With winter fast approaching many people are considering how they are going to spend the Christmas holidays.
Booking a short break is a great way to spend the festive period, but deciding where to go can be difficult with so many options to choose from.
The sport of horse racing is particularly busy during Christmas, with courses across the United Kingdom and Ireland staging top class action.
Read on as we look at some of the best meetings scheduled to take place over Christmas.
King George takes centre stage at Kempton
Head to leafy Surrey on Boxing Day to witness one of the most thrilling spectacles in the UK racing calendar.
The King George VI Chase is the highlight of the Christmas schedule and many people will use a bonus code for bet365 to wager on the race.
Staged over a distance of three miles, the race regularly attracts some of the best steeplechasers in the world.
In addition to the racing, Kempton is also ideally located to tour the South East of England making it a great place to grab a festive break.
Stamina the name of the game in Wales
The Welsh National takes place at Chepstow on December 27 and provides a unique test for both the horses and riders.
Winter weather and a severely undulating 3m5f course place plenty of emphasis on stamina, meaning the race often throws up surprise results.
Chepstow is situated in the South Wales, making it the ideal place to base yourself to visit cities such as Cardiff or Swansea.
With the beautiful Brecon Beacons National Park also within driving distance, a trip to the Welsh National is a veritable Christmas cracker.
Enjoy festival time across the Irish Sea
Leopardstown’s Christmas Festival runs from December 26-29 and features eight Grade 1 races over the four days.
These include the Racing Post Novice Steeplechase, the Savills Chase and the Christmas Hurdle, all of which provide pointers for the major meetings towards the end of the season.
The Festival also features live music, children’s entertainment, style awards and a host of other activities designed to appeal to people of all ages.
Located towards the outskirts of Dublin, the Leopardstown Christmas Festival is an excellent way to bring some Irish cheer into your holiday celebrations.
Bring in the New Year at Cheltenham
Cheltenham racecourse is famous for its four-day meeting during March, but it also stages an action-packed card on New Years’ Day.
There are seven quality races including two Grade 2 events that often include horses that go on to return to the course in spring.
The course is a stunning natural amphitheatre, providing visitors with one of the finest viewing experiences in horse racing.
With the delights of rural Gloucestershire close at hand, a visit to Cheltenham is the perfect way to bring in the New Year.
