This event holds some of the most significant races in the Jump calendar, including the Grade 1 Boxing Day showpiece, the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase won for a second year by Clan Des Obeaux (pictured top), as well as the Grade 1 Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle, and the Grade 2 Ladbrokes Desert Orchid Chase on day two. Sunday's meeting will be posted up separately. The possibility of a small group of customers in attendance is no more as more counties go into Tier 3 all meetings for the foreseeable future return to behind closed doors. So we will enjoy the racing from home, with ITV covering the main feature races on each day.
Day one focusses on the race that underpins the entire festival – The King George VI Steeple Chase. The race draws incredible talent as horses, jockeys and trainers compete to leave a permanent mark in racing history. The Grade 1 race first ran in 1937 and was named after the newly crowned king. It was won by Southern Hero who, to date, remains the oldest winner of the race at 12 years old. The King George VI Chase is synonymous with some of the most famous names in racing with Arkle, Pendil, Wayward Lad and Best Mate all taking their place on the roll of honour. 2019 saw an eleventh King George for Paul Nicholls as Clan Des Obeaux notching up back to back wins in the race and is likely to be prepared for a third attempt with the likes of Cyrname and Lostintranslation in opposition.
GOING REPORT - Good to Soft (Good in places).
WEATHER - Expecting scattered showers during the day getting heavier into the early evening and a high of 9c.
12:40pm The Ladbrokes Watch Racing Online For Free Novices Hurdle
2 miles 6 runners
Small select field of six for our opener today, where the top two are probably going to take much of the focus. Paul Nicholls runs FILIC OU VOYOU who has taken well to hurdles and not been out of the first three in all of his runs to date, plenty of experience and likely to be well supported. Dan Skelton has THIRD TIME LUCKI who has raced three times over obstacles winning his first two and then runner up in a better race at Cheltenham of the pair I would side with the Nicholls horse. However bit of a leap of faith as Nicky Henderson runs GO SACRE GO an ex French horse and the type the trainer would have prepared well for this sort of opening, 12/1 would not be surprised if that went very quickly.
Result - (2) Third Time Lucki @11/10f [Harry Skelton]
1:15pm The Play Ladbrokes 5-a-Side on Football Novices Limited Handicap Steeple Chase
2 miles 4 furlongs 11 runners
Top weight HOLD THE NOTE could go well for Mick Channon and staying the trip well for a place is what expect again today, ALNADEM carries famous colours here and has improved with his latest win at Sandown probably the pick of the form on offer today. Support for JP McManus' MR ONE MORE could be significant but his jumping will need to improve here.
Result - (10) Killer Clown @9/2 [Adam Wedge]
1:50pm The Ladbrokes Kauto Star Novices Steeple Chase (formally the Feltham Novice Chase)
3 miles 7 runners
I still refer to this as the Feltham Chase, a field of seven are declared where IF THE CAP FITS can justify his place ahead of the others in the ratings and will see off both Shan Blue and The Big Breakaway. Paul Nicholls has recent Exeter winner ENRILO here who took that one easy enough but this is surely a tougher assignment.
Result - (6) Shan Blue @7/4f [Harry Skelton]
2:25pm THE LADBROKES CHRISTMAS HURDLE RACE (GRADE 1)
2 miles 5 runners
With just the five runners declared this should be a prep race for Champion Hurdler EPITANTE, will be prohibitive odds and Trainer Nicky Henderson also runs Floressa remembering that a couple of years ago his fav was beaten then too (Buveur D'Air beaten by Verdana Blue), personally cannot see that happening again today. Ballyandy and Silver Streak both have something to find with the champion, while even Paul Nicholls would be surprised if Diego Du Charmil got into this so a race to watch for me.
Result - (3) Silver Streak @13/2 [Adam Wedge]
3:00pm THE LADBROKES KING GEORGE VI STEEPLE CHASE (GRADE 1)
3 miles 9 runners
The feature race of the day, where CLAN DES OBEAUX will be seeking a third straight win here, trainer Paul Nicholls has a great win rate but as he runs four here so it's really no surprise. The obvious challenger is CYRNAME who is still the highest rated chaser in training, although well beaten in this last year seems to have come back stronger again and going right handed should see him in a better light too. Lostintranslation was a strong fancy last year too but failed to jump well and his recent run at Haydock was disappointing as well so is passed over. Nicky Henderson is always strong here so last years Gold Cup runner up SANTINI must enter the equation having been supplemented last week for this at a cost of £5k and could be the value against the front two in the market. Some support for one of the outsiders WAITING PATIENTLY who did well two seasons back and only ran once last term when third in the Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown and is a big price could well run into a place.
Result - (4) Frodon @20/1 [Bryony Frost]
3:35pm The Get Your Ladbrokes Daily Odds Boost Handicap Hurdle
2 miles 5 furlongs 17 runners
The finale has attracted the largest field of the day, seventeen handicappers with plenty of experience but most of the older chasers are still way above their last winning mark, so will go with the pair of 6yo's against the field with DRAGON D'ESTRUVAL (N Henderson) and CLASSIC BEN (S Edmunds).
Result - (5) Monte Cristo @25/1 [D Jacob]
Results will be updated during the course of the afternoon, plus we have the second day on Sunday with the feature race the Desert Orchid Chase. Hope you enjoyed a very Merry Christmas.
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