- Mullins ‘Boxing Clever’ in Kempton King George VI
By Andrew Atkinson
The Ladbrokes King George VI Chase over 3 miles at Kempton Park on Boxing Day sees Paul Nicholls trained Grade 1 star Clan Des Obeaux return to action after winning the Punchestown Gold Cup in April.
However fromthehorsesmouth.info turns to Irish challengers going to post, including Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Minella Indo, out to thwart Clan Des Obeaux.
Willie Mullins duo Tornado Flyer and Asterion Forlonge also go to post in Sunday’s Boxing Day star-studded race.
Asterion Forlonge (3.05) ridden by Bryan Cooper is tipped each-way by fromthehorsesmouth.info with Minella Indo under Rachael Blackmore tipped to win.
Nicholls, who has won the King George VI Chase a dozen times, represented by Clan Des Obeaux and Frodon said: “Clan Des Obeaux and Frodon are the two to beat – they’ve won the race, they’re the two champions in effect.”
Frodon beat Minella Indo at Down Royal in November and Nicholls said: “Kempton is a different ball game – it’s a home game for us.”
Minella Indo and Clan Des Obeaux are 11-4 joint favourites, with Frodon and Chantry House 9-2 and Asterion Forlonge 11-2.
Star female jockey Bryony Frost made all on Frodon in the 2020 King George VI. Clan Des Obeaux will be ridden by Harry Cobden: “You know Frodon’s going to jump out and go a nice gallop – dare I say Harry will follow him.
“They’ll both run on their merits – we’ll ride them accordingly,” said Nicholls.
KING GEORGE VI CHASE 3 MILES RUNNERS AND JOCKEYS
- Asterion Forlonge Bryan Cooper
- Chantry House Nico de Boinville
- Clan Des Obeaux Harry Cobden
- Frodon Bryony Frost
- Lostintranslation Brendan Powell
- Minella Indo Rachael Blackmore
- Mister Fisher Sean Bowen
- Saint Calvados Gavin Sheehan
- Tornado Flyer Danny Mullins
King George VI Chase betting: 11-4 Clan Des Obeaux, Minella Indo, 9-2 Frodon, Chantry House, 11-2 Asterion Forlonge, 9-1 Lostintranslation, 14-1 Saint Calvados, 20-1 bar.
Epatante Christmas Hurdle
The Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle one of three Grade 1 races on the seven racecard Kempton meeting, features odds-on favourite Epatante (8-11) Not So Sleepy, Soaring Glory, Glory And Fortune and Tritonic, the latter tipped by fromthehorsesmouth.info when winning a Grade 3 at Ascot on December 18 at 8-1.
Tritonic (2.30) priced at 5-1 is selected each-way with Adrian Hesketh up.
Ahoy Senor Kauto Star Chase
Lucinda Russell saddles Ahoy Senor (1.55) tipped to win the Ladbrokes Kauto Star Novices’ Chase, up against Bravemansgame in a head to head between two of Britain’s best young Chasers.
Bravemansgame was 7 lengths behind Ahoy Senor in April’s Sefton Novices’ Hurdle, with the six-year-old following up the win in the John Francome Novices’ Chase in November when tipped by fromthehorsesmouth.info.
Listed winner Tea Clipper and Jamie Snowden-trained Kiltealy Briggs also go to post.
KEMPTON fromthehorsesmouth.info selections: 12.45 Paso Doble. 1.20 Mister Coffey (ew). 1.55 Ahoy Senor. 2.30 Tritonic (ew). 3.05 Minella Indo; Asterion Forlonge (ew). 3.40 Our Surprise (ew).
WETHERBY fromthehorsesmouth.info selections: 11.52 Kaphumor (ew). 12.27 Sashenka. 1.00 Drumconnor Lad. 1.35 Doyen La Lutte (ew). 2.10 Silver Hallmark. 2.45 Silva Eclipse (ew). 3.20 Applaus (ew).
WINCANTON fromthehorsesmouth.info selections: 12.18 Billams Legacy. 12.53 Precious Eleanor. 1.28 Man Of Light (ew). 2.03 Dhowin (ew). 2.38 Flemcara. 3.13 Corran Cross (ew). 3.45 Final Encore (ew).
LEOPARDSTOWN fromthehorsesmouth.info selections: 12.00 State Man. 12.35 Goven. 1.10 Fil Dor. 1.45 Cullaghs Star (ew). 2.20 Ferny Hollow. 2.55 Golden Jewel (ew). 3.30 Facile Vega.
LIMERICK fromthehorsesmouth.info selections: 12.25 Champion Green. 12.58 Perceval Legallios. 1.33 Daly Tiger. 2.08 Cute Cherry (ew). 2.40 Fire Attack (ew). 3.15 Brandy Harbour. 3.50 Cnoc Nasis.
