What better way to recover from all that beer & turkey than sitting down to watch Boxing Day racing and, in particular, the King George? There are 2 other Grade 1’s on the card including the Christmas Hurdle and both these races look top quality even if low on numbers.
Can the young pretenders in Thistlecrack and Yanworth get the better of the seasoned campaigners Cue Card, The New One and My Tent Or Yours?
3.15 Kempton: The King George
There may only be 5 runners but this is surely one of the most eagerly anticipated King George’s of recent years. It has been pitched as a battle between the 2 Colin Tizzard superstars, Cue Card and Thistlecrack. One has “been there, done that”; Cue Card being last year’s victor as well as the winner of 6 other Grade 1 chases including 3 Betfair Chases. The other is the new kid on the block, Thistlecrack. He’s had only 3 starts, all in novice company, over fences but is better known as the champion staying hurdler, winning last year’s World Hurdle.
The other 3 in the race are all pretty decent too; the recently supplemented Josses Hill, Kempton specialist Tea For Two and the former top class Silviniaco Conti who won this race in 2013 and 2014.
So, who wins? I think that 3 of these will all want to be up there from the off. Josses Hill, Silviniaco Conti & Thistlecrack are the 3 and, despite the small field, I think it will be run at a true pace and you’ll need to get every yard of the 3 miles. That said, it’s only Kempton and a flat track so nowhere near as stamina sapping at Cheltenham.
Cue Card is the one to beat and is the one with the least to prove. Even as a 10 year old, he’s still top class and will take some beating. He just missed out on the £1m bonus last year after winning the Betfair Chase and this race, before coming down in the Gold Cup when travelling well into contention. He’s on target again after smashing Coneygree in the Betfair Chase and is not easily dismissed. The biggest concern is that Kempton is probably the one track that doesn’t totally suit him. That said, he’d be my pick here.
Thistlecrack is the big unknown. Yes, he’ll stay and yes, he’s a top notch hurdler but this is a different ball game. He’s won comfortably in 3 chase starts so far, at long odds on in each, but he’s jumping is far from flawless and that’ll be tested here. I’m a little concerned that he’ll be pushed hard for the lead too so it puts more pressure on his jumping and, whilst it would be great to see an up and coming star progress again, I’m not sure I see the value in the best priced 11/8 currently on offer.
After winning the Peterborough Chase, Nicky Henderson said Josses Hill would not be running here but he’s since been supplemented, somewhat surprisingly. I’m not convinced he’ll stay especially with him facing competition for the lead, whilst Silviniaco Conti’s best days are behind him.
Of the 3 up against Tizzard’s duo, I much prefer Tea For Two. He loves it here, winning all 3 starts at the track and needs every yard of this trip. He’s still lightly raced over fences, having had just 5 starts. He won the Feltham on this card 12 months ago but since then has failed to get his head in front. Twice he has faced inadequate trips including when finishing behind 6 lengths behind Josses Hill last time out. His other run was when running well for a long way on his reappearance when, ultimately, fitness told. Conditions look perfect and whilst he’s probably not up to winning this, he’s the one I see that could get near the Tizzard duo. I’m chancing the fact one of Tizzard’s duo doesn’t run up to scratch and that his stamina sees him run into a place.
Back Cue Card to win King George for a 4/10 stake at 2.25 Skybet BOG
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Back Tea For Two to finish in the Top 2 in the King George for a 2/10 stake at 4.50 BetVictor
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2.40 Kempton: Christmas Hurdle
Yanworth is the Thistlecrack equivalent here, whilst The New One takes on the Cue Card mantle and I’m expecting a similar result with the more experienced horse expected to come out on top.
In fact, the race is remarkably similar to the King George in that there are again just 5 runners going to post and it’s pitched as a head to head between the 2 aforementioned runners. That said, My Tent Or Yours will surely have something to say about that whilst Ch’Tibello cannot be totally ruled out. The only runner that isn’t worthy of much comment and is here for the day out and the prize money is 500/1 rag Gray Wolf River.
The New One is a winner of 14 of his 22 hurdle starts and is the highest rated horse in the field by 10lbs. There’s not much you can say about this horse that hasn’t already been said; only been beaten 4 times in his last 12 starts and the winners of those races were the top class Faugheen (2 wins) and Annie Power (2 wins). He will love the ground as I feel he’s better on ground where he can quicken up and warmed up with a win last time out at Cheltenham, beating My Tent Of Yours by over 3 lengths despite giving that rival 8lbs. He’s not a flashy type and perhaps doesn’t get the credit he deserves which is why I think his price has drifted to something backable.
Yanworth is a future star and is a winner of 5 of his 6 hurdle starts, with only Yorkhill managing to lower his colours in the Neptune at the Cheltenham Festival earlier this year. He wasn’t as impressive as many expected last time out but will almost certainly improve for the run. However, the one thing I cannot get away from is that in-running comments of almost every race he’s had suggest he’ll improve the further he goes and connections keep backing that view. His only 3 runs over the minimum trip over hurdles have been when long odds on so I’m just not sure he’ll have enough tactical speed to get past The New One.
My Tent Or Yours and The New One have raced against each other many times and the former came out on top in the Champion Hurdle in March, with only Annie Power getting the better of him. However, he’s failed to get his head in front in 5 races this year and I can’t get away from the beating he took last time out in receipt of so much weight. Whilst he’ll improve for better ground, so will The New One. Barry Geraghty also prefers Yanworth.
Ch’Tibello shouldn’t be good enough and ultimately is a nice handicapper. His price, at around 9/1, is too short and is based on him getting the beat of My Tent Or Yours last time out but that was on bottomless ground at Haydock. This is completely different and whilst he could improve again, I can see no reason to part with my hard earned on Dan Skelton’s charge.
Back The New One to win Christmas Hurdle for a 4/10 stake at 2.88 Paddy Power BOG
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