The King George VI Chase remains at the forefront of Noel George’s mind, as Il Est Francais prepares to make his return later this month.
The star chaser, who George trains in conjunction with Amanda Zetterholm, lit up Boxing Day at Kempton last year, producing a phenomenal round of jumping in the hands of James Reveley to claim the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase.
A return to the Sunbury venue for their Christmas highlight was immediately highlighted as a goal for 2024, and despite being well-held in his only appearance since and missing the French Gold Cup, connections have not been deterred in their thinking.
The Richard Kelvin-Hughes and Haras De Saint-Voir-owned six-year-old is pleasing his Chantilly-based training team in advance of his seasonal reappearance, which could be at Auteuil on September 28 in the Prix Richard et Robert Hennessy – a race won 12 months ago by Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero’s Geskille.
The outcome of that seasonal bow will determine if British racing fans will get an early sighter of Il Est Francais on UK soil, or if he remains on the continent to complete his King George preparations.
“He’s in great shape and he’s getting fitter every day,” said George.
“He’s not far off his comeback run and we have the option of running him on September 28.
“Our main target is the King George and I think that run will tell us whether we stick to the French programme to get ready for Kempton or come over to England to get ready with a race before.
“The horse will tell us what to do, but he’s in great form and we’re looking forward to getting him back on track. It’s all very exciting and we will see how his comeback race goes then make a plan from there.”
He went on: “We’ve got a few other nice horses to potentially bring over to the UK throughout the winter as well, but obviously we are all looking forward to the King George with Il Est Francais.”
Il Est Francais is currently disputing King George favouritism with Willie Mullins’ exciting Cheltenham Festival-winning Fact To File.
https://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/274950037-scaled.jpg12802560Geegeez Newshttps://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/geegeez_banner_new_170x78.pngGeegeez News2024-09-08 10:29:502024-09-08 10:29:50Il Est Francais limbering up for seasonal return
The first piece of good news I receive regarding the working day is the start time for my pick-up from Leicester, writes David Massey. I’ve heard some horror stories from lads that have worked Boxing Day at Kempton previously. Half-five starts to miss the traffic seemed almost to be the norm, so I’m delighted when I’m told it’ll be a 7.30 collection. That still means getting up at 6.20 for a quick shower and out, but that almost feels like a lie-in given what I was expecting.
However, I’m about to make my first and second mistakes of the day. As I need petrol, I’ve also decided to pick myself up a McD’s breakfast from the restaurant next door to the pumps, and kill two birds with one stone. As it turns out, the two turtle doves remain untouched by shot, as not only is the petrol station still closed, so’s my breakfast. Nothing’s open until 8am. I do at least fill up at a nearby Shell and grab two bars of chocolate, which is entirely within the Breakfast Rules Of Christmas Week.
My lift is waiting as I pull into the car park. From here it should be about two hours to Kempton, with barely a car on the road. If there’s two days when, as a workman, I love traveling, it’s Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. It’s a joy to go to places like Cheltenham and Fakenham when the roads are as clear as a bell.
Having said that, I’m amazed how many cars we see on the hard shoulder of the M1. “They’ve all run out of petrol”, says Irish Joe, in the car with us for a lift. He might have a point. I can’t believe they’ve all broken down, but, like me, I can believe they couldn’t find a petrol station early in the morning and haven’t made it to one before the juice has run dry. Careless, lads.
We get to Kempton around 9.40am and set the two joints up. The pick isn’t for another 90 minutes, so I’ve time to wander off to find a tea and a bacon roll from somewhere. There are plenty of familiar faces to chat to, and I’m delighted to bump into James Millman, who is his usual effervescent self. I like James a lot, not least because he puts plenty of homework into his selections when he’s on the telly; and if you ask him about one from the yard you’ll always get a straight answer. I wish him well for the day, but not before I tell him Hewick will win the King George.
It’s pick time and once we’re settled up, we get up and running. I have to say the crowd does not look huge, but to be fair plenty are still coming in, so there’s reason to be optimistic. As we’re in the Silver Ring, we aren’t expecting big bets, but it isn’t long before the other pitch takes a £100 each-way on Russian Ruler at 4s.
It’s slow to get going on our pitch, mind, only picking up in the half-hour before the race. As tends to be the case on days like this, the general public latch on to the same couple of horses in each race; this is both good and bad: good because the book makes itself, bad because it can mean you’ve got a lop-sided look to things.
Anyway, Blow Your Wad is no good to us in the first but on the plus side, punters now have money to play with. We get betting on the Kauto Star but here’s a problem already - my keyboard has packed up. I can’t take a bet. The last thing you need on a day like this is technical issues. Poor Morley is flat out trying to pay out and take bets whilst I reset everything to try and get it working. Thankfully, after a couple of failed attempts, on the third go it starts working again.
Hermes Allen is backed almost to the exclusion of everything else. One punter does have £120 on impressive winner Il Est Francais at 8-5 (it saves the change) but him aside, it’s a one-sided book.
I’m a lovely, patient soul, as you know, but I have to say this - don’t come to me asking “how does this all work, I’ve never placed a bet before” when there’s a queue of 25 behind you and you want a pound on something. Please ask when it’s quieter, such as when I’ve gone home. (I’ll add she also wanted to pay on her card.)
Constitution Hill time. The inevitable £2.50ew bet comes in early on, as does someone having a tenner win. Those are the only two bets we will take on him, although word reaches us of someone having £100ew at 1-10 in Tatts. A profit of £12.50. You may scoff, but that’s an interest rate you’ll not get at Barclays. The Hill doesn’t come out of first gear, never mind second. Surely they are playing for second come March. Incidentally, as he coasted past the post in front, there were one or two boos among the crowd. Is that where we are now? We boo short-priced top-class horses for winning easily? Hardly his fault it wasn’t much of a race.
Big race time, and everyone’s having a bet. But hang on - the keyboard’s knackered again. Not now, keyboard. I’ve no time to repair - it just gets binned off and we do the best we can. They want Bravemansgame, which is perhaps not a surprise. Plenty of £20 and £40 bets come for him and he’s our loser. Shishkin is second worst. I’m just praying he jumps off, as the last thing I need to be doing is explaining to novice punters they won’t get their money back if he comes under orders and digs in again.
There’s time for a bit of food and a drink as the race progresses, but as they go past us with a lap to go, I remark to Tim, who I’m working with, that my money on Hewick is done. He looks to be going nowhere. Shishkin appears to have matters in hand but somehow Nico is dislodged from the saddle after two out. The crowd roar as Bravemansgame is left in front but a riderless Shiskin gets in his way, and it looks like a fight between him and Allaho for victory. But wait! Who is this steaming down the outside?! Hewick, who couldn’t keep up for two miles and six furlongs of this contest, has hit top gear and sails past them on the run-in! “Never in doubt!” shouts Tim, and the pair of us burst out laughing. What a result, and a short payout queue to boot!
It’s a good job that three of the front four in the market fill the places in the maiden hurdle, as all the punters wanted was fivers and tenners each-way on all the rags. Had Sea Invasion - a horse I like a lot, by the way - got third rather than fourth, it might well have been a losing race. But it’s fine, no damage done and Mahon’s Glory is a cracking result in the last.
We pack the gear up, get paid and all we need to do now is get out of the car park. There are queues of cars everywhere, none of them going anywhere very quickly. Pick a line, join it, and hope it moves. Ours does after about fifteen minutes and we’re out and back on the M3 in twenty. Back to Leicester for half six and home for 7.15. My first Boxing Day at Kempton is done. I’ve enjoyed it, but I’m knackered. Just another year until we do it all again!
Happy New Year everyone!
https://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Hewick_KingGeorge2023.png319830David Masseyhttps://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/geegeez_banner_new_170x78.pngDavid Massey2024-01-02 16:36:352024-01-02 16:36:35Roving Reports: A Boxing Day Miracle
Shishkin left his starting woes behind him at Kempton – only to be dealt a cruel blow when departing the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase with everything still very much to play for.
Nicky Henderson’s mercurial character had refused to race at Ascot on his seasonal debut and while connections reported him to be in good form at home, the only thing they could not be completely sure of was if he would jump off.
His talent has never been in doubt as a multiple Grade One winner over both hurdles and fences, but ever since beating Energumene in an epic duel for the Clarence House Chase at Ascot in January 2022, Shishkin has endured a series of ups and downs.
He was found to be suffering from a rare bone condition when pulling up in the Champion Chase of that year, then was beaten on his return last season in the Tingle Creek and immediately stepped up in trip.
Successful at Ascot on his next outing, he stayed on for second in the Ryanair Chase before flying home to win at Aintree on his first run over three miles – but he opted to take no part at Ascot last month.
He did start with the others in the King George, and although Nico de Boinville did have to roust him along early he soon warmed up and took over in front from Frodon after the first circuit.
Approaching the second-last he was in the lead and seemingly had Allaho and Bravemansgame beaten when he got his feet tangled a couple of strides after jumping the fence, giving De Boinville no chance of staying on board.
That allowed 12-1 outsider Hewick to claim an unlikely victory as he stormed past Allaho and Bravemansgame, leaving Henderson to take the positives from Shishkin’s luckless run.
“I think they say – ‘that’s racing!’,” he said.
“I was delighted with him until then. To be fair, Nico and I had discussed the start (of the race) at length, but we hadn’t really discussed the rest of the race. But he was having a good time, he was jumping great.
“There was all this talk of having to put cheekpieces on him and things – we took them off because it was the obvious thing to do. I think a lot of people thought it might help him, but he didn’t look as if he needed them there did he?
“It appears, and those that have watched the replay have said, that he didn’t do anything wrong. He just sort of stumbled and forgot to get the foot out.”
On future plans for Shishkin, he said: “He’s got to go for the Gold Cup hasn’t he, because that’s the obvious race? He’s not going to come back in trip I wouldn’t have thought. I suppose that’s what we’ll have to do.”
De Boinville said: “I’m very proud of the horse but these things happen.
“I think it was three strides after the fence he came down, I’m not sure what happened. Racing can be cruel.
“He behaved well and I’ve never had a roar like that from a crowd for getting to my feet.”
Defending champion Bravemansgame was beaten a length and a half into second and his trainer Paul Nicholls felt Shishkin’s departure had scuppered his challenge.
He said: “Harry (Cobden) said he was getting a bit of tow from the other horse (Shishkin) for as long as he could, then the other horse had an unfortunate incident, and that interfered with him and that stopped him dead and cost him any chance then.
“He has run a good, solid race. It is a case of ifs and buts. He has run a good race again, and he was staying on strongly again and picked up the crumbs. I’ve never doubted that he stays. He is better on better ground.
“We will get him fresh and well now and go to Cheltenham. I don’t think he needs to go to Newbury as he has had three hard races. Unfortunately he got stopped dead in his tracks today, but you can’t make excuses as incidents happen and he wasn’t good enough on the day.”
Cheltenham Festival winner The Real Whacker was always on the back foot and finished fourth for Sam Twiston-Davies, beaten just over 10 lengths.
His trainer Patrick Neville said: “He stayed on really well at the end, which I was happy with.
“He missed the start for some reason today and we were always chasing after that. I like the way he stayed on at the end and the Gold Cup is still on the agenda. Cheltenham is a place that he likes.
“I think we might go straight to the Gold Cup. Sam said he was always on the back foot, but he just missed the start. There was no one to blame. It was a good run and I’m happy. He has come out of the race well.
“Fair play to the winner, and I‘d take finishing fourth in a King George any day.”
https://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/274950831-scaled.jpg12802560Geegeez Newshttps://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/geegeez_banner_new_170x78.pngGeegeez News2023-12-26 16:18:142023-12-26 16:18:14‘That’s racing’ – Henderson takes Shishkin’s ill fortune on the chin
Hewick – a horse who cost just £800 – came from last to first to win a remarkable Ladbrokes King George VI Chase at Kempton.
Trained by Shark Hanlon and ridden by man of the moment Gavin Sheehan, he looked to have no chance at all for most of the race.
Shishkin had taken up the running from Frodon with over a mile to run and injected pace which had seemed too much for Hewick (12-1).
Turning into the straight Shishkin was going the best, with Bravemansgame and Allaho being ridden to keep in touch.
Over the second-last Shishkin was still seemingly in control, but having jumped the fence perfectly well he lost his footing a stride or two after, unseating Nico de Boinville.
That left Allaho in front and he was being challenged again by Bravemansgame, but coming into contention and just hitting full stride was Hewick.
Sheehan got a great jump out of him at the last and he swept on by to win by a length and a half from last year’s winner Bravemansgame.
The rider even admitted he might have considered calling an early halt with his charge in other circumstances.
He told ITV Racing: “If it wasn’t the King George, I probably would have pulled up!
“I knew that he stays and stays and I just wasn’t able to get going. There’s only a certain amount of questions you can ask them and if they’re not responding, you can’t ask.
“Shark said he’s probably the smallest horse here but he’s got the biggest heart and that perfectly sums him up.
“I was absolutely delighted to get the call from Shark (to ride), it was a no-brainer. To come here and do it like that was amazing.”
Hanlon said: “It’s unreal. I said to Gavin ‘listen, he will stay all day’ but they went very hard and he just couldn’t lay up with them.
“On a tougher track it will be a better job for him, but we are here today and he won which is amazing.
“Coming out of the back I thought we’d definitely be in the first three because he was just getting into a rhythm and just getting going. They were going plenty hard in front.
“We knew coming here there were three or four front-runners and if we were able to lay up with them we’d be happy.
“He cost £800 and I was watching a programme in the week and Ruby (Walsh) knocked him and I said ‘we’re flying now’ because every time Ruby knocks him we win!
“Straight to Cheltenham now. It’s probably the wrong race as he should go for the English National but there is only one Gold Cup.”
He added: “He definitely needs better ground. He is a better horse on good ground. The ground today was lovely. I feel very sorry for Jordan Gainford (out injured) as he made this horse. He minded him when he had to be minded. Jordan will be back for Cheltenham, but if he is not we have a good man to take his place.
“Everywhere last season where I went was too soft, bar America where the ground was perfect for him. There were six runners today and I never thought he should be 12-1.
“It doesn’t usually happen like this when you buy an £800 horse, but we made it work with Skyace and we have made it work with him.
“He is as tough a horse in England or Ireland you will find. The people of Ireland and England love him as well. If you are not in you can’t win and he has shown that anything is possible.”
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Paul Nicholls believes there are “plenty of ifs, buts and question marks” about the field for the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.
The champion trainer targets the Christmas highlight like no one else and will be seeking his 14th success in the race as he saddles last year’s winner Bravemansgame in the Grade One contest.
See More Business was his first winner in 1997 and he regained the title two years later. Kauto Star then dominated, eclipsing Desert Orchid’s four victories by winning five between 2006 and 2011, before Nicholls sent out two more dual winners in Silviniaco Conti and Clan Des Obeaux.
The Ditcheat handler also runs 2020 big-race hero Frodon, but it is Bravemansgame who has Nicholls dreaming of more glory, despite two defeats already this term, in the Charlie Hall at Wetherby and the Betfair Chase at Haydock.
While that puts a slight mark against the defending champion, Nicholls feels the case for favourite Allaho is not totally clear, while Shishkin is on a retrieval mission after refusing to start on his seasonal bow at Ascot.
“We got outstayed at Haydock by Royale Pagaille, but he has run well there (Kempton) before and it suits him well,” said Nicholls.
“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.”
Harry Cobden will be on board again and he told Planet Sport: “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.”
Ireland’s champion jockey Paul Townend has his first ever ride in the race on Allaho
“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,” he told Ladbrokes.
“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.
“My horse is a dual Ryanair winner, along with a Punchestown Gold Cup winner, so we are hoping he stays and that the track suits him. Obviously, I am disappointed to be missing some very big rides at Leopardstown, but having a crack on Allaho in this race makes up for it.”
Nicky Henderson retains full faith in Shishkin’s ability as he tackles a staying trip for just the second time under rules.
Winner of the 2021 Arkle, Shishkin won the Aintree Bowl over three miles and a furlong at the end of last season, but his refusal to race at Ascot means he comes into the King George without a prep run – and slightly under the radar, in his trainer’s opinion.
“When he won the Supreme he was a very good horse, and he is still a very good horse,” said Henderson.
“It has taken us a bit longer than it should have done to make us realise he is a three-miler not a two-miler, but if you win the Supreme, not surprisingly, you are thinking along the two-mile route, not three.
“He has proven what he can do over three miles, so let’s stick to it. He is the sort of forgotten person in the race and no one has mentioned him.
“The only thing I would say is don’t judge him on this, because I think it is very unfair coming into a race like this without a run. It doesn’t mean there aren’t bigger and better things to come. He might run very well and not quite get home.
“Kempton is not a stamina track, except in the King George you have got to stay and be fit because this is the one race where there is no hiding place.”
Patrick Neville’s The Real Whacker is the only horse who has managed to beat Gerri Colombe to date, but he was pulled up on his return to action in the Paddy Power Gold Cup when he went lame.
He will be ridden by Sam Twiston-Davies again and he told William Hill: “Among many, his biggest asset is his jumping and at Kempton the jumps come quick and thick.
“Paddy Neville is really happy with him and says he’s in good form at home despite bits and pieces going against him at Cheltenham last time.
“You can put a line through that as it didn’t really happen for him that day, but he seems to have turned a real corner since then so we’re looking forward to seeing what he can do, especially now he’s got a run under his belt.”
https://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/270376011-scaled.jpg12802560Geegeez Newshttps://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/geegeez_banner_new_170x78.pngGeegeez News2023-12-24 14:27:532023-12-24 14:27:53Nicholls hoping Bravemansgame has the answers to intriguing King George
Man of the moment Gavin Sheehan is keen to see if his Ladbrokes King George VI Chase mount Hewick has the required class to shake up the big guns at Kempton.
Sheehan has seen his career gather momentum following his link with Jamie Snowden and the pair have teamed up this season to win the Coral Gold Trophy through Datsalrightgino, with Sheehan also landing the December Gold Cup on Richard Hobson’s Fugitif.
Shark Hanlon’s Hewick was ridden to Galway Plate and American Grand National glory by Jordan Gainford, but he is currently on the sidelines with injury and while Rachael Blackmore partnered him to win at Sandown in April she is riding at Leopardstown.
After surveying his options for a few days, Hanlon sided with Sheehan and the jockey is looking forward to another big opportunity.
“He’s a nice ride to pick up. You are up against very good horses, but we are there to take our chance,” said Sheehan.
“He’s very much a people’s horse now isn’t he, and I’m looking forward to him.
“He’s got a little bit of toe, he’s run around a sharp, right-handed undulating track so a sharp flat track shouldn’t bother him and he’s got stamina as well.
“It’s just whether he’s got that class, that is what we need to find out.”
He added: “Shark is bullish, but he always is! He said the horse is in great form, he did a piece of work the other day and really surprised him.
“It’s a big race on a big day and a big ride for me – I’m looking forward to it.
“Things are going well, but you can’t count your chickens before they are hatched in this game – you just take each day as it comes.”
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Patrick Mullins is optimistic that Allaho retains enough of his undoubted ability to strike gold in the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.
Two brilliant performances in the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham and a 14-length demolition job in the Punchestown Gold Cup are testament to the Cheveley Park Stud-owned nine-year-old’s talent, but he then spent over a year on the sidelines after suffering a rare spleen problem.
He did, however, make a successful return in the Clonmel Oil Chase in early November – and while Mullins admits he may struggle to recover his previous brilliance, he feels he should still put up a bold show, as he looks to provide his father Willie with a third win in the festive highlight following the previous triumphs of Florida Pearl in 2001 and Tornado Flyer two years ago.
“Since he won the Punchestown Gold Cup and showed he can stay three miles, the King George has definitely been on the radar, and with his owners it’s a nice fit,” Mullins said at Ascot on Saturday.
“He obviously missed last season. Three miles on a flat track suits him. He’s probably a little bit better going left-handed, as he does jump a bit to his left, but he won around Punchestown.
“He’s nine, going 10, coming back from a year off the track, so it’s hard to think he’s still at his very best, but hopefully he might still be good enough to win.”
Allaho’s comeback victory at Clonmel appeared more solid than spectacular to the naked eye, but Mullins said: “I think that was maybe an underrated performance. Janidil is a fair horse and he beat him well.
“We’re very happy with him. His Ryanair wins were Vautour-esque and of course Vautour just got nabbed in the King George (by Cue Card in 2015).
“Vautour jumped a little left and that probably cost him on the day, so hopefully it doesn’t cost Allaho.”
The four-time Grade One winner heads a six-strong field, with last year’s victor Bravemansgame returning to defend his title for Paul Nicholls.
However, the current campaign has not gone to plan so far this term with the eight-year-old suffering odds-on defeats in both the Charlie Hall at Wetherby and the Betfair Chase at Haydock.
Frodon, winner of the race in 2020, gives Nicholls a second string to his bow, with regular partner Bryony Frost taking the ride.
The Nicky Henderson-trained Shishkin is also on something of a redemption mission as he makes his seasonal bow. He refused to start at Ascot last month, while a planned outing at Newcastle was lost to snow and a Fighting Fifth Hurdle prep was scuppered by testing ground at Sandown.
The Real Whacker, winner of the Brown Advisory at Cheltenham last term, and Shark Hanlon’s Hewick complete the line up, with Gerri Colombe and Royale Pagaille absentees, as expected.
Constitution Hill is the headline act in the Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle, which also has six contenders.
Henderson’s two-mile champion is long odds-on to extend his unbeaten run over obstacles, with the Nicholls-trained Rubaud the next best on ratings, albeit some 26lb behind.
The favourite will be joined by stablemate First Street, with Kerry Lee potentially double-handed with Black Poppy and Nemean Lion. Alan King’s Sceau Royal is the other runner.
Il Est Francais represents France in the Ladbrokes Kauto Star Novices’ Chase.
Trained by Noel George and Amanda Zetterholm, Il Est Francais has been a dominant force at home and has five rivals at Kempton, led by Nicholls’ Hermes Allen.
Giovinco, Kilbeg King, Marble Sands and Tightenourbelts also line up, with no Irish representation after Mullins and Gordon Elliott did not declare Grangeclare West, Klassical Dream or Imagine respectively.
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Ante-post favourite Allaho heads a field of six for the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.
Willie Mullins’ runner has won eight of his 13 chase starts to date, including two wide-margin Ryanair Chase verdicts and a similarly impressive Punchestown Gold Cup win in 2022.
He made a satisfactory return to action after a 561-day absence at Clonmel last month and is short price for the Christmas highlight.
Last year’s victor Bravemansgame returns to defend his title for Paul Nicholls, although his campaign has not gone to plan so far this term with the eight-year-old having suffered odds-on defeats in both the Charlie Hall at Wetherby and the Betfair Chase at Haydock.
Frodon, winner of the race in 2020, gives Nicholls a second string to his bow, with regular partner Bryony Frost taking the ride.
The Nicky Henderson-trained Shishkin is also on something of a redemption mission as he makes his seasonal bow. He refused to start at Ascot last month while a planned Fighting Fifth Hurdle prep was scuppered by testing ground at Sandown.
The Real Whacker, winner of the Brown Advisory at Cheltenham last term, and Shark Hanlon’s Hewick complete the line up, with Gerri Colombe and Royale Pagaille absentees as expected.
Constitution Hill is the headline act in the Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle, which also has six contenders.
Henderson’s two-mile champion is long odds-on to extend his unbeaten run over obstacles, with the Nicholls-trained Rubaud the next best on ratings, albeit some 26lb behind.
The favourite will be joined by stablemate First Street, with Kerry Lee potentially double-handed with Black Poppy and Nemean Lion. Alan King’s Sceau Royal is the other runner.
Il Est Francais represents France in the Ladbrokes Kauto Star Novices’ Chase.
Trained by Noel George and Amanda Zetterholm, Il Est Francais has been a dominant force at home and has five rivals at Kempton, led by Nicholls’ Hermes Allen.
Giovinco, Kilbeg King, Marble Sands and Tightenourbelts also line up, with no Irish representation after Mullins and Gordon Elliott did not declare Grangeclare West, Klassical Dream or Imagine respectively.
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Venetia Williams’ Royale Pagaille will miss the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day due to a sore foot.
The nine-year-old was last seen winning the Betfair Chase from Bravemansgame at Haydock in November, the same horse that beat him by 14 lengths into second in the King George last season.
Royale Paigaille was being prepared for another tilt at the Christmas showpiece, but a setback has scuppered that plan and he will instead be aimed at a third successive win in the Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock in January.
The Herefordshire-based trainer said via Instagram: “Unfortunately Royale Pagaille is unable to run in the King George VI Chase on Boxing Day due to a sore foot.
“The timing is probably more painful than the foot itself, and hopefully he will bid for a third Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock in January.”
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Noel Fehily rates winning the King George VI Chase as “one of the highlights of my career” 10 years on from his first success aboard Silviniaco Conti.
A product of the Charlie Mann academy, few in the weighing room can produce a CV to match that of the Irishman and lay claim to being the go-to jockey for some of the biggest operators in the sport.
Among his 1,352 winners were victories for both Paul Nicholls and Nicky Henderson in the Champion Hurdle, while he also counts a Champion Chase triumph aboard Special Tiara in his Cheltenham Festival haul.
He was the first port of call for the master of Seven Barrows when injury to Nico de Boinville presented Fehily the opportunity to ride Altior, while he was in pole position to ride Kauto Star in the absence of Ruby Walsh before his own injury woes curtailed that particular dream.
Fehily may have missed out on the opportunity to link up with one of Ditcheat’s greats in the King George, but there was only one man owners Chris Giles and Jared Sullivan wanted aboard Silviniaco Conti once Walsh had ended his long association with the 14-time champion trainer.
The pair had enjoyed a brief association in 2010 when landing both the Persian War and Ascot Hurdle, but would have to settle for minor honours behind Cue Card in their Betfair Chase reunion.
However, it would not be long before they would turn the tables on the Tizzard stalwart when arriving on the outskirts of London on Boxing Day 2013 for a race no trainer has mastered quite like Nicholls.
“It was an amazing day and is an amazing race really,” said Fehily.
“Cue Card had won the Betfair Chase before that and Dynaste was second and we were third, but we did think Conti would come on that year from that Betfair run.
“Cue Card was an excellent horse and him and Conti did battle plenty of times. After jumping three out, I kind of thought Cue Card had got away and gone and won the race, but Conti stayed very well that day and picked him up. Whether Cue Card stopped a little bit as well maybe, but it was a hell of a good race.”
Although riding at Kempton 340 times over the course of his career, it was the first time Fehily would ride in the King George and get his hands on the trophy.
“The King George is a massive race and is one every jockey wants on their CV,” continued Fehily.
“I suppose in a season, after the Gold Cup, it is the one you want to win for that sort of horse.
“It is the big race at Christmas every season and to have a horse good enough – Silviniaco Conti was amazing – it was one of the highlights of my career, I think.”
Although never quite conquering Prestbury Park with the Cheltenham Gold Cup eluding him, Kempton at Christmas was Silviniaco Conti’s playground and he returned 12 months later to put on a flawless display and retain his title.
“The second King George was probably the best performance of Silviniaco Conti’s career,” added Fehily.
“I think that was the best performance he put up. He was just on fire that day – he jumped, he galloped and dictated the race.”
Silviniaco Conti failed to sparkle in his hat-trick bid in 2015, but went out on his shield in third behind Thistlecrack and old adversary Cue Card in 2016 before retiring at the end of that campaign.
Fehily would bow out of the saddle in 2019 and since retiring has enjoyed plenty of success with his burgeoning ownership operation, the Noel Fehily Racing Syndicates.
The likes of Love Envoi and Hansard have given Fehily and his growing band of owners the chance to celebrate big-race glory and on the 10-year anniversary of Silviniaco Conti’s first King George triumph, Fehily will be represented by the Fergal O’Brien-trained Kamsinas in Aintree’s Grade One Formby Hurdle.
“Kamsinas goes to Aintree for the Grade One and was good at Haydock when he won the Grade Two,” said Fehily.
“He’s lightly raced and hopefully he can keep on improving. It will be a stiff task but hopefully he can keep on improving and he is up to the task.
“We want to be on the big stage and at the big days and when we buy horses, that is the horse we are looking for, ones who can compete on the big stage.
“It’s not always easy finding them horses, but we’ve got some nice youngsters coming through and we hope the likes of Kamsinas can keep flying the flag for us.”
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The Christmas racing programme is always stuffed full of thrills, but this year sees any number of National Hunt heavyweights poised to take a starring role. We look forward to five of the most eyecatching contests in prospect over the next few days.
Ladbrokes King George VI Chase, Kempton, December 26
The Christmas showpiece is always an event to savour, but this year’s contest offers a level of intrigue, too. The Paul Nicholls-trained Bravemansgame beat the reopposing Royale Pagaille by 14 lengths in 2022, before going on to chase home Galopin Des Champs in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. This season has not gone to plan so far though, with defeats in both the Charlie Hall and Betfair Chase – in which he was beaten by Venetia Williams’ Royale Pagaille – putting a slight question mark over his claims. Shishkin definitely has to answer a question after he refused to race at Ascot on his seasonal bow, leaving the Willie Mullins-trained Allaho seemingly in pole position. An impressive winner at Clonmel on his return from a 561-day injury lay-off, there is no doubting the Irish raider’s class, but can he avoid the dreaded ‘bounce’ factor in Sunbury?
Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle, Kempton, December 26
After the weather put a spanner in the works, Nicky Henderson will finally take the wraps off reigning two-mile champ Constitution Hill at Kempton. After a sterling novice season, the six-year-old made a seamless switch to full company and a 17-length win in this contest preceded a demolition job in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham back in March. It will only be a small field at Kempton, with none of the contenders anywhere near Constitution Hill’s class, so if everything goes to plan, we will not learn too much – but we can hopefully enjoy a true superstar in action.
Racing Post Novice Chase, Leopardstown, December 26
Facile Vega was a headline horse even before he set foot on a track. A son of six-times Festival winner Quevega, by top-ranked jumps sire Walk In The Park, it was little surprise to see the Mullins-trained gelding cut a swathe through the bumper ranks before continuing his effortless progress in his first two starts over hurdles. The wheels came off in dramatic style at the Dublin Racing Festival though, when he raced with the choke out and stopped quickly, before having to settle for second best at Cheltenham and getting back on track at Punchestown. He emerged victorious on his chasing bow, but his jumping was certainly not flawless and it will be interesting to see if he is up to the task in tougher company.
Coral Welsh Grand National Handicap Chase, Chepstow, December 27
The withdrawal of ante-post favourite Monbeg Genius prompted a market shake-up, with Jamie Snowden’s Super Survivor assuming the position at the top of the betting for what is one of the first real markers for the Grand National in April. Iwilldoit won the Welsh edition in 2021 and was among the leading lights for Aintree back in April but could not complete the qualifying criteria in time. A victory in this race would surely thrust him back into the spotlight, though it will be a tough test under top-weight in what is usually testing conditions at Chepstow, with the likes of recent Becher Chase winner Chambard in the mix.
Savills Chase, Leopardstown, December 28
This looks like being a proper Christmas blockbuster, with no less than three Cheltenham Gold Cup hopes set to cross swords. We have the reigning champion, Mullins’ Galopin Des Champs, facing up to his nemesis in Martin Brassil’s Fastorslow. A shock 20-1 winner in the Punchestown Gold Cup, Fastorslow proved that was no flash in the pan when beating Galopin Des Champs into third in the John Durkan on their respective returns. Add into the mix Gerri Colombe, rerouted from Kempton by Gordon Elliott due to concerns about the quicker King George ground. Beaten just once as a novice, he was merely workmanlike in winning Down Royal’s Champion Chase on his reappearance, so this could be something of an acid test for the young pretender.
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Henrietta Knight will always be remembered for the Cheltenham Festival exploits of Best Mate. But there was also Edredon Bleu – a horse who always held a special place in his trainer’s heart and who 20 years ago defied his advancing years for King George VI glory.
A dual Cheltenham Festival winner having supplemented his Grand Annual victory of 1998 with a thrilling Champion Chase win in 2000, the gallant bay returned victorious to the winner’s enclosure 25 times during a staggering 57-race career and won the Peterborough Chase in four successive seasons between 1998 and 2001.
However, his finest hour arguably came aged 11 when he corrected the record of his previous King George disappointment to land a 25-1 shock and add big-race success over three miles to his extensive roll of honour.
“It was a bit of a surprise, but a nice surprise,” said Knight of Edredon Bleu’s one-and-a-quarter-length triumph over Martin Pipe’s Tiutchev.
“When Edredon Bleu ran in it the first time he didn’t quite stay, but the tactics were a bit different the second time.
“He led a lot of the way and he was just a gutsy little horse and if he got in front he didn’t like being headed.”
Since Southern Hero won the race as a 12-year-old in 1937 there has been only three 11-year-olds to claim the Boxing Day showpiece, with Edredon Bleu among top-class company in the record books alongside King George legends Desert Orchid and Kauto Star.
It was just the second time he had raced over three miles, with many easily ruling the gelding out on account of a lack of stamina.
But the Edredon Bleu team always kept the faith and his handler knew just how brilliant her Champion Chase hero could be on his day.
Knight said: “Terry (Biddlecombe) always said he would stay – even though he won a Champion Chase, Terry always said ‘this horse will stay further’. He was a remarkable horse.
“He was a fantastic horse and in my heart he is held every bit as much as Best Mate, I adored the horse.”
It was, of course, not Knight’s first King George triumph with Best Mate dazzling the Christmas crowds in Sunbury 12 months previous.
But with her defending champion and Gold Cup hero heading to Leopardstown for the Lexus Chase (now Savills Chase) over the Christmas period, the door was opened for Edredon Bleu to prove he was a more than able substitute and secure leg one of what would be a fabulous big-race festive double.
“It was a fantastic weekend as he won the King George and Best Mate went over to Ireland and won the Lexus,” continued Knight.
“I wasn’t even there the day Best Mate won it as we had Edredon Bleu down at Wincanton and he won there so we had two winners which was nice.
“We thought the Lexus was a better race for Best Mate, the King George wasn’t an ideal race, it is always a very quick three miles and the Lexus was very tempting.
“We didn’t want to do the King George a third time, he had won it on his second go and should have won it the year before as well, (AP) McCoy said he should have won but didn’t think he would stay – Terry always told him he would stay.”
Edredon Bleu’s Christmas triumph meant that he even eclipsed his esteemed stablemate the following year when asked to become the King George poster boy.
Knight added: “He was brilliant. We took him up to Hyde Park Corner as they wanted to use him to advertise the race the year after he won it and he was just stood there with all the traffic going round as quiet as a lamb.
“He was just stood there near the great big statue they have there and we paraded him up there and took lots of photographs to promote the race.”
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Gerri Colombe will sidestep the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase on Boxing Day in favour of a run at Leopardstown.
Gordon Elliott’s charge has won five of his six starts over fences to date, with his only defeat coming when edged out by a short head in the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival back in March.
The seven-year-old was a narrow winner on his return in last month’s Champion Chase at Down Royal and had been among the leading lights for Kempton’s Christmas feature.
However, with the ground at the Sunbury track currently described as good to soft, good in places, connections are concerned conditions may not suit and have decided to stay closer to home, raising the prospect of a stellar field for the Savills Chase on December 28.
Reigning Cheltenham Gold Cup champion Galopin Des Champs could represent Willie Mullins in Leopardstown’s Grade One contest, with the Martin Brassil-trained Fastorslow – who has beaten Galopin Des Champs on his last two starts – another in the mix.
Elliott said: “The ground is just drying up a bit in Kempton and we’re just a bit worried about bringing him over on too good a ground, so we’ll keep him at home and run him at Leopardstown.
“It looks a good race at Leopardstown.”
Paddy Power make Gerri Colombe an 11-4 chance for the Leopardstown race, with Galopin Des Champs the 6-4 favourite and Fastorslow next best on 5-2.
The same firm has the Mullins-trained Allaho as the 11-8 market leader for the King George, ahead of Paul Nicholls’ defending champion Bravemansgame at 2-1.
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Gavin Sheehan is set to partner Hewick for the first time in the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.
Trainer Shark Hanlon was on the lookout for a new rider for his stable star, with his regular partner Jordan Gainford sidelined by injury.
Rachael Blackmore stepped in to steer the eight-year-old to victory in the Grade Two Oaksey Chase at Sandown in the spring, but is set to be in action at Leopardstown over the Christmas period, while Brian Hughes was on board Hewick on his latest outing in the Galway Plate but is also unavailable.
Hanlon has therefore turned to one of the most in-form jockeys in the weighing room in Sheehan, who won last month’s Coral Gold Cup at Newbury on Datsalrightgino and last week produced a similarly brilliant ride when guiding Fugitif to a last-gasp victory in the December Gold Cup at Cheltenham.
“We’re just after sorting it this (Thursday) morning – Gavin Sheehan is going to ride,” said Hanlon.
“I know he had the chance of a good book of rides somewhere else, so I wasn’t sure if he’d ride him or not, but he came back this morning and said ‘the horse has as good a chance as any other horse in the race and I’d love to ride him’, which is great.
“He’s a jockey in great form, he knows the track and he knows the English horses, so it’s great to have him on board.”
Hewick has enjoyed a fairytale rise through the ranks, winning the bet365 Gold Cup, the Galway Plate and the American Grand National during a whirlwind 2022 campaign.
He was well beaten when last seen in action defending his Galway Plate crown in August, but Hanlon is delighted with his condition ahead of his festive return.
He added: “He went to the local point-to-point track this morning as the ground is beautiful and he jumped 12 fences. All the work is done, I just need to get him there now.
“I’ve been on to the shipping crew, who tell me the winds are due to die down on Friday night, so we’re booked on the boat on Saturday morning.
“He’s in right good form. It’s his first run of the season, which you’re always afraid of, but he runs well fresh so fingers crossed.
“Allaho is the one they all have to beat. It looks like there’s a few in there that like to make the running – I’d say there’ll be savage pace in it – but the great thing about our horse is we can ride him however we want.”
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Allaho, Gerri Colombe and last year’s winner Bravemansgame are among eight confirmations for the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.
Willie Mullins sprang a surprise in the race two years ago with Tornado Flyer but that was his first triumph in the race since Florida Pearl in 2001 and in Allaho he has strong claims of a second success in three years.
A dual Ryanair Chase winner, Allaho was being aimed at the three-mile contest last year but picked up an injury which ruled him out of the whole campaign. He returned to action with a win in the Clonmel Oil Chase.
Gerri Colombe has only met with defeat once in his career, at last season’s Cheltenham Festival behind The Real Whacker, and the two are on course to clash again.
Only a short head separated them there but their fortunes have differed wildly since, with Gerri Colombe winning two Grade Ones at Aintree and Down Royal, while The Real Whacker was pulled up in the Paddy Power Gold Cup – having struck into himself.
Paul Nicholls’ Bravemansgame has yet to win a race since his victory 12 months ago. He went out on his shield in the Cheltenham Gold Cup but has been surprisingly beaten in the Charlie Hall and Betfair Chase this season.
He will be joined by stable companion Frodon, winner of the race in 2020.
Shishkin is the unknown quantity in the field after refusing to start at Ascot recently. He proved his stamina for three miles at Aintree in the spring but the lack of a recent run is a concern for his trainer Nicky Henderson.
Shark Hanlon’s Hewick and Venetia Williams’ Royal Pagaille, winner of the Betfair Chase, complete the eight.
Constitution Hill will face a maximum of five rivals in the Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle.
The best National Hunt horse in training will be making his seasonal bow, with his intended comeback in the Fighting Fifth frozen off before Henderson deemed the ground too soft a week later when it was rearranged at Sandown.
His stablemate First Street, Black Poppy and Nemean Lion, both trained by Kerry Lee, Nicholls’ Rubaud and the veteran Sceau Royal are his only possible rivals.
The Ladbrokes Kauto Star Novices’ Chase is due to feature the UK debut of Il Est Francais, trained by Noel George and Amanda Zetterholm in France.
However, he faces far from an easy task, with Nicholls’ Hermes Allen, Gordon Elliott’s Imagine, the Mullins pair of Grangeclare West and Klassical Dream and Lucinda Russell’s Giovinco all potential rivals among nine entries.
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