AS far as Christmas traditions go, they don’t come much more exciting than the buzz of the King George on Boxing Day.
Post the turkey, stuffing and gravy, put those feet up and enjoy what should be one of the biggest and best races of the season. Here’s all you need.
Clan Des Obeaux is hunting a famous King George hat-trick come Boxing Day.
Owned by Sir Alex, Ged Mason and landlord Paul Barber, the eight-year-old has made Kempton his own in recent years.
In 2018 he caused a mini shock winning at 12-1, before making it back-to-back triumphs last season and proving beyond doubt he’s a true Grade 1 champ.
But he was beaten on his return in the Charlie Hall this season, depsite travelling like the winner much of the way. The tank emptied late on and he surely had a hard race on the mud at Haydock.
What you make of his chances probably has a lot to do with whether you think trainer Paul Nicholls can do the trick in the five week gap between races with the magic sponge.
You might be wondering how Nicholls can have the joint-favourites in such a big race?
Well, he simply loves this race. The likes of Kauto Star and Silviniaco Conti have ensured Nicholls has taken the trophy back to Somerset a stonking 11 times.
Cyrname was the red-hot favourite in this last season before he disappointed, albeit finishing second.
But he’s arguably had a better prep this time around – winning the Charlie Hall at a canter – and looks a new horse. And again stable jockey Harry Cobden has plumped for him over the defending champ.
This has long been the plan for the Irish raider and last year’s Gold Cup fourth is more of an unknown than most in this.
His run at Cheltenham last season was one of the only times he’s crossed swords with the best of the Brits and it might be this easier and speed-focused track suits better.
He will need to find more than he’s showed in recent seasons to win this you’d think.
But he’s not been heavily campaigned and could well have what it takes to step up and take this. He will definitely need to kick on from his lacklustre return though.
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The jury is out on the Colin Tizzard-trained horse now.
He’s not won since the 2019 Charlie Hall, was pulled-up in this last season and was beaten on his return when favourite at Haydock.
But the talent has been there for all to see in glimpses. A Gold Cup third was a huge effort and at one point he looked as if he may be the new star in this division.
It’s far from ruled out he can bounce back here, but as his odds suggest people are starting to give up on him.
If the Tizzard team – who have started the season slowly – burst into life between now and Boxing Day, then that might be a positive sign.
Yet another Nicholls runner! And despite the odds, Frodon shouldn’t be discounted.
He rarely gets to prove himself at this real top table, but returned with a bang to win at Cheltenham in October.
A no-show at Aintree can be ignored given half the hurdles were skipped and Frodon’s front-running style could well suit this race.
From the horses at bigger odds he arguably makes most appeal and will once again be partnered by Bryony Frost who gets on with him brilliantly.
Waiting Patiently – Jefferson/Hughes (16-1)
Another lively outsider but does look short enough given injury troubles and stamina concerns. Will be the big hope of the north.
Saint Calvados – Whittington/Sheehan (33-1)
A setback has ruled the horse out of the first half of the season but he could reappear here. He’s always suggested this trip could suit and if he’s fighting fit on his return is worth his place in the field.
CYRNAME is worth another chance in this big race. Things didn’t go to plan last season and that has to be in the back of your mind.
But some time off and another year under his belt and he looks a brand new horse.
Plenty could have gone wrong on his return in the Charlie Hall, but given the steady pace he settled well and didn’t look like the tearaway horse he once was.
He has speed, stamina and class. Everything you need for this Boxing Day test.
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