Tag: Boxing Day

There are no reports that suggest Willie Mullins’ runner is worse for wear after unseating his jockey, Brian Cooper, in the John Durkan Memorial Chase earlier this month. His travelling ability saw him in the picture against eventual winner Allaho at Punchestown, before he got too low and blundered three fences from home. This is a mistake he has made a few times before, with two falls early last season after similar errors. When he finishes, he normally makes the places against top opposition. He finished 3^rd to Chantry House, who runs here, in the grade one Marsh Novice’s Chase at Cheltenham in March. He also finished a respectable 3^rd to Janidil at Fairyhouse in a grade one over 2^1/2 miles before claiming victory at Punchestown over the same distance that month. His trainer, Willie Mullins, also thinks this horse runs better right handed which shows in his previous three runs but he is stepping up to three miles or the first time.

Last season’s grade one Marsh Novice’s Chase winner. Made his seasonal reappearance with a 37 length victory over The Big Breakaway at Sandown early last month. He also ended last season on a high at Aintree when winning the Grade one Betway Mildmay Novices’ Chase by 32 lengths when closest challenger, Espoir De Romay fell two fences from home. Both these efforts came over the 3 mile distance and the win at Aintree provided a good stamina test, with the previously mentioned Espoir De Romay setting a good pace throughout. Chantry House is five wins from six runs over fences and his trainer Nicky Henderson is happy with his preparation, saying he is sharp. He also said that despite the previous couple of runs they haven’t “taught” him to go 3 miles, but speed won’t be a problem in the King George VI. This is his first time mixing it with some of the more established names in the staying division, having been a novice last season.

Two time former winner of the race in 2018 and 2019. Paul Nicholls’ runner underwent a wind op last season and didn’t finish outside the top three in five graded runs. He won the Betway Bowl by 26 lengths at Aintree and the Punchestown Gold Cup, ahead of two-time Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Al Boum Photo. These two big wins came near the back end of last season after the application of cheekpieces, which appeared to benefit him greatly and he will wear them again at Kempton. The King George VI will be Clan Des Obeaux’s seasonal debut and Nicholls has stated that this horse and Frodon are “the two to beat”.

Winner of last year’s renewal and Cheltenham Gold Cup 5^th. This horse proved a massive problem for the field Boxing Day last year. He made all, but on the 2^nd lap had a tendency to jump slightly left. It didn’t hinder his chances because he corrected immediately after every obstacle. This also caused the horses in behind to follow suit, causing them to lose valuable ground and stamina with every jump. Clan Des Obeaux finished just over 8 lengths back in 3^rd, having been off the bridle before the final bend, Saint Calvados was just behind him in 4^th and Lostintranslation was pulled up. They all run again this year. Frodon’s seasonal debut saw him beat reigning Cheltenham Gold Cup champion Minella Indo by 5 lengths, when winning the Ladbrokes Champion Chase at Down Royal. Frodon’s Jockey, Bryony Frost, has also recorded a big grade one victory in the Tingle Creek at Sandown earlier this month.

Earned his first win since 2019 in the grade two Chanelle Pharma 1965 Chase over 2 miles 5 furlongs last month. He had a 2^nd wind op prior to the run and ground conditions suited. He beat Dashel Drasher by 16 lengths who, although may have preferred softer going, had never lost at Ascot. In the last two renewals of this race however, Lostintranslation has been pulled up. in a Racing Post article after his seasonal reappearance, Joe Tizzard remained confident that the King George VI was the most suitable race for Lostintranslation and that he seemed reinvigorated by the recent operation. The yard are also much happier with his training performances after he was difficult to get a tune out of last season.

The reigning Cheltenham Gold Cup champion. Henry de Bromhead’s charge was beaten by 5 lengths after a brave front-running effort by Frodon in the Ladbrokes Champion Chase at Down Royal in late October. Bryony measured the fractions well and had this horse struggling after the 2^nd last fence. This run was respectable and could make for great preparation, with de Bromhead confident he will be better after the run. This run also reversed the Gold Cup form, as Frodon finished 30 lengths behind this horse in 5^th. His jockey, Rachael Blackmore, won BBC’s World Sport Star award last week and will be looking to add to her incredible achievements in the Aintree Grand National and at Cheltenham earlier this year. Minella Indo is bidding to become the first Irish-trained winner of the race since Kicking King in 2005, who also did it after winning the Gold Cup earlier that year. Wears cheekpieces for the first time here.

Last seen in the grade two Oaksey Chase, losing by a neck to a very game Frodon. This horse appeared to be getting the better of the reigning King George VI champion Frodon, who fought back winning by a neck after a stiff uphill finish. This horse’s highest achievement so far over fences came at Cheltenhem when winning a grade two chase over 2^1/2 miles. His best run over 3 miles was that previously mentioned effort against Frodon and the plan has always been to run him over 3 miles this season. Would prefer good ground.

Has moved stables to Ditcheat with Paul Nicholls and has undergone a wind op. Last year finished 4^th, over 8 lengths behind eventual winner Frodon. his best win came in the grade two Betway Kingmaker Novices’ Chase in February 2018. This year the field has strengthened with the addition of the Gold Cup winner. He wears a tongue tie for the first time here and Nicholls has described him as a “lively outsider”. At his best he finished 2^nd by a neck to Min in the 2020 Ryanair over 2^1/2 miles, with A Plus Tard and Frodon both finishing behind him.

Last seen finishing 5^th in the grade one John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase earlier this month. Asterion Ferlonge unseated rider three fences out. Hasn’t won a race since 2019 and this is his first time running 3 miles since last year’s renewal of the grade one Savills Chase, where he also finished a distant 5^th. In other contests ran over 2^1/2 miles he has shown late progress in races so a step up to 3 miles is thought to suit him.