride once more could see this five-year-old to best effect.

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King George VI Chase - December 26 - Kempton 2.30pm - Jango Baie is interesting in this for me but I can't look past the quality of the Willie Mullins raiders Fact To File or my selection GAELIC WARRIOR (5/2). With Paul Townend up and his recent form over three miles after being stepped up in trip, Gaelic Warrior looks a Cheltenham Gold Cup winner in the making. So often over the years the winner of the King George has gone on to Cheltenham glory and Gaelic Warrior may have to overcome his stablemate in March too. Gaelic Warrior has won his three starts over the longer trip and was mightily impressive beating Fact To File in the John Durkan at Punchestown last month. Just a neck separated them but he was tough and game to the line. They had gone 30 lengths clear of the third, no less than the Grade 1 winner Fastorslow, who is a serious yardstick. That puts them clear of the home favourites in my book and I think Gaelic Warrior will tough it out under Townend.