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 last year by Bryony Frost riding Frodon (pictured top) for trainer Paul Nicholls, as well as the Grade 1 Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle, and the Grade 2 Ladbrokes Desert Orchid Chase on day two. Day two on Monday will be published separately soon. Once again we see a likely reduction in the attendance due to the Omicron variant, whatever happens we should still be able to enjoy this feast of jump racing even if it's just via the ITV Racing channel.
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. 2020 saw a twelfth King George for Paul Nicholls as Frodon scored for Bryony Frost.
Going Report - Good to soft. (Good in places).
Weather Forecast - Expecting scattered showers during the day getting heavier into the early evening and a high of 7c.
12:45 Play Ladbrokes 5-A-Side On Football Novices' Hurdle
2 miles [Class 2 6 runners]
Opening the meeting with a small field novice hurdle, the six are headed by Paso Doble (P Nicholls) was a fairly useful Flat winner who quickly reached a similar standard over hurdles, making it 2 wins from 5 starts when landing odds at Taunton has a leading chance, however will have to jump superbly to see off Broomfield Burg (N Henderson) the JP McManus' owned 5yo has looked a very good prospect winning a bumper and hurdle contest, then runner up twice which should give him the advantage. Both Black Poppy (K Lee) and Robelli (I Williams) are previous bumper winners, should find a race to win soon enough but unlikely to have the quality to trouble the front pair, while Corrigeen Rock (L Russell) and Highstakesplayer (T Lacey) appear to be outclassed today although there is prize money for all.
Result - (2) Broomfield Burg @1/3f [Nico de Boinville].
1:20 Get Your Ladbrokes 1 Free Bet Today Novices' Limited Handicap Chase
2 miles 4 furlongs 110 yards [Class 3 8 runners]
Field is led by Sebastopol who had a sequence of runner up places and should have gone in last time out but fell at the last fence here but should have an each way chance if over that spill. Nicky Henderson runs two here, Mister Coffey was a decent hurdler last season and has had a opening third in his chase career, so the choice from his pair is Bothwell Bridge a winner at Sandown and likely to improve for that experience. Hopefully all eight stand their ground, giving us a chance of a place bet on Your Darling [3rd @9/1]. Bryn Pauling's 6yo won a hurdle and then a chase at Huntingdon and jumped well there before extending from two fences out and should be able to compete amongst these today.
Result - (5) Jacamar @11/1 [D E Mullins].
1:55 The Ladbrokes Kauto Star Novices' Chase (Grade 1)
(formally the Feltham Novice Chase)
3 miles [Class 1 4 runners]
I still refer to this as the Feltham Chase, a field of just four are declared where Paul Nicholls has Bravemansgame here and his 6yo has won both starts over fences so far, and likely to go off a short price favourite here. With a clean round of jumping it's hard to see him losing that unbeaten tag just yet, but here anything can happen. A wide margined winner at Newbury Ahoy Senor should make it a contest despite the small field, should they not be 100% spot on today it's possible that Tea Clipper can make them pay, although there is a nice prize pot for the minor honours and even Kiltealy Briggs will collect min £5k+ just for fourth with a clear round of jumping.
Result - (2) Bravemansgame @6/5 [Harry Cobden].
2:30 The Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle (Grade 1)
2 miles [Class 1 5 runners]
Another small field expected for a race won last year by the recently departed Silver Streak so I expect plenty of nice reminiscent moments for Evan Williams' talented 8yo. Epatante the Champion Hurdler of 2020 probably wasn't ideally suited by speed-blunting conditions when dead heating for first with Not So Sleepy in the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle. The one to beat even though was turned over in this race last year by the aforementioned Silver Streak at odds of 1/5f.
Not So Sleepy also reappears today, should go well again here but has been fairly inconsistent in the past and as a 9yo might not have the scope of others, such as Tritonic a decent flat horse has come on plenty over hurdles though might fancy further in time, certainly in the mix today though.
Result - () Epatante @4/5f [Nico de Boinville].
3:05 The Ladbrokes King George VI Chase (Grade 1)
3 miles [Class 1 9 runners]
The feature race of the day now as nine are declared to line up with Frodon back once more to attempt to defend his crown and Bryony Frost riding after an 'eventful' season on and off the track. Dual winner Clan Des Obeaux also reappears to try and regain his crown too, and we've an exciting entry as Minella Indo the Cheltenham Gold Cup winner is an intended runner with Rachael Blackmore here for just this one ride today. Lostintranslation once looked like a future star but has been pulled up in the last two running's of this and although winning at Ascot on seasonal reappearance would be a surprise winner of this.
Minella Indo won the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March. Shaped as if needing run when five lengths third to Frodon on Down Royal return. The one to beat on Gold Cup form in my view.
Result - .
3:40 Ladbrokes We Play Together Handicap Hurdle
2 miles 5 furlongs [Class 3 10 runners]
Our finale now, the largest field on the card, ten runners headed by Earlofthecotswolds winner of last two starts and also winner of a NH Bumper here earlier in the year. An Tailiur continues to improve, had completed a five timer before unseating next time at Cheltenham, then made up for that mishap with another success at Taunton 4lb higher but could still have further improvement to come and must be high on the list. Our Surprise completes our shortlist in this has famous colours and owners that often seen winning the big races and recent efforts off this mark suggest his turn is not that far away, should get a good gallop to aim at.
Result - (2) Marie's Rock @15/2 [Adrian Heskin].
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