Stuart Williams takes an in-depth look at the runners for the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.
King George VI Chase Preview & Runners Guide
The King George VI Chase has long been the showpiece contest of the entire festive schedule given its association with some of the greatest horses to ever grace the track, with Kauto Star, Best Mate, One Man, Desert Orchid, Wayward Lad, Captain Christy, Pendil and the legendary Arkle all featuring on the long list of honour.
Many of those past greats landed this race on more than one occasion, and Clan Des Obeaux will look to secure his third straight success, and Paul Nicholls' twelfth victory overall, in this year's eagerly anticipated renewal. However, he faces stern opposition in bid for a hat-trick, most notably from stablemate Cyrname, who is officially rated 5lbs his superior and arrives on the back of a smooth success at Wetherby.
Unfortunately Monalee, who looked set to play a major part in proceedings, will miss out this year following the travel ban between Britain and Ireland. However, the unexpected presence of Santini adds further spice to the pot and, as always, we will take a look at each of the nine contenders before drawing any conclusions.
King George VI Chase Runners
Clan Des Obeaux
Clan Des Obeaux has landed this prestigious staying prize in each of the last two years, defeating stablemate and chief market rival Cyrname when recording an impressive 21 lengths success 12 months ago. It is perhaps fair to say that last year's race fell apart somewhat. However, Paul Nicholls' classy eight-year-old is clearly well suited by the demands of Kempton Park and, given that the Cheltenham Gold Cup is no longer an aspiration for connections, he will be trained to the second for his major target of the season.
Much has been made of the hard race that Clan Des Obeaux endured when chasing home Bristol De Mai in the Betfair Chase at Haydock. However, I don't think he had as hard a race as many are suggesting and Paul Nicholls was keen to stress that he was a lot fitter ahead of his seasonal reappearance this year, which will undoubtedly have aided his recovery.
The hat-trick seeking son of Kapgarde travelled and jumped well in the heavy Haydock ground and was always going to improve markedly for the outing. Indeed, he boasts impressive form-figures of 21111 on his second seasonal outing and it would be an understatement to say that Paul Nicholls knows how to prepare one for Kempton's showpiece contest given that he has provided the winner on no fewer than 11 occasions.
The presence of stablemate Frodon should ensure a truly run race which will favour a proven stayer such as Clan Des Obeaux, who also boasts the tactical speed to track the pace throughout.
The reigning champ will be having just his second start since undergoing wind surgery and he won this race on decent ground two-years-ago, therefore quicker conditions are not an issue. It's clear to see that he boasts a very solid profile heading into this year's contest, and the race has a tendency of churning out repeat winners. Therefore, while official figures may disagree, it's easy to make a case that he is firmly the one to beat.
Cyrname
The highest rated horse in training ran out an impressive winner of the Grade 2 Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby in October and will now look to avenge his defeat of 12 months ago when proving no match for stablemate Clan Des Obeaux.
It's fair to say that Cyrname is in a much better place this year as he didn't have too hard a race at Wetherby and has had the best part of two months to recover. While last year he arrived following a clash of the titans with Altior on very soft ground at Ascot, which seemingly left both horses feeling the effects for the remainder of the season.
Cyrname, who boasts form-figures of 112 at Kempton, proved both his stamina and tactical versatility when victorious at Wetherby, as he settled well and took a lead before going about his business. These factors will undoubtedly fill Harry Cobden with confidence on Saturday, as will the return to a right-handed track.
It is worth remembering that Cyrname has earned his rating over two-and-held miles and that this race will provide a much sterner test of his stamina given the grade and indeed opposition. However, he looks almost certain to run a much better race than he mustered 12 months ago having been trained to peak for this contest.
Santini
If asked to name three horses whom you thought may be supplemented for this contest I'm fairly confident that 99% of people would not have thrown Santini's hat into the ring given connections' insistence that a track such as Kempton would not play to his strengths, an argument that is supported by his third placed finish in the 2018 Kauto Star Novices' Chase. Therefore his presence is intriguing to say the least.
This £5,000 roll of the dice is perhaps more about fitness than his prospects of winning given Nicky Henderson's explanation for the entry earlier this week. However, his ability is not in question as a Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up, and he was undoubtedly inconvenienced by the lack of fences when chasing home Lake View Lad in the Many Clouds Chase at Aintree earlier this month.
Clearly Santini will need a strongly run race to bring his deep reserves of stamina into play. However, it is hard to envisage him laying a glove on his speedier rivals under any circumstances on Saturday.
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Lostintranslation
Lostintranslation was sent off a well fancied 15/8 chance in this contest last year following an impressive success in the Betfair Chase at Haydock. However, he failed to lift a leg in defence of his crown last month and he needs to bounce back to his very best in order to play a starring role in this contest.
The scopey son of Flemensfirth underwent wind surgery after being pulled-up in this race last year and it certainly seemed to do the trick given his solid third placed effort in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Therefore it is perhaps best to put a line through his effort last year, however, it's hard to know which Lostintranslation will turn up at Kempton on Saturday.
A brilliant jumper who clearly possesses both tactical speed and stamina, Colin Tizzard's eight-year-old was perhaps inconvenienced by the heavy ground that he encountered at Haydock last month and he is obviously entitled to improve for that seasonal reappearance as many of his stablemates have done this autumn. Therefore could be a big player if bringing his A-Game to Kempton.
Real Steel
Real Steel proved no match for Kim Bailey's hugely progressive chaser Imperial Aura in the Grade 2 Chanelle Pharma 1965 Chase at Ascot last month. However, he should strip fitter for his seasonal reappearance and he rates a fascinating contender given his bold showing in March's Cheltenham Gold Cup.
The intriguing seven-year-old travelled powerfully to the penultimate fence and only weakened up the gruelling Cheltenham Hill. His resume clearly suggests that he is seen to best effect on right-handed tracks boasting form-figures of 1121141P3 (over fences) in comparison to F66 going left-handed. Therefore he will enjoy the set-up of Kempton and will have 2 furlongs less to cover than he did in the Cotswolds, which may prove ideal.
Frodon
Frodon demonstrated that he is as good as ever when defying a mark of 164 over three-miles-and-one-furlong at Cheltenham in October, defeating Cheltenham regular West Approach and subsequent Ladbrokes Trophy scorer Cloth Cap with a customary fluent fencing performance from the front.
Beaten a long way in the Many Clouds Chase at Aintree earlier this month, the ever popular eight-year-old was undoubtedly inconvenienced by the dolling-off of fences and is therefore better judged on his aforementioned Cheltenham success.
The 2019 Ryanair Chase winner also proved his stamina when landing the 2019 Cotswolds Chase and he should be a sight to behold around Kempton if finding his rhythm early doors. However, like stablemate Cyrname, he has achieved his best form over intermediate trips and I have a suspicion that he will be picked-off by stronger staying rivals in the latter stage of the race.
Waiting Patiently
Waiting Patiently was badly hampered and duly unseated Brian Hughes on his only previous outing over 3 miles in this very contest in 2018, and connections clearly feel that they have unfinished business with the race having taken the decision to sidestep the Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown in favour of a second crack at Kempton's highly prestigious prize.
Fragile but talented, Waiting Patiently has only made it to the racetrack on three occasions since and has been far from disgraced in achieving form-figures of 233 when dining at the top table of both the two and two-and-a-half-mile divisions. Indeed, it's fair to say that he looked like a potential superstar when landing the Grade 1 Ascot Chase in 2018 and, with so few miles on the clock after just 13 career starts, it's possible that he has a lot more to offer in spite of turning ten in a matter of days.
Ruth Jefferson's stable-star boasts form-figures of 1111U23 following an absence of 52 days or more, therefore his lack of a recent run is not an issue. However, the yard hasn't sent out a winner since early October, which is a slight cause for concern.
Saint Calvados
Last season's Ryanair Chase runner-up Saint Calvados will make his seasonal reappearance following an absence of 289. However, that may be no bad thing as the the Kate and Andrew Brooks owned seven-year-old boasts form-figures of 111312 following an absence of 56 days or more.
Harry Whittington's classy seven-year-old was progressive last season and his Cheltenham Festival performance hinted that he may be well suited by this step-up in trip. However, these are deep waters in which to test that theory and he is also returning from a slight setback, which rather tempers enthusiasm.
Black Op
Black Op chased home Samcro in the 2018 Ballymore Novices' Hurdle before lowering the colours of the high-class Lostintranslation in Grade 1 company at Aintree. Those efforts suggested that he could develop into a top class chaser in the fullness of time. However, he has only won once from seven starts over fences, and he failed to make his presence felt when competing off a mark of 150 in the Grade 3 Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury last month.
That said, Tom George's nine-year-old did bump into some smart novice chasers last season, and he wasn't beaten far when chasing home Slate House in the Grade 1 Kauto Star Novices' Chase over this course and distance last December. However, these are very deep waters in which to make a splash and he has the best part of 30lbs to find with the two market principles.
King George VI Chase Tips
The verdict
Real Steal is a fascinating contender based on his effort in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. While Grade 1 winner Lostintranslation could go very well if returning to his very best form. However, Paul Nicholls appears to hold all of the cards once again, and while Cyrname boasts much stronger claims now than he did 12 months ago, preference is for the hat-trick seeking CLAN DES OBEAUX, who is undoubtedly seen to best effect over this course and distance. The top class son of Kapgarde has dominated this race in each of the last two years and he may prove too strong in the finish for his higher-rated stablemate, who will endure a much sterner stamina test than he did at Wetherby. Clan Des Obeaux's proven blend of tactical speed and stamina make him an ideal type for this race, and he clearly improves significantly for his seasonal reappearance, as form-figures of 21111 on his second seasonal start indicate. The ground holds no fear's and the presence of stablemate Frodon should ensure a strong pace. Therefore the reigning champ looks the one to beat once more.
King George VI Chase Entries
- Clan Des Obeaux
- Cyrname
- Santini
- Lostintranslation
- Real Steel
- Frodon
- Waiting Patiently
- Saint Calvados
- Black op
