THE history of Kempton’s King George VI Chase is littered with multiple winners and another one can join the Clan on Boxing Day.
Paul Nicholls has trained three – See More Business, Kauto Star and Silviniaco Conti – and CLAN DES OBEAUX (3.05) can add to that list.
He won last season, proving ideally suited to the flat-track, fast-run jumping test this three-miler always provides.
And he was travelling as well as any going to two out in the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March before the extra distance found him out.
He reappeared at Down Royal last month, running really well to chase home Road To Respect. That Grade 1 event is his big target of the season. This is Clan Des Obeaux’s.
If he comes up short then Nicholls may win in any case as stablemate Cyrname has strong claims. He is the top-rated chaser in training and achieved what once seemed impossible last time, defeating the mighty Altior at Ascot. Cyrname jumps boldly and has won at this course.
He ticks plenty of boxes, enough for Harry Cobden to have opted to ride him, but this is his first attempt at three miles. His bold-jumping front-running style will make him hard to catch but might just set this up for his stablemate.
The other big player is Lostintranslation, who won Haydock’s Betfair Chase last time. He is a potential star but this is his biggest test to date and he may be better over further – possibly at Cheltenham in March.
Last year’s runner-up and 2016 winner Thistlecrack will run his usual solid race but is unlikely to be good enough at the age of 11 but Footpad is the ‘dark horse’.
He was a crack two-miler two seasons ago but blew out last term. He looked back to something like his best at Thurles last time but he too is unproven at the trip.
Aso was well below par last time and even his best is unlikely to be good enough.
After the way he won at Ludlow last week it is no surprise that trainer Venetia Williams has opted to gamble and ROLL AGAIN in the 1.20.
He won there with any amount in hand without ever feeling the whip and the handicapper will surely give him more than the 7lb penalty he shoulders here.
The shorter trip is the only worry but he travelled well to make all and his useful Irish hurdling form was all over shorter.
Simply The Betts is the big danger. He has fully deserved his huge hike in the weights, his reappearance Chepstow defeat of Espoire De Guye looking even better after the runner-up hacked up at Ascot on Saturday.
Doctor Dex is well suited to this trip on a right-hand track but may be better on better ground. Hold The Note showed promise on his chasing debut and is worth a market check, running for the same owner/trainer combination that won this last year with Glen Forsa.
Slate House looks sure to start favourite fior the Kauto Star Chase (1.55). The second-season novice was an unlucky loser in the BetVictor Gold Cup and has won his other two starts this term fairly comfortably.
But those of us who were at Kempton for MASTER TOMMYTUCKER’s return could not fail to be impressed by the way he rallied after being headed to beat the vastly more experienced – and race-fit – Who Dares Wins.
That was over 2m2f and he will be much better suited by this step up in distance. When interviewed by Trackman after the race, jockey Harry Cobden was very complimentary so it is no surprise he prefers my fancy to Newbury winner Danny Whizzbang, who is another fine prospect.
Black Op chased home highly-regarded Champ at Newbury and is much respected in the best novice chase of the season.
Nicky Henderson has won six of the last nine Christmas Hurdles and looks likely to make it seven from ten at 2.30. Fusil Raffles has done nothing wrong and will be hard to beat but EPATANTE was hugely impressive when winning a hot handicap at Newbury last month and there is no telling how good she is yet. The 7lb she receives could be crucial.
Verdana Blue won a weaker renewal 12 months ago but the wet December has done her no favours this year.
Ballyandy, who finished ahead of Ch’tibello and Elixir de Nutz in Cheltenham’s International Hurdle 12 days ago, may not confirm the form round here but none of them look quite good enough in any event.
The same applies to last season’s Champion Hurdle third Silver Streak.
At Wetherby BENNYS KING can reign in the Rowland Meyrick Chase (2.10). He stormed home in a strong race at Newbury last time, shaping as if there was much more to come when stepped up to this three mile trip and can defy his rise in the weights.
Top Ville Ben ran well for a long way at Newcastle last time and holds Jonniesofa and last year’s winner Lake View Lad on that form. He goes well at this course but is 3lb higher and has a lot of weight to carry. Rocco may be best of the rest.
