My Tent Or Yours and The New One set for Boxing Day clash

Six horses have been declared for the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on Boxing Day including the front two in the Champion Hurdle betting. Nicky Henderson’s My Tent Or Yours will meet Nigel Twiston-Davies’s The New One and bookmakers are finding it difficult to split them.

The New One is just favourite at Evens with My Tent Or Yours a fraction longer at 11-10. They are joined by Grumeti, Sametegal, Duke of Navan and Chapel House.

Henderson’s gelding will be attempted to provide the trainer with a fourth consecutive Christmas Hurdle victory following Binocular (2010, 2011) and Darlan (2012). He could hardly have been more impressive when winning the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle whilst The New One was successful in the International Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Both horses prefer to be held up in their races and it could develop into a fascinating tactical battle. Sametegal finished second to Dell’ Arca in the Greatwood Hurdle but was taken out of the Ladbroke on Saturday due to the heavy ground.

Nine horses are set to go to post for the King George VI Chase after Captain Chris was ruled out through injury. He was runner-up to Long Run 12 months ago and that horse will run in a visor for the first time in an effort to sharpen him up.

His stable companion Riverside Theatre will wear blinkers and a hood. Prince De Beauchene was the other horse taken out at the final declaration stage.

The market for the Welsh National is also taking shape after Vesper Bell, Nuts N Bolts and Panther Claw were withdrawn from the Chepstow Marathon. Support continues to build for Gary Moore’s Well Refreshed who is now 7-1 clear favourite having been available at twice those odds a week ago.

Goonyella has been confirmed a definite starter having travelled over before Christmas and is 8-1 along with Highland Lodge. Donald McCain’s Sydney Paget is at 10-1 although he still holds alternative entries at Wetherby and in Ireland over the festive period.