3.05 Kempton: King George VI Chase
Preview
The big race in England over the festive period takes place at Kempton Park where 9 runners line up for the King George VI Chase over 3 miles. A high quality field has assembled including last year’s winner Frodon, the 2018 & 2019 victor Clan Des Obeaux, last season’s Gold Cup winner Minella Indo & upcoming stars Chantry House & Asterion Forlonge. The first named sprung a massive shock 12 months ago when making all the running to come home almost 3 lengths in front. He proved that wasn’t a fluke as he has since won a further Grade 1, the Down Royal Champion Chase, finishing some 5 lengths clear of one of today’s rivals in Minella Indo. It was both horses’ first start of this season & it’s a question of who comes on most for the run. Whilst it wouldn’t surprise me if it was the Cheltenham hero, first time headgear puts me off a little as does the track. His campaign is surely geared around retaining his crown in March but any horse ridden by the truly magnificent Rachael Blackmore warrants a second look.
Favourites
Clan Des Obeaux is the current favourite having won the race twice in the past & finishing 3rd last year. Since then he’s been fitted with cheekpieces & made it 2 from 2 in that headgear after landing both the Betfair Bowl & the Punchestown Gold Cup. The lack of a recent run is the biggest worry. Chantry House is an up & coming chaser, boasting an impressive 5 from 6 chase record. That includes top class novice wins at Cheltenham (in the Marsh when profiting from an early Envoi Allen fall) & Aintree. This term, he raced once, winning a straight match with The Big Breakaway at Sandown. He’s hard to write off but this is by far his toughest race to date.
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Betting
In a competitive heat, I fancy Irish raider Asterion Forlonge to come good. He has a rather patchy 2 from 8 record in chases, failing to finish in 3 of those when either falling or unseating but there’s reason to believe he’ll be suited by today’s challenge. First up, this is Kempton, a flat track with slightly easier fences than many of the tracks he’s raced at & secondly, the ground is likely to be no worse than good to soft which he should appreciate. This is his first go at 3 miles but I imagine it will suit & take the speed emphasis away from his jumping whilst his flat speed should help when the tempo does quicken. He was 3rd in the Marsh behind Chantry House last year, staying on well at the end, & then ran a couple of nice races over in his native Ireland to finish the season (3rd in a Grade 1 before winning a good handicap in fine style off top weight. However, what was most impressive was the way he travelled on his reappearance in the Grade 1 John Durkan. He was going supremely well in behind the leader before hitting the front just after 4 out. Every other horse was hard at work but his jockey was still sitting quietly only for a bad mistake at 3 out putting paid to his chances as he unseated. That was some field too, with Allaho, Janidil, Melon, Fakir D’Oudairies, Envoi Allen & Kemboy amongst his rivals. With his top trainer in very good form too, compensation surely awaits here if his jumping holds up & stamina holds out.
Of the rest, Lostintranslation has never sparkled here pulling up in the last 2 renewals, Saint Calvados is racing for the first time since February & is probably just below this class whilst Tornado Flyer is winless in 2 years & looks well held by the selection. I could give a place chance to Mister Fisher who was edged out by a neck by Froden at Sandown in April but he’s the yard’s second string with Nico De Boinville rightly favouring Chantry House.
Tips
Back Asterion Forlonge (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 6.00 Sky Bet (⅕ odds 1-4)
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