The highlight of the Christmas period on the race tracks around the country is the King George VI Chase which as is tradition takes place at Kempton Park on Boxing Day. That is the main event on what is a decent card to get some wonderful Christmas action underway. We’ve scoured the card and are attacking two races on the afternoon.
2.30 Kempton: Christmas Hurdle
Preview
10 runners for this Grade 1 hurdle and maybe it’s a race where Champion Hurdle credentials may emerge. The trainer to focus on looks to be Nicky Henderson who saddles the top 3 in the market.
The most fancied of his trio according to the market is the progressive and potentially top class Fusil Raffles. He’s won 4 of his 5 career starts, including all 3 on British soil. The first of those was the Adonis over this course and distance back in February and he’s followed up in a Grade 1 at Punchestown and the Grade 2 Elite Hurdle at Wincanton. The big question mark was that he wasn’t overly impressive on his last start and will need to find improvement and jump better here. At the price, I’m happy to pass up on his chances.
Betting
I really like Epatante and she’s the pick of the Henderson raiders. She won a pair of novice hurdles, including one here, before failing to handle the undulations of Cheltenham when only 9th at the Festival. However, that’s a distant memory after she comfortably landed a Listed Handicap at Newbury on her reappearance. She travels well, generally jumps well and will love the ground now it’s turned soft. Her receipt of 7lbs could also make the difference too and she’s the one to beat.
Verdana Blue won this race last year and is the most experienced of the Henderson 3 but he’s surely not good enough if the young pretenders continue their upward curve of progression.
Of the others, Ch’tibello is always dangerous but is just below top class whilst Silver Streak can be put into a similar category. If he improves for the switch back to hurdles and the tongue tie, Getaway Trump could be the one for each way money. He won a couple of novice hurdles impressively in the Spring, quickening up in impressive fashion. This year, he’s been switched to fences without success and it’s interesting to see Nicholls pitching him in here. That’s almost a tip in itself but, with this field not the strongest in history, a repeat of his Spring form could well see him in the mix, further enhanced by the 4 places being paid by Skybet.
Tips
WON – Back Epatante for a 1/10 stake at 4.50 Bet365 BOG
Back Getaway Trump (e/w) for a 0.5/10 stake at 11.00 Skybet BOG (⅕ odds 1-4)
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3.05 Kempton: King George VI Chase
Preview
A really disappointing field of just 5 runners for the spectacle of Boxing Day, the King George. Despite the small field, it’s a very interesting race and one that many racing fans will be eagerly looking forward to.
Cyrname is the favourite and who can deny he deserves it? He’s won his last 3, all at Ascot over a trip 3 furlongs short of this but he’s highly likely to stay, especially on this easier track. He’s a front runner and will be hard to pass. In February, he won the Ascot Chase by 17 lengths, handing out a beating to Waiting Patiently. Then, on his only start since, he beat the previously unbeaten Champion Chaser Altior. He jumped brilliantly both times and is a worthy favourite.
Betting
However, I can’t resist backing the most viable alternative in Lostintranslation. Similarly progressive, he’s another excellent jumper who has won his last 3 including the Betfair Chase at Haydock last time out. He’s proven over the trip, travels well and will love the likely soft ground. Colin Tizzard is bullish over his chances and if he can repeat that Haydock performance where front runner (and previously unbeaten at Haydock horse) Bristol De Mai couldn’t hold off his challenge, he’s surely the best value in this race.
Whilst this looks like a shootout between the pair, there are 3 other runners. Aso is outclassed, Footpad has been plagued by injury and last year’s winner Clan Des Obeaux has been deserted by Harry Cobden who takes the ride on Cyrname.
Tips
Back Lostintranslation for a 2/10 stake at 3.25 Coral BOG
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