Ante-post preview and betting tips for the King George on Boxing Day.
King George VI Chase
Architect Tips has looked at the leading protagonists and given two betting tips for the King George VI Chase on Boxing Day at Kempton Park.
King George Chase Ante-Post Betting Preview
Favourite Allaho should be in his element
After Willie Mullins confirmed his two-time Ryanair Chase winner Allaho would travel to Kempton to contest the £250K Boxing Day showpiece, bookmakers were quick to react by installing him as the 15/8 favourite for the King George, ahead of last year’s winner Bravemansgame at 5/2. His price has continued to shorten since Paul Townend’s decision to come to England and ride.
The nine-year-old unfortunately missed the whole of last season due to injury, but after a year and a half on the sidelines, he made a winning comeback in the Clonmel Oil Chase last month. Cheveley Park’s standout chaser jumped and travelled with aplomb under his customary front-running tactics, and despite only having two rivals to beat, he strolled to a nine-length success.
He had previously disregarded any stamina concerns by taking the Grade 1 Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup by 14 lengths when stepped up to three miles, and this race has firmly been his main objective this season. If he performs to his best and gets into his relentless rhythm at a course that suits his style of racing, the others might not see which way he goes. He is a worthy favourite.
Bravemansgame to repeat the feat?
It would be fair to say it has not been a plain sailing season for Paul Nicholls’ charge, who has been beaten at odds-on into second in both the Charlie Hall and Betfair Chase, having been expected to win both races. But he might be able to counteract that here by righting those wrongs, given that he is very well suited to this course and distance and was impressive in winning this race 12 months ago.
He then put up some good efforts in defeat in both the Cheltenham Gold Cup and Punchestown Gold Cup and has undoubtedly been campaigned by his handler with this race in mind. This season, though, he has looked far from his best, and it was slightly alarming to see him finish weak and beaten so easily by Royale Pagaille last time out, having thrashed that same rival in this race by 14 lengths last year.
Still, his consistency and record here cannot be questioned, but this does look like a significantly tougher task than both his turnover defeats this term. The reports from the stable and his trainer about his chances are positive, but he will do well to become a back-to-back winner of the race, the first since Kauto Star. I am in two minds about his claims this year, so he’s on the fence until I get to the conclusion section.
Gerri Colombe is a massive danger
This might prove to be an insufficient test of stamina for Gordon Elliott’s leading player, who will need the arrival of plenty of rain, but he has only met with defeat once in 10 career starts and should be spot on in regards to fitness after taking Down Royal’s Champion Chase on his reappearance last month.
It was far from a vintage performance, but he had no right to win from where he was, which was a true testament to his attitude when push comes to shove. What is really appealing is his improved RPR run-by-run, which is an indication that he’s getting better and better, and that can’t be said about a few of the other intended runners.
He was really impressive at Aintree in the Mildmay, a track that has similarities to Kempton but is left-handed instead of right. By contrast, the form hasn’t worked out well, with four of the five who he had in behind, all beaten when last seen. With further improvement to come, though, he is sure to be thereabouts, but I do think he needs slower ground around a course like this.
Don’t rule out Shishkin despite the lack of a run
Nicky Henderson’s six-time Grade 1 winner was formerly a real star in the two-mile hurdle division and chase division, but after going unbeaten in his first 11 completed starts, he’s had his issues since, and a lack of a recent run at this level is a concern, even with his good record when fresh and all of his past accolades.
Nevertheless, he is reported to have worked very well, and his trainer knows what it takes to win this, having tasted success in it three times with Long Run in 2010 and 2012 and more recently with Might Bite in 2017. More interestingly, the nine-year-old is unbeaten in four starts at this course, winning by a combined 55 lengths, and three of those wins came on his reappearance.
Evidently, this place plays to his strengths, and his win in the Aintree Bowl back in April when beating course specialist Ahoy Senor over three miles for the first time underlined his well-being. He also comes out as the second-highest-rated horse in the field here, with only Allaho rated superior, but unlike the Irish raider, he has course form and a lot of it too. That will count for plenty, and he is dangerous to rule out.
King George Chase Tips
ALLAHO (best price 15/8) should be difficult to beat and can hand trainer Willie Mullins a second win in three years in the race. He is a top-class, four-time Grade 1 winner, and while we didn’t learn much from his winning return in the Clonmel Oil over 2m4f on heavy ground, he was still really impressive in beating his two rivals.
This will be by far a stiffer assignment and a different scenario, returning to three miles on better ground, but he looks a custom-fit for this venue, and if he can deliver a display close to what he has done in the Ryanair Chase twice and at Punchestown, it is difficult to see any of the remainder getting to grips with him.
Paul Townend could have stayed on home soil to ride in Leopardstown for the boss, so the fact he will travel over tells us what we are likely to expect this weekend. Another imperious display could well be on the cards from this brilliant and unique beast of a horse. I put my trust in Mullins to have him in tip-top shape to execute a winning performance.
Tip: Allaho 2pt Win @ 15/8 William Hill
At a higher price, I’ll cover SHISHKIN (best price 11/2), who has a phenomenal record here and cannot be taken lightly. After all, he has more Grade 1 wins than the top two in betting combined, and Nicky Henderson wouldn’t be running him without good reason.
His interrupted preparation is a niggle, but that is overshadowed by what he is capable of doing when on song, and his price is too attractive to not warrant a bet. Whether he can win this first time out on just his second start over three miles remains to be seen, but he has the ability to figure.
