3 minute read
We take a look at what some of the connections have to say about this year’s King George VI Chase contenders…
Il Est Francais – Neol George (Co-trainer)
Odds – 4/1
"The horse is in great form; he's got an unbelievable coat on him.
"There's been a lot of work gone into him with my vets and my staff and we've got the green light since his last piece of work, so we're looking forward to bringing him back to Kempton.
"He burst a blood vessel last time. We're just hoping he can put in the performance he did last year at Kempton, he seems in the same form, and if he does, we've got a great chance.
"We know that he loves Kempton. If it goes the way it went last year, with no health problems, then I think he'll be very difficult to beat."
Grey Dawning – Dan Skelton (Trainer)
Odds – 5/1
"Grey Dawning is really, really good. Immediately after Haydock, I really didn't expect him to be running at Christmas, but I cannot believe how well he came out of the race.
"To have him in this shape is more than I could have hoped for really and I am very excited about the King George.
"Haydock was his first run out of novice company, and he improved – I think the handicapper said by 7 or 8lbs which is quite an assessment on that ground. I just think he is really good and wouldn't swap him for anything."
Corbetts Cross – Emmet Mullins (Trainer)
Odds – 12/1
"I'm very excited, he'll be a first runner in the King George for me, so it will be a big day,"
"With Mr McManus having Fact To File for the Leopardstown race, I think he just wanted to cover his options and spread them out a bit (over Christmas).
"I thought his first run was satisfactory, the same horse (Heart Wood) beat him on his comeback last year as well. We've had a good enough prep and we're nearly there now."
"There's a chance he might not run, we have a championship chaser, and they are not designed to run on good ground.
"Good to soft would be OK but it's tightening up already and I see there's no rain in the forecast for the next few days, so that will be a worry, and I think it's going the opposite way."
Bravemansgame – Paul Nicholls (Trainer)
Odds – 11/1
"He's back for another crack at the King George having won it two years ago and then finished second twelve months ago despite being hampered at the second last fence.
"It looks a stronger renewal this time but he's in very good shape, looks great and will love the drying ground at Kempton.
He has to improve on his two runs this season, but he has hardly run badly, and I'd like to think he has a lovely each-way chance."
Juntos Ganamos – David Cottin (Trainer)
Odds – 25/1
"I think he's a very good horse with a lot of class, I'm hoping I'm not wrong.
"Last time when he ran, he made a mistake at a crucial point in the race. Despite that, it was a good performance, and I hope he can reproduce that.
"He made a mistake with five furlongs to run and that's where he lost the race, I think he could have won without that.
"I don't think he has to run from the front, he can also be ridden from behind – like any good horse, he can adapt to the race.
"I'm happy with the ground, most importantly it will be a race with a lot of pace and that is what my horse needs, as that suits him down to the ground.
"I'm not saying we are going to win, but I'm coming with a horse who is in good form."
General En Chef – Noel George (Co-trainer)
Odds – 50/1
"I think he's going to run a massive race. I've never had him as good as he is. His first ever run over British fences, he was fourth in the Hennessy (Coral Gold Cup),"
"He probably got there a little bit too soon. We're going to drop him in, we know it will be an end-to-end gallop and it's an easier finish than at Newbury.
"I think he's definitely got a good place chance anyway.
"He didn't start once at Auteuil and always had the hood on. Because he didn't start, I took the hood off, but he hasn't quite been seeing out his races, so I've put the hood back on to help him relax and if he did hit the front, the cheekpieces are there to hopefully mean that he stays there."
*Current odds used are from Paddy Power on 24th December (10am).