Classy hurdler – THE JUKEBOX MAN – who placed in a trio of Grade Ones, is expected to build on a highly promising chase debut win at Newbury.

Jumping soundly throughout, the Harry Redknapp-owned 6-year-old has the scope and ability for a bright future over fences and should improve for that run, according to trainer Ben Pauling.

KIENTZHEIM can produce a hurdle debut success on first run for Nicky Henderson.

A winner of 2 AQPS flat races in France, earlier this year – a daughter of Zanzibari – is closely related to G1 Champion Hurdle winner Epatante, who raced in the same silks of J P McManus. She appears a talented filly and receives weight from all her rivals.

Our first selection in our Boxing Day Each Way Trixie comes in the 12:45, where we have EL RIO, who is looking to land the hat-trick here today.

A 7-year-old gelding who showed some promise last year in his first season over hurdles but lacked consistency. Making the switch to fences in April this year, he looks a different beast and is in great shape after landing a double recently. After not getting off to the greatest of starts in April when pulling up, he took a 6-month break before returning to Huntingdon, where he made amends.

Producing a career best when cruising to a 3 3⁄4 length victory and with 3rd place over 14 lengths behind, it was an impressive return from absence in which he followed up on last time out. Racing at Sandown last month, El Rio’s jumping caught the eye when he made all the running to win comfortably again by 4 1⁄4 lengths, and considering Kempton is a track where you can apply pressure from the front, he holds bold claims to land his hat-trick here today.

Our second selection in our Boxing Day Each Way Trixie comes in the 13:20, where we have MASACCIO, who is thriving after making the switch to fences.

A 7-year-old gelding who has been consistent throughout his entire career, racing 13 times and finishing inside the top three in 10 of his appearances, he’s a handy sort who should go well here today. Winning twice over hurdles last year from six starts, Masaccio made the switch to fences last month, where his performances have hit a new level. Winning on his chase debut at Newbury last month, he won comfortably when staying on well to win by two lengths, with third place 17 lengths behind.

A solid chase debut in a class 3 event, he was stepped up into a class 1 late last month where he finished a very respectable second behind today’s rival, The Jukebox Man, with the pair pulling clear of the remaining field. Hitting the third last fence but staying on well, reducing the gap over a shorter 2m3f trip, the step up to 3m looks beneficial for this gelding today and he looks a strong player.

Our final selection for our Boxing Day Each Way Trixie comes in the 14:30, where we have IL EST FRANCAIS, who has been in top form racing in France.

A 6-year-old French gelding who has been exceptional racing over hurdles and fences throughout his career and thrived when raced on UK soil for the first time at this meeting last year. Racing 12 times over hurdles and fences, Il Est Francais has won nine of his appearances and is a gelding who looks well suited to racing at Kempton. Appearing for the first time here last year when winning the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase, he made a bold statement when dominating the field and going on to win by 11 lengths.

Although mainly raced on heavy ground, Il Est Francais has won both of his career starts on good ground, including over course and distance here last year, and looks set for another bold showing in the UK. Proven over today’s trip of 3m, there are a few closely priced rivals who are questionable over this trip and have been racing over shorter distances of late, and given his impressive front-running performance here last year, he’s well suited to this course and looks set to make another bold bid from the front again.

It’s tricky to weigh-up the form of ASTA LA PASTA, since switching to fences. The Dan Skelton-trained Walk In The Park gelding scored effortlessly at Carlisle, prior to performing with plenty of credit in a hot Newbury handicap chase.

The winner was a ‘blot’ on the handicap and races in a Grade Two at Kempton on Friday – with the runner-up confirming the form with a solid second at Windsor. Asta La Pasta should improve for the rise in distance, having been successful over 2m4f previously.

In what appears a wide-open G1 King George VI Chase, BANBRIDGE is certainly of note, finally stepping up to a suitable journey. The course winner has been seen over varied trips, from two miles up to three miles plus, but has rarely raced beyond 2-and-half miles.

His class isn’t in doubt – as a dual Grade One winner – and he was in the process of running a big race on second start this term, before unseating his rider at Cork. A quick surface is important to him, and with plenty of pace up front, he should be able to show his best under suitable conditions.

RASCALLION delivered a promising debut second at Ludlow over this trip. The son of Johnny Barnes jumped well and travelled kindly into the race, prior to just being outbattled on the run-in. The winner has subsequently gone in again to boost the form.

A first-time hood has been applied, which could help with his finishing effort this time around, and he has excellent claims or reaching the frame again. Flat winner, Nap Hand, is a fascinating recruit to jumping but is passed over this time, with a lack of a run over hurdles.

A chance is taken on DODDIETHEGREAT, who is one of three Nicky Henderson runners, and interestingly is the choice of jockey Nico de Boinville.

Doddiethegreat was disappointing on chase debut but is a notable candidate switched to hurdles, at a track where he was a novice winner over this trip. He could bounce back to form at fair each-way odds.