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THE next two Saturdays are the calm before the winter storm so get ready to be hit by the Boxing Day plus racing hurricanes at Kempton Park, Leopardstown and my favourite day of all of them at Chepstow for the Welsh National on December 27th.

However, this afternoon’s offering isn’t too bad when we consider that we are on the cusp of those seasonal festivals with the December Golf Cup Handicap Chase (Cheltenham, 1.50) top of the betting shop.

As is nearly always the case, this year’s renewal resembles a cut up version of the Gold Cup Handicap Chase from last month with the 1^st, 2^nd, 4^th and 5^th all set to re-oppose on varying terms.