This year there are 11 meetings scheduled for Boxing Day in Britain and Ireland and the one that is the real highlight is the William Hill Winter Festival which takes place at Kempton Park. The major feature of this two day meeting is the famous George VI Chase though there are many support races that should not be missed.

The Grade 1 support races include the Feltham Novices’ Steeple Chase, the Christmas Hurdle Race, both which are held on Boxing Day, and the total two day race card includes a total of 12 races.

The George VI Chase is restricted to four year old and older race horses and covers 3 miles with 18 fences to be jumped. It was first run in 1937 in honour of the King after whom it was named. Next to the Cheltenham Gold Cup this is the most prestigious national Hunt race on the calendar and consequently it receives a great deal of attention. It is not unusual for 30,000 or so spectators to show up at the event.

The race has seen its share of stars. The amazing Kato Star, ridden by Ruby Walsh, won the race on four occasions, an honour shared only by the equally famous Desert Orchid, ridden to two victories by Richard Dunwoody and two by Simon Sherwood.

If you are looking for some horse racing tips, then the current ante-post favourite is Long Run though the best odds you are likely to find are around 6/4 which might not be too good an investment at the moment. The second favourite is Kuato Star, with odds of around 9/2, but can this horse really pull off a fifth victory? His trainer Paul Nicholls believes that he can, and that he has a better chance of doing so than his stable mate Master minded.

If you are unable to join the expected 30,000 or so live spectators, then just place your bets, relax on the sofa and watch the race on TV; it’s what Boxing Day was made for. Come and make all of your Cheltenham Festival Betting with betfair today!

Ridden by Timmy Murphy and trained by David Pipe, Comply or Die shook the world of British horse racing by winning the 2008 Grand National at the very last fence. He won the race after defeating King John’s Castle at that last fence.

Before winning the Grand National, Comply or Die won the Bristol Novices’ Hurdle in 2003 and the Rising Stars Novices’ Chase in 2004. Later on, he won the Eider Chase in 2008, pocketing £606,640 career-total amount of winnings to date.

As with other Cinderella stories, the story of Comply or Die was filled with controversies as well. At the 2009 Grand National, he nearly won the race before Mon Mome took his place as the champion. His 2008 victory was also surrounded by controversies, including William Hill’s claim that his victory had cost the famous bookmaker £7 million.

Comply or Die is definitely one of the best rising stars in the history of British horse racing. This Thoroughbred definitely has all the needed characters to win some more big races in the future. Owner David Johnson and trainer David Pipe are also naming this horse one of their best.