Festive Period Sweep: Welsh National Winner Headlines 14-Selection Boxing Day to Sunday Haul
Boxing Day brought an 8/1 winner before the turkey was even cold. By Sunday night, RH Sports Analysis had delivered four horse racing winners from All Sports including a historic Welsh Grand National triumph, a 7/2 Pre-Match Football selection on Rayan Cherki, and a six-win streak from Counta Elite that saw members doubling up on Sporting Lisbon for combined odds of 5/1.
The festive fixtures delivered chaos across European football while the jumps season reached its peak at Kempton, Leopardstown and Chepstow. Our analysis found value at every turn.
Boxing Day Present: Barlovento Opens the Account
The festive period kicked off in style with Barlovento landing the opener at Kempton on Boxing Day. The Olly Murphy-trained six-year-old was sent off at 8.50 in the Novices' Limited Handicap Chase and delivered under champion jockey Sean Bowen, tracking the pace before taking command between the final two fences to win by three-quarters of a length.
December 27th: Four Winners Across Three Racecourses
The day after Boxing Day proved even more profitable. Star Walking opened proceedings at Kempton, delivering a breathtaking finish in the mares' handicap hurdle at 9/4. Harry Cobden timed his challenge perfectly, leading only on the final stride to edge out the gallant Holly Hartingo in a new course record time.
Over in Ireland, Bowensonfire showed tremendous determination at Leopardstown's Christmas Festival. The Gordon Elliott-trained five-year-old was held up toward the rear under Jack Kennedy before staying on powerfully from the back of the field to lead in the closing stages. The 4.2 selection won by a length and a quarter as part of a four-timer for the Elliott yard on the day.
The headline act came at Chepstow where Haiti Couleurs made racing history in the Welsh Grand National. Rebecca Curtis's eight-year-old defied the heaviest weight ever carried to victory in the race's 130-year history, lugging 11st 13lb off a mark of 154. Sean Bowen executed a bold front-running ride to land the 9/1 selection and complete an extraordinary calendar year for the gelding, having already won the Irish Grand National and a race at the Cheltenham Festival.
Race
Welsh Grand National
Selection
Haiti Couleurs ✓
Odds
9/1
Weight Carried
11st 13lb (Record)
Cherki Masterclass Lands 7/2 Shots Selection
Pre-Match Football identified Rayan Cherki Over 1.5 shots on target at 7/2 before Manchester City's trip to the City Ground. The French playmaker didn't just land the selection, he ran the entire game.
Cherki finished with two shots on target in City's 2-1 victory over Nottingham Forest, but his contribution extended far beyond the winning bet. He assisted Tijjani Reijnders' 48th-minute opener before scoring the decisive goal himself in the 83rd minute from a cleverly worked corner routine. Four shots total, three chances created, and the Man of the Match award as City continued their title charge with an eighth consecutive win.
Counta Fires Across the Premier League
While Pre-Match Football was landing Cherki, Counta Elite was working the in-play markets across the December 27th Premier League schedule. Liverpool hosted Wolves at Anfield and Counta identified Over 0.5 first half goals at 8/11. Ryan Gravenberch obliged in the 41st minute, with Florian Wirtz doubling the lead 89 seconds later as Liverpool ran out 2-1 winners.
Over at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea faced Aston Villa with Counta backing Over 0.5 first half goals at 11/8. João Pedro's 37th-minute opener landed the selection before Ollie Watkins came off the bench to score twice and seal a 2-1 Villa win that extended their winning run to 11 matches.
Counta Elite's Six-Win Streak
Away from the Premier League, Counta Elite was putting together something special. Six consecutive winning signals across Liga Portugal and Serie A, spanning December 28th to 29th.
The streak opened with SC Braga vs Benfica in Liga Portugal, where Over 0.5 first half goals landed comfortably. Bologna vs Sassuolo in Serie A followed with Under 6.5 total corners coming in. Then Atalanta hosted Inter Milan in a top-of-the-table clash, and Counta identified Over 4.0 first half Asian corners at 2.150. The match delivered five corners before the break as Inter dominated set-piece situations on their way to a 1-0 victory.
Sporting Lisbon vs Rio Ave brought a double that members won't forget. First, Over 0.5 first half goals at 8/11 landed comfortably as Sporting raced into an early lead. Then Over 3.5 first half Asian corners came in as Sporting dominated possession. Members who followed both signals landed combined odds around 5/1 as Sporting cruised to a 4-0 demolition.
By this point, members were taking notice. Five winners deep and the Telegram chat was buzzing.
The streak was completed with Al Khaleej Saihat vs Al Fateh in the Saudi Pro League, where Over 0.5 first half goals at 5/6 landed in the 40th minute.
Furlong Completes the Card Sweep
The final piece of the festive puzzle came on December 29th when Counta Elite backed Darnell Furlong to be booked at 8/1 in Coventry vs Ipswich.
The Ipswich right-back had been involved in a running battle with Coventry winger Ephron Mason-Clark throughout the match, fouling him three times before referee Anthony Backhouse finally produced the yellow card in the 88th minute. The 8/1 selection landed as Ipswich ran out 2-0 winners to inflict Coventry's first home defeat of the season.
Festive Period Summary
| Match | Selection | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Kempton (Dec 26) | Barlovento (8.50) | ✓ Won |
| Kempton (Dec 27) | Star Walking (9/4) | ✓ Won |
| Leopardstown (Dec 27) | Bowensonfire (4.2) | ✓ Won |
| Welsh National (Dec 27) | Haiti Couleurs (9/1) | ✓ Won |
| Forest vs Man City | Cherki Over 1.5 SOT (7/2) | ✓ Won |
| Liverpool vs Wolves | Over 0.5 1H Goals (8/11) | ✓ Won |
| Chelsea vs Villa | Over 0.5 1H Goals (11/8) | ✓ Won |
| SC Braga vs Benfica | Over 0.5 1H Goals | ✓ Won |
| Bologna vs Sassuolo | Under 6.5 Total Corners | ✓ Won |
| Atalanta vs Inter | Over 4.0 1H Corners (2.150) | ✓ Won |
| Sporting vs Rio Ave | Over 0.5 1H Goals (8/11) | ✓ Won |
| Sporting vs Rio Ave | Over 3.5 1H Corners | ✓ Won |
| Al Khaleej vs Al Fateh | Over 0.5 1H Goals (5/6) | ✓ Won |
| Coventry vs Ipswich | Darnell Furlong Booked (8/1) | ✓ Won |
What's Next
The New Year's fixtures bring one of the biggest Premier League clashes of the season. Arsenal host Aston Villa on December 30th with the title race hanging in the balance. Unai Emery returns to the Emirates against his former club, and a win for Villa draws them level with the Gunners at the top.
Liverpool vs Leeds on New Year's Day always delivers entertainment when these two meet. Sunderland face Manchester City in their first top-flight New Year's Day fixture since 2016, with the Black Cats looking to cause an upset at the Stadium of Light.
Horse racing hits its peak on New Year's Day with nine meetings across the UK and Ireland. Cheltenham headlines the card with the Grade 2 Relkeel Hurdle, while Musselburgh has sold out for Scotland's richest New Year race. AFCON 2025 enters the knockout rounds from January 3rd after the group stage concludes on New Year's Eve.
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