King George VI Chase preview

MY third favourite race of the year (behind the Grand National and Cheltenham Gold Cup) rarely disappoints when it comes to drama. I was reminded the other day of the man dressed as Santa who nearly ran into and brought down a knackered Kicking King on the run-in in 2004.

Seconds earlier Kicking King had made a catastrophic error at the last. In fact that last fence has caused the sort of drama usually reserved for prime-time Christmas specials. Kauto Star almost landed on top of the fence as he cruised to victory in 2006 and who can forget Adrian Maguire asking Barton Bank for a big one at the last in 1994 only for the horse to put down and catapult the jockey out of the saddle with the race at his mercy.

This year the race lacks one thing: Coneygree. Injury has cruelly robbed the Bradstocks and an expectant racing public of the chance to see the Cheltenham Gold Cup winner try to run his rivals ragged. But, for once, the absence of the leading actor has failed to rob the King George VI Chase of its fascinating box office interest. The supporting cast is a stellar one. Kicking King is the last Irish-trained horse to win the race but the Irish challenge is strong this time with Vautour vying for favouritism with Don Cossack. Then there is Cue Card who has been in peerless form, dual winner Silviniaco Conti and the brilliant Hennessy winner Smad Place.

Vautour, for me, is too short at 3/1. That might look generous in hindsight if he turns on the turbos and demolishes his rivals but with soft ground and a strong gallop likely at Kempton the jury is still out as to whether Vautour is a horse who can stay 3m and beyond.

Don Cossack has done everything right this season and looks to have matured physically and mentally since last season. His victory at Aintree in April seemed to be the making of him but this is his biggest test.

Cue Card will take all the beating if he arrives in the same nick as when running away with the Betfair Chase. Colin Tizzard’s yard is in cracking form and Paddy Brennan has struck up a wonderful rapport with the horse.

Another stable firing in big race winners is that of Alan King and the decision to run SMAD PLACE has given the race an added edge. He routed a strong field in the Hennessy and that remains the best performance by a chaser this season. He may have to wrestle the lead off Vautour and Silviniaco Conti but one thing is steering me towards Smad Place. The manner in which he won a 2m 4f Graduation Chase around Kempton on November 2 convinced me that the King George would be tailormade for this beautiful grey. He glided over the fences and enjoyed himself, and that confidence and panache was carried over to the Hennessy where he produced a jumping performance rarely seen.

The fact he is being allowed to run four weeks after the Hennessy tells us that the horse, who usually has a much longer break between his races, is very well. The 33/1 available after he won at Kempton has long gone. But if Wayne Hutchinson is as positive as he was at Newbury then I feel the 9/1 still available offers the best value in the race.

Verdict

  1. Smad Place
  2. Cue Card
  3. Don Cossack

 

 

 

 

2 thoughts on “King George VI Chase preview”

  1. Graham Oliver says:

    Hi Jason,

    What a great couple of days racing from Kempton Park. Although i did fancy Vautour to win the King George, I was delighted to watch Cue Card get up to win a thrilling renewal of the King George.

    Lizzie Kelly rode a marvelous race to win the Kauto Star Novices Chase on Tea For Two, and I wonder if we may see this combination win a Grand National in a few years time. Connections did have doubt’s beforehand about the winner staying three miles, however he ran on really strongly to take this prize. He seems to have a great future. I will keep my fingers crossed.

    Faugheen showed that he is in a class of his own in the Christmas Hurdle, and even at the half-way stage of the season he looks to have he Champion Hurdle at his mercy.

    Finally, the best race of the meeting. It made the hairs on my back stand up as the three principals, Sire De Grugy, Sprinter Sacre, and Vibrato Valtat were virtually line abreast as they entered the straight for the final time in the Desert Orchid Chase. What a race the first two made of it. Although Sprinter collected the spoils, all credit must also go to Grugy, who survived a blunder at the last to stretch Sprinter Sacre to the line.

    This was as exciting a horse race as you will ever get away from Cheltenham in March or the Grand National. It is certainly my race of the season so far, absolutely top notch.

    Thank you to all concerned for two fabulous day’s racing.

    Cheers!

  2. Graham Oliver says:

    Hi Jason,

    A Happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year to you and your family.
    I hope to see you proved right in the King George. Smad Place looked a much improved horse in the Hennessy. We could do with a top class three miler this side of the Irish Sea, now that unfortunately Coneygree is out for the season. Although my heart will be willing a victory for your selection, I do have a feeling that Vautour is a star waiting to be born. On this one occasion I hope to be proved wrong.

    I have no particular fancy for any runners elsewhere, but I imagine that one or two of Mullins will triumph.

    Even without betting, there is some exciting racing and football to be had, and I look forward to lazily relaxing in my chair (with a glass of something in my hand)and watching the racing.

    For the coming year I would be delighted to see Minding announced as a possible for the Derby. She is my long term fancy, together with Marcel (I am confident he will stay the trip) and Ulysses from Freemason Lodge.

    In football (now I don’t want to hear any guffaws) I am hoping for a better season than the last few for Leeds United, possibly ending in the play-offs. I do admit the play-offs is more of a dream than I should sensibly hope.

    Cheers!

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