Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Kempton's King George VI Chase 2013

Nine are declared for this year's King George. Cue Card, fifth last year, is priced up favourite with most layers while last year's winner Long Run is generally a 10/1 chance.

Last month I tipped Silviniaco Conti for the Betfair Chase at Haydock. Despite travelling well through the race, Nicholls' charge couldn't go with either Cue Card or Dynaste from two out and on face value he'll struggle to reverse those placings yet official ratings indicate he is within one pound of top-rated Cue Card. Nicholls' string wasn't firing on all cylinders at that time; on the same day as the Haydock showpiece Nicholls' first jock Daryl Jacob was at Ascot riding Al Ferof in a match against French Opera. Al Ferof's fencing looked a little ring-rusty there but Jacob stays loyal to Al Ferof.

Cue Card posted a career best to win the Betfair Chase proving he stays the trip. He's likely to race prominently but isn't always the most fluent at the obstacles; on balance I think he could struggle to repeat his front-running feat at this track - last year he blew away his chance with a howler at the first.

Dynaste was an easy winner of the Feltham over course and distance last year. In a very open renewal, I take Dynaste to grab the spoils - he's priced up generally at 100/30.

Long Run, wearing a first-time visor, rates a value each-way selection  at 10/1. Invariably he throws in one dodgy jump on the way round but should the visor do the trick...

On paper the Christmas Hurdle is a match between The New One and My Tent Or Yours. Throughout his career Twiston-Davies has favoured a bold risk-taking approach; he immediately nominated this race after his charge won the International at Cheltenham just 12 days ago, implying his charge had had an easy enough race. I'm not so convinced; I won't have a bet but this track is likely to suit Henderson's charge better.

1 comment:

GeeDee said...

Jockey Joe Tizzard took no prisoners on front-running Cue Card in what looked a brutal renewal of the King George run on very tiring ground.

Of the market fancies, selection Dynaste (100/30jf) was the first to cry enough as they raced to the final bend in the back straight. He eventually finished fifth.

Coming into the home straight, it was a match between Cue Card and Silviniaco Conti; the former appeared to have burned off his rival jumping the penultimate flight but then the leader's stride shortened dramatically allowing Silviniaco (7/2) to jump the last in front and go on to score by three and a half lengths.

Full marks to Nicholls - his charge was fully wound up for this and the horse has reversed Haydock running in no uncertain terms.

Long Run (8/1) doesn't appear the horse of old, even wit the aid of a visor. He was in fourth when hitting the final flight and unshipping Sam Waley-Cohen.