Imperial to upset Star

We threatened an avalanche of winners on the run-up to the festive period and we delivered on those promises last week.
Our 20/1 five-hit at the football romped in with QPR, Blackburn, Leicester, Huddersfield and Cardiff all winning and it didn’t stop there folks - we also told readers that Nicky Henderson was primed for a big-race double.
Punchestowns (3/1) and Sentry Duty (12/1) did just that - the double paying a whopping 52/1- a smashing weekend for PG readers if they followed our advice.
KING GEORGE
We start with the festive racing and the big race on St Stephen’s Day, the King George where Kauto Star is a warm order at 11/8 as he bids for his third consecutive win in the race.
So who are the dangers to Kauto? Former Queen Mother winner Voy Por Ustedes will step up to three miles for the first time for Alan King and has been punted into 3/1 for the feature but the one we like is the Nigel Twiston Davies trained Imperial Commander who can spring a surprise at 9/1.
The Paddy Power Gold Cup winner steps up in class but looks a value bet. Albertas Run has run awful this season but if he can recapture the form of last year then the 50/1 on offer could be an each-way steal.
CHRISTMAS HURDLE
Punjabi from all the all-conquering Nicky Henderson yard will take some stopping in the Christmas Hurdle - he gets a 11/8 quote and the danger could come from Blue Bajan.
PADDY POWER CHASE
As usual a competitive field for Saturday’s big race at Leopardstown and we have put two up for the race.
Recent Cheltenham winner HOOPY from the Gordon Elliott yard will relish the trip and looks a big bet at 12/1.
The Tom Mullins trained CHELSEA HARBOUR looks overpriced at 20/1 - which represents the each-way value in this puzzling race.
WELSH NATIONAL
On to Saturday’s Welsh National and we tipped up Halcon Genelardais last year and he was collared on the line and he will take all the beating this year at 10/1 with the big danger coming from in-form MON Mome.
Punters’ Guide QUAD
On to the festive football ahead at the weekend and we start with our St Stephen’s Day quad.
PORTSMOUTH (5/4) need a win on the board and we are taking them to grab three at Fratton Park against West Ham.
SPURS (5/6) also need the points and we are banking on them grabbing three points at home to hard to beat Fulham.
WATFORD (5/4) are a different team at home and should bag three points at the expense of Bristol City.
We leave our last selection to the match of the day that evening.
Arsenal (6/4) travel to Villa Park to play Martin O’Neill’s Aston Villa side who are on the brink of smashing the Top 4 monopoly but we can see the Gunners grabbing revenge in this one.
Punters’ Guide FIVE HIT
The pressure is on to make it a five-hit double and we have opted for BURNLEY (8/11) at home to Barnsley and in-form READING (8/11) to take all points at home to Cardiff.
LEYTON ORIENT (11/10) look too good to turn down at home to managerless Swindon while SCUNTHORPE (10/11) looked nailed on for a win against Hartlepool.
Making the five-hit up are League Two leaders WYCOMBE (8/11) who look a solid choice at home to Exeter
Punters’ Guide XXX
Finally, on to our draw treble and we stay in the Premiership for all of the XXX.
Take EVERTON to grab a point at MIDDLESBORO while BLACKBURN can get a point at Sunderland.
Making the XXX up is the visit of NEWCASTLE to WIGAN which looks another tight game on paper - all draws are priced at 11/5.
Remember those doubles as well, folks!
Have a winning Christmas to all the PG readers.