3 minute read
Champion trainer Paul Nicholls seems to be relishing the chance of getting Bravemansgame back to Kempton in an attempt to retain his King George crown.
A fourteen-time winner of the Kempton festive feature, trainer Paul Nicholls certainly knows what it takes to win the three-mile Grade 1 prize, saddling the likes of See More Business, Desert Orchid, Silviniaco Conti and Clan Des Obeaux.
The Ditcheat handler will also be hopeful 2020 hero Frodon can bounce back to his very best although it's probably fair to say it's Bravemansgame who carries the expectation from the Lambourn yard.
Bravemansgame arrives at Kempton on the back of defeats in the Charlie Hall at Wetherby and the Betfair Chase at Haydock this season, but Nicholls is confident his defending champion has what it takes returning to Kempton this afternoon.
He said: "We got outstayed at Haydock by Royale Pagaille, but he has run well there (Kempton) before and it suits him well,"
"Allaho came back and won the other day from his time off, but is he as good as he was? There are plenty of ifs, buts and question marks, but we are very happy with Bravemansgame.
"I think he has got a great chance there is no doubt about it. The previous year's winner of the race is always the one to beat and he has definitely taken a step forward since Haydock."
With Harry Cobden opting to head to Ascot last month, Daryl Jacob stepped in for the ride on Bravemansgame, but Bryan Drew-owned eight-year-old will be reunited with Cobden at the Sunbury-on-Thames venue later today.
Speaking with PlanetSport, Cobden said: "The track just really suits him and seems to bring out the best in him. He's a very strong traveller and his jumping really keeps him in the race. If he can reproduce what he did last year, he'll definitely take a bit of beating.
"Allaho looks the main danger to me. He's a very smart horse and Willie (Mullins) doesn't send them over for nothing. He jumps a little bit left which wouldn't be ideal around Kempton and with Frodon in the race, he won't have an easy time of it. Hopefully, that will play into our hands."
Paul Townend is yet to ride in the King George on Boxing Day, but the Irish champion jockey labelled Allaho with 'as good a chance I will get of winning a King George.'
He told race sponsors Ladbrokes: "I can't wait to ride in a Ladbrokes King George VI Chase. It is a very prestigious race which I haven't been to before, so it is all new and I am looking forward to it,"
"Allaho is as good a chance I will get of winning a King George. It's a class race without it being a massive field. You can make a case for everything in it.
