The King George V1 Stakes 2013
Posted: Thu Dec 12, 2013 8:05 am
Boxing Day and another big race that often dictates the Gold Cup In March.
This will be the first time In many years that I won't be travelling down to Kempton Park on Boxing Day to see the creme de la creme of National Hunt Chasers. And what a line up we have this year !!!!
This Is a Grade 1 National Hunt Chase open to horses over 4 years old. It's over 3 miles and Incorporates 18 fences. Seen as a prelude to the Gold Cup, this Is an easier race as Kempton Park Is flater and less grueling than Cheltenham.
In the past, this race has been dominated by Desert Orchid and Kauto Star.
Cue Card looks to be the bookies favourite. He put In a poor lack lustre performance In this race 12 months ago but what a comeback !! Winning The Ryanair at Cheltenham In March beating First Luitenant by 10 lengths. His staying ability two weeks ago In the Betfair Chase was nothing short of perfection beating Dynaste, Silviniaco Conti, Long Run, and Gold Cup champion Bobs Worth. On the run In, he swatted the lot of them aside like flies. Has to be a very strong contender for Colin Tizzard.
Dynaste 2nd season for this young 7 year old. Finishing 2nd In the Jewson Novices Chase to Beneficiant at Cheltenham In March. He also finished 2nd behind Cue Card In The Betfair Chase at Haydock two weeks ago which Is a far more grueling track. Given the flatter course at Kempton, he Is at his best over 3 miles and for me the difference In track and firm going may be all he needs to land this one.
He's an excellent jumper and stays all day long.
Al Ferof Another Grey, Is Paul Nichols main contender here. He's a class act this horse and I don't feel we have seen him at his best after Injury took him out for a year. A former winner of The Supreme Novices Hurdle over two miles and former winner of The Paddy Power Gold Cup. He returned to action last week at Ascot winning The Amlin Chase but can he stay 3 miles ????
Long Run Nicky Henderson will be looking at a third win In this race for Long Run There's no denying that some horses just prefer certain tracks and there's no doubt he knows Kempton like the back of his hoof. However, for me, his p.iss more performance at Wetherby last month and the fact that he was just way outclassed by Cue Card and Dynaste In The Betfair two weeks ago leads me to believe he'll struggle unless he gets the soft ground and going that he prefers.
Silviniaco Conti This horse Is one of those little brown jobbies you'd not give a second glance to In the parade ring but myself, I rate him extremely highly. In a race, he's one of those horses you don't notice until the run In when It appears the race comes to him and not the other way around. Winning the Betfair Chase and The Denman Chase last season, he's only had one outing so far this season. Coming 3rd two weeks ago In The Betfair Chase behind Dynaste and Cue Card, again, this Is a young 7 year old who no-one knows just how good he can be. Yes he was out classed on the day at Haydock but with the flatter track I myself I believe he's the strongest stayer In the field.
Captain Chris Almost had Long Run on the line In this race last year.
Philip Hobbs has had him geared for this race after he bizzarly and dangerously jumped out to his right on Gold Cup day at Cheltenham this year. Hobbs made the decision after this that he would only target right handed tracks so this will suit him with the right going. Having said that, he was taken out of his prep race at Ascot last month due to Injury and that's worrying. Again, he Is at least a stayer.
This will be the first time In many years that I won't be travelling down to Kempton Park on Boxing Day to see the creme de la creme of National Hunt Chasers. And what a line up we have this year !!!!
This Is a Grade 1 National Hunt Chase open to horses over 4 years old. It's over 3 miles and Incorporates 18 fences. Seen as a prelude to the Gold Cup, this Is an easier race as Kempton Park Is flater and less grueling than Cheltenham.
In the past, this race has been dominated by Desert Orchid and Kauto Star.
Cue Card looks to be the bookies favourite. He put In a poor lack lustre performance In this race 12 months ago but what a comeback !! Winning The Ryanair at Cheltenham In March beating First Luitenant by 10 lengths. His staying ability two weeks ago In the Betfair Chase was nothing short of perfection beating Dynaste, Silviniaco Conti, Long Run, and Gold Cup champion Bobs Worth. On the run In, he swatted the lot of them aside like flies. Has to be a very strong contender for Colin Tizzard.
Dynaste 2nd season for this young 7 year old. Finishing 2nd In the Jewson Novices Chase to Beneficiant at Cheltenham In March. He also finished 2nd behind Cue Card In The Betfair Chase at Haydock two weeks ago which Is a far more grueling track. Given the flatter course at Kempton, he Is at his best over 3 miles and for me the difference In track and firm going may be all he needs to land this one.
He's an excellent jumper and stays all day long.
Al Ferof Another Grey, Is Paul Nichols main contender here. He's a class act this horse and I don't feel we have seen him at his best after Injury took him out for a year. A former winner of The Supreme Novices Hurdle over two miles and former winner of The Paddy Power Gold Cup. He returned to action last week at Ascot winning The Amlin Chase but can he stay 3 miles ????
Long Run Nicky Henderson will be looking at a third win In this race for Long Run There's no denying that some horses just prefer certain tracks and there's no doubt he knows Kempton like the back of his hoof. However, for me, his p.iss more performance at Wetherby last month and the fact that he was just way outclassed by Cue Card and Dynaste In The Betfair two weeks ago leads me to believe he'll struggle unless he gets the soft ground and going that he prefers.
Silviniaco Conti This horse Is one of those little brown jobbies you'd not give a second glance to In the parade ring but myself, I rate him extremely highly. In a race, he's one of those horses you don't notice until the run In when It appears the race comes to him and not the other way around. Winning the Betfair Chase and The Denman Chase last season, he's only had one outing so far this season. Coming 3rd two weeks ago In The Betfair Chase behind Dynaste and Cue Card, again, this Is a young 7 year old who no-one knows just how good he can be. Yes he was out classed on the day at Haydock but with the flatter track I myself I believe he's the strongest stayer In the field.
Captain Chris Almost had Long Run on the line In this race last year.
Philip Hobbs has had him geared for this race after he bizzarly and dangerously jumped out to his right on Gold Cup day at Cheltenham this year. Hobbs made the decision after this that he would only target right handed tracks so this will suit him with the right going. Having said that, he was taken out of his prep race at Ascot last month due to Injury and that's worrying. Again, he Is at least a stayer.