KEMPTON PARK BOXING DAY 'KING GEORGE VI' MEETING 2019

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO EVERYONE

The year feels like it's flown by once again and here we are looking at the end of December with our disappointing season on the flat already finished at Kempton so a nice change of pace as we return today over the jumps for one more big meeting. The annual Boxing Day NH meeting at Kempton Park will be our final event till next year comes around and it of course will feature the renewal of the King George VI Chase and supporting Grade 1 event the Christmas Hurdle.

Will Paul Nicholls win again with last years winner CLAN DES OBEAUX can he rise to the occasion again for a repeat win or will we see another superstar in the making with the talented CYRNAME, also trained by Paul Nicholls who was able to end the run of the awesome Altior (himself now unlikely to line up). Shall we see a challenge from the Irish trainers this year sending over anything special to take on the home team or keep them safe across the Irish Sea and leave it till Cheltenham in March. I can remember when the best of the French chasers came over but that too seems to have stopped now. There are of course plenty of supporting events including the Kauto Star (Feltham) Novices Chase won last year by La Bague Au Roi under the champion jockey Richard Johnson and the Grade 1 Christmas Hurdle which was won by Verdana Blue who sprung a surprise beating stablemate Buveur D'Air who at the time was the reigning Champion Hurdler.

We will have a six race card on Thursday afternoon, plenty of quality events leading up to the King George VI itself at 3:05pm. The going is currently forecast as "Soft", there is a lot of rain expected overnight and throughout the morning itself so this might get closer to "heavy" though the weather should be fine for the time of year during the afternoon although a bit chilly so wrap up warm, maximum temperatures expected 8C.

Here are our thoughts and selections for the rest of today's NH card;
12:50  Ladbrokes 'Free Bet Today' Novices' Hurdle (Class 2) 
2m, 8 Runners
We kick off the Boxing day meeting with a decent novice hurdle, Nicky Henderson usually unleashes a decent prospect here (won this last year with Mister Fisher) and indeed runs two this afternoon with both FRED [WON 9/2] and VEGAS BLUE worth noting, the latter appears to be the main hope with two wins from two so far. Paul Nicholls also runs a pair with ECCO strongly fancied while RED FORCE ONE is co-owned by Sir Alex Ferguson and was only a neck away from winning a listed event at Ascot so market support for this one would be interesting with experience of the soft ground anticipated here today. Away from the top two trainers one to note at a big price could be the Dan Skelton horse SOUTH SEAS who was runner up on debut at Southwell against a David Pipe 'good thing' and could be better than that bare form entitled to have come on for that run. 

RESULT -- 1st :  FRED 9/2.

13:20  Ladbrokes Chase (Novices' Limited Handicap) (Class 3) 
2m 4f 110y, 12 Runners.
An interesting Novice Handicap now, a race won last year by Mick Channon (Glen Forsa) and he saddles HOLD THE NOTE today which is of interest was a good hurdler and could improve for stepping up over fences, one to keep an eye on in the handicaps throughout this season. Venetia Williams horses fare well on the soft ground and her ROLL AGAIN is an ex Willie Mullins a winner recently over 3m on soft going and could be the one to beat. At a bigger price SOLOMON GREY was obviously outclassed up against Cyrname and Altior at Ascot but could be better suited to this trip and opposition and certainly capable of running to a place here. 

RESULT -- 1st :  COMMANCHE RED 4/1.

13:55  Ladbrokes Kauto Star Novices' Chase (Grade 1) (Class 1)
3m, 7 Runners
Formally known as the "Feltham Novices' Chase" this is now renamed as the Kauto Star Chase after the multiple King George and Gold Cup winner, shame to see some of the original names that I had grown up with being replaced. A small field of seven today which limits our each way interest somewhat although should still be a race to follow for the future given the quality that has come out of this event in the past including last year's winner La Bague Au Roi. Colin Tizzard looks to have a strong chance with his SLATE HOUSE [WON 3/1] who is rated highest, BLACK OP is a year older and Tom George's 8yo should find this trip within his range even on soft going. While JARVEYS PLATE has already won a small field contest this season beating on odds on shot in the process and was a listed hurdle winner at Cheltenham last season so commands respect, just wish it was eight runners for the place betting options.

RESULT -- 1st :  SLATE HOUSE 3/1.

14:30  Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle (Grade 1) (Class 1)
2m, 10 Runners
Another Grade 1 supporting event before the King George but it's another relatively small field without any real live Champion Hurdle stars. With the Irish challenge remaining at home and not a lot of depth now in the Champion Hurdle events to be fair we see Nicky Henderson saddling three in this including last years winner VERDANA BLUE, wouldn't be a surprise this time if able to repeat that win but has more competition this time around including stablemate and likely favourite FUSIL RAFFLES who is unbeaten for Henderson including an impressive course and distance success as a novice. GETAWAY TRUMP returns to hurdles after an unconvincing start over the larger obstacles, the Nicholls horse shouldn't be dismissed lightly, while support for Colin Tizzard's ELIXIR DE NUTZ would be interesting and this is my each way selection today was a talented novice and in good hands. 

RESULT -- 1st :  .

15:05  Ladbrokes King George VI Chase (Grade 1) (Class 1)
3m, 6 Runners
Today's feature event only has six entries but its still full of interest nonetheless, ASO would appear outclassed here but there is nice prize money down to sixth place so a clear round will still pick up a nice prize, last years winner CLAN DES OBEAUX commands respect attempting a repeat win, has last years runner up  THISTLECRACK [N/R] in opposition once again but this does seem a race for the younger horses to take control. 

CYRNAME is the obvious favourite and will be interesting to see if the money comes in big numbers, beat Altior last time at Ascot in what was effectively a match and will have to be at his best to see off LOSTINTRANSLATION who himself improved his reputation beating Bristol De Mai in the Betfair chase at Haydock in a battle. And that just leaves FOOTPAD over from Ireland for Willie Mullins, if he stays well then will certainly be in the mix. Should be a cracking race, for me I'm going with LOSTINTRANSLATION [NAP] to improve again, then it's the Gold Cup which should be very interesting this time around.

RESULT -- 1st :  CLAN DES OBEAUX 11/2.

15:40  Ladbrokes Football Acca Handicap Hurdle (Class 3)
2m 5f,  17 Runners
Our finale has the largest field of seventeen, we are headed by CANYON CITY with a 10lb claimer in the saddle which will help but we still overlook and favour LASKADINE a 4yo for Nicky Henderson and Barry Geraghty. 

For me it's wide open and preference is for two big price selections against the field, low weight helps on the soft going, so GORTROE JOE (Dan Skelton) and OSCARSMAN (Sue Smith) won a maiden hurdle but both have recent place form too and are about 20/1 as I sit here writing this.  G JOE PLACED 40/1 !! Nice result on the way out today.

RESULT -- 1st :  HONEST VIC 10/1.

Hope you enjoying your Boxing Day and still have a bit of turkey left over, wish you all the best for the end of the year for those of you disappointed that we didn't have a White Christmas here's what it would have looked like.

We'll be back with a new season on the flat in January 2020 and also at Cheltenham on New Years Day.