The 23rd, 24th & 25th December bring about a quiet period for punters with no racing over these 3 days; However, this drought is ended in some style on the 26th when boxing day brings along the busiest day in the racing calendar & despite two meetings already being abandoned as a result of the weather there are still 11 cards scheduled across Britain & Ireland for punters to get stuck into. The Highlight of which is none other than The King George VI chase from Kempton Park, a race which is only second in stature to Cheltenham's famous Gold Cup.
The King George VI has been won by some of the great chasers over the years, the likes of; Arkle, Silver Buck, Wayward Lad & Desert Orchid have all been victorious in this historic race. See More Business & Kauto Star are a few of the big names from the modern era to also take this prestigious prize, both of which have trained by Paul Nicholls who has dominated this race in recent years, claiming 5 of the last 7 runnings all with the Magnificent Kauto Star & once again the Somerset trainer looks to have a strong hand this year with two entrants among a select field of only 9 runners.
There may only be 9 runners who go to post for this years renewal but when you consider that 5 of 9 runners are previous winners at Grade 1 level & 3 of the other 4 have won at Grade 1 level as a novice, there can be no denying that this is a race full of top quality performers. Current champion trainer Nicky Henderson will be hoping for back to back success in this race as he saddles 2 runners including last years winner Long Run who bids to become only the 4th horse to take the race for a third time. It seems worthwhile to bear in mind that plenty of these horse have run against each other on several previous occasions & have beaten each other in various different combinations which is why the punting in the early market looks very tight & for horses who know each other very well it could be a race where the tactics of the jockeys play a big role.
Runner by runner preview (each runner given a rating between 1-10) -
AL FEROF - The first of the Paul Nicholls duo, a winning grade 1 hurdler & a horse who looks fairly unexposed as a chaser at this level. Wasn't seen on course for just over a year before making his reappearance in a Grade 2 Chase at Ascot back in November, while he did look well that day he only had 1 other rival to race against & although the job was seen out well winning by a comfortable 8 lengths it was hard to gage really where he is at considering the horse defeated was rated 18lbs his inferior, although that horse has gone on since to finish 2nd in a valuable handicap chase at Cheltenham. Before that year long absence though Nicholls gelding was last seen winning the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham in November 2012. On that occasion he carried top weight to stay on strongly & win by 3 lengths, the manner in which he gained that victory gave the impression that he stays very well & that the step up to 3 miles today for the first time should play to his strengths. Interesting to see that he's the choice of stable jockey Daryl Jacob & it's unlikely Nicholls would have entered him here if he wasn't at the required level, dangerous to dismiss stepping up in trip.
Overall Rating = 8
CHAMPION COURT - 4th in this race last year & Martin Keighley's gelding has put in plenty of respectable efforts since then, including a win in grade 2 company at this year's Cheltenham festival & a respectable 7th in the Paddy Power Gold Cup carrying one of the top weights on seasonal reappearance. Last time out he finished a half length 2nd behind another of today's runners Riverside Theatre in the Peterborough chase (grade 2) at Huntingdon recently, that was a respectable run & but for a mistake at the last he may have gone closer. Only previous try at 3 miles was in this race last year & despite finishing 4th he was some way of the leaders, so there has to be a question mark over whether he can stay the trip as well as some of these. Yet to win at grade 1 level & while he could improve on that latest run it looks as though improvement would certainly be required if he was to seriously get involved here. Overall Rating = 4
CUE CARD - The Tizzard stable's star could only manage 5th in this race last year but since then has been in great form, taking 3 grade 1 contests & finishing 2nd in another, including a win at this year's Cheltenham festival. His Most notable performance came last time out when impressively winning the betfair chase at Haydock after being stepped up to 3 mile 1 furlong for the first time, proving that he stays the trip really well by strongly powering clear to beat Dynaste by 4 & a half lengths. He was impressive in the betfair so is fully deserved of coming here as the early favourite. The Tizzard's have said in a report that "he has come out of the Haydock race really well & that he was in his comfort zone over the longer trip". Overall he has proven himself as a top performer at this level & if turning up in the same form as last time he should undoubtedly be in the mix. Overall Rating = 9
DYNASTE - David Pipe's gelding was one of the top novice chasers from last season, boasting a record of 111212 from his last 6 appearances including a 9 length win over C&D in the Feltham novices chase on boxing day last year. Proved that he was still going in the right direction when making his seasonal reappearance in his biggest test yet last time out when running very respectably behind Cue Card in the Betfair at Haydock. Given that the Betfair was his first run of the season & in the best race he has face to date he performed with real credit & showed that he is probably still improving, it is highly likely that he will be better for that run & it wouldn't be at surprising to see show further improvement here. He has proven form around the track & with further rain forecast this can play to his strengths. Can improve again & has to be seen as one of the big players. Overall Rating = 10
LONG RUN - Not seen at his best since winning this race 12 months ago & looking though he could be vulnerable once again now facing the prospect of some young improving types. He beat 3 of today's field in this race last year & while he pulled 14 lengths clear with the second place horse to gain a hard fought victory he hasn't been able to go on from that form & is still searching for his next win. Was sent off the 4-5 favourite on seasonal reappearance in a grade 2 at Wetherby & finished well down the field some 40 lengths of the eventual winner. Last time out despite improving on his first run he could only manage 4th in the Betfair chase & was some 15 lengths behind the front 3 who all go in today's race. Jockey Sam Waley-Cohen has said that "as he get's older he takes longer to get fit" so realistically Nicky Henderson's gelding should be better off having had 2 runs now this season & now the visor is fitted for the first time so it wouldn't be a surprise to see him improve. At early prices of around 10/1 he could be worth an EW shout, but a return to his form of old looks desperately needed. Overall Rating = 6
MENORAH - A grade 1 winner as a novice back in April 2012 but since then Phillipp Hobbs' charge has failed to really land a blow at the top level & looks a rightful outsider in this field. The fact that the 8 year old is making his seasonal reappearance in this race also looks a negative & it's hard to envisage that he could be up to level of some of these who have had the benefit of a run or two before this. Last time out he finished 3 parts of a length behind Champion Court back at the Cheltenham festival in April, on that form he looks held by a rival who looks an unlikely winner himself. Has finished a long way behind both Cue Card & Silviniaco Conti on previous occasions & it would be a big surprise is he could seriously get involved in here. Looks best watched. Overall Rating = 3
MOUNT BENBULBEN - Gordon Elliot enters Ireland's only runner here & despite a convincing winner of a grade 1 novice chase at Punchestown towards the end of last season that form looks some way off the what would be required to win this. Made his seasonal reappearance at the beginning of November at Down Royal but seemed to be struggling halfway before unseating his rider. Should be better off & no doubt his trainer has got him right after that but looks another who is a deserved outsider & it would be a surprise to see him get involved with the big players in this one. Overall Rating = 2
RIVERSIDE THEATRE - 2nd to Long Run in this race in 2011, Nicky Henderson's other entrant in the is another who seems to have slipped under the radar somewhat but it shouldn't be forgotten than this 9 year old is 3 times a winner at Grade 1 level & showed signs last time out on his seasonal reappearance that he could be coming back to his best. Winner of the Ryanair chase at the 2012 Cheltenham festival but after that disappointed in his further races that season & was only seen twice last season where he failed to produce on either occasion. During his recent off season break he underwent a breathing operation which to all seemed to have had the desired effects when he stayed on gamely to win the grade 2 Peterborough chase on his reappearance beating Champion Court by half a length. He is entitled to be better off for that win & comes here looking a far better prospect than he did in this race last year. For win purposes he might not be at the level some of these are but he can certainly build on that latest win with the first time blinkers fitted here so shouldn't be discounted. All in all if he's back to near his best then can perhaps get involved at likely bigger odds than most, could be worth the EW money. Overall Rating = 7
SILVINIACO CONTI - Winner of the 2011 Betfair Chase (grade 1) beating Long Run by the best part of 3 lengths, also going well in last seasons Gold Cup when fell 3 out. Made a pleasing seasonal reappearance in this season Betfair chase behind Cue Card & Dynaste, like the latter that was his first run of the season so he should be a lot sharper for it. Has previous winning form around this C&D to his name which should hold him in good stead. Has proved he can cut it at this level & with improvement likely after a respectable effort last time out he is no back number here as the early market would suggest (5/1), Can go well for top trainer with an excellent record in this race & wouldn't be a surprise to see him get seriously involved.
Overall Rating = 8
As with most of the big grade 1 chases this should be a great race to watch unfold. Any feedback on this review would be greatly appreciated as always, either use the comments below or get in touch via twitter; @tipsfromchirpy.
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