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SINCE AN 11-year-old Edredon Bleu took the St Stephen’s Day showpiece at Kempton in 2003 their have only been three different horses to taste success in Grade 1 King George VI Chase.
A double from Tom Taffe’s Kicking King (2004 and 2005) was followed by a domination of the staying chase ranks from Kauto Star, a five time winner for Paul Nicholls and Ruby Walsh ( 2006-9 and 2011). That spell was interrupted only by Nicky Henderson with Long Run, winner in 2010 and of course last year when holding off Captain Chris in a pulsating finish to the 2012 renewal.
Long Run will bid to continue the trend this year but the eight year old’s recent form is uninspiring, so hopes rest mainly on his excellent track record of three wins and a second place in four starts at Kempton.
In the assumption then that we will get a new winner the vibes from the various camps of the leading contenders are worth noting.
Colin Tizzard this week gave punters a warning over the health of his Venn Farm yard although was adamant that his impressive Betfair Chase Winner at Haydock was currently unaffected. Fifth in last years running and now favourite to take the spoils this time around a victory would see them upgrade their Cheltenham Festival target from the Ryanair Chase, a race they won last year, to a possible Gold Cup tilt come March.
Paul Nicholls will run his top class grey Al Ferof, well fancied for the race in 2012 before suffering a tendon injury, and back on track for the first time since last Christmas when winning a two runner Amlin Chase at Ascot in November. Nicholls is on record as saying the he always thought “the race was made for him” and punters seem to have weighed in behind the eight year old this year.
Nicholls will also saddle the highly rated Silviniaco Conti, third at Haydock behind Cue Card, a faller when moving well in the Gold Cup at Cheltenham last March and a runner up in the Feltham Novices Chase to Dynaste at this meeting in 2011.
It was the connections of Dynaste though that have made some interesting noises this week. Trainer David Pipe, when filming for the sponsors William Hill on RPTV was very happy with his charge.
“He ran the race of his life ( at Haydock ) and proved he can mix it at the top level which is great for us and the owner. He has come out of it well, he’s bouncing on the gallops and we are pleased with his prep.”
“Cue Card is still the one to beat, you’ve got Al Ferof and Silviniaco Conti but hopefully we can get a bit more out of our fella. We won the Feltham there last year, we obviously like the track and hopefully we can get him there in the order he is at present.”
Tom Scudamore will ride the seven year old and yesterday reported himself “quietly confident” that his mount can turn the tables on Cue Card when they meet again in the Christmas showpiece.
Punters looking for an early wager can read James Boyles Chasing Value thoughts. Current Market: Cue Card 5/2, Dynaste 7/2, Al Ferof 9/2, Silviniaco Conti 6/1 with 12/1 bar those runners
