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Horse Racing 5 Horses To Follow This Christmas: Who Will Win The King George Chase?
The King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day is very much the highlight of the Christmas period for all NH fans, and this years renewal promises to be a high class affair as usual. The ground at the Sunbury track will be key, and the clerk of the course will certainly be hoping that the rain arrives in the next couple of weeks (with underfoot conditions currently on the faster side of good and watering to maintain).
King George VI Chase Betting Odds
The current favourite is the 2018 and 2019 winner Clan des Obeeaux, but has not been seen out since April (when winning the Punchestown Gold Cup) and this is a very warm race to tackle without a prep run.
Chantry House has been well backed in recent weeks after an impressive reappearance in a match at Sandown, and he has now won 5 of his 6 starts over fences without always convincing with his jumping technique.
Perhaps the value may lie with Henry de Bromhead’s Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Minella Indo, who is a top priced 7/1 chance with William Hill.
Minella Indo looked rusty when third behind Frodon and Galvin at Down Royal in October, jumping rather stickily on the soft ground and one paced up the straight in a very truly run race. At the time most from the yard were disappointing or needing the run, but they are in much better form now and the better ground at Kempton is very likely to suit him. He remains with potential after just 9 runs over fences, and the booking of Rachael Blackmore is a very big positive for his chances.
| Horse | bet365 | Paddy Power | William Hill | Unibet | Betfred | Boylesports |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clan des Obeaux | 3.75 | 3.75 | 3.25 | 3.75 | 3.75 | 3.75 |
| Frodon | 6.50 | 6.00 | 5.50 | 6.00 | 6.00 | 6.00 |
| Chantry House | 7.00 | 7.00 | 6.50 | 5.50 | 6.00 | 6.50 |
| Minella Indo | 8.00 | 3.75 | 8.00 | 6.00 | 5.50 | 6.00 |
| Allaho | 9.00 | 9.00 | 10.00 | 9.00 | 9.00 | 9.00 |
| Envoi Allen | 8.00 | 10.00 | 9.00 | 8.00 | 8.00 | 8.00 |
| Fakir DOudairies | 15.00 | 15.00 | 15.00 | 13.00 | 13.00 | 13.00 |
| Lostintranslation | 15.00 | 13.00 | 15.00 | 13.00 | 17.00 | 15.00 |
| Al Boum Photo | 21.00 | 21.00 | 17.00 | 21.00 | 17.00 | 17.00 |
| Espoir De Romay | 21.00 | 17.00 | 21.00 | 21.00 | 21.00 | 21.00 |
| Royale Pagaille | 26.00 | 17.00 | 17.00 | 21.00 | 21.00 | 21.00 |
| Asterion Forlonge | 26.00 | 17.00 | 21.00 | 26.00 | 21.00 | 21.00 |
Odds as at 10am November 25th 2021. Odds may now differ.
Five horses to follow over the Christmas period
Christmas can be a very busy time for punters, with numerous meetings every day and it can be easy to miss a horse you have been looking out for (or been following over the proverbial cliff). At bettingexpert we have noted 5 horses likely to be worth following over the next month or two, all of whom might be decent value and been missed by the wider public.
1- Pay the Piper
This northern stayer has shaped well in four runs over fences so far, and caught the eye when third at Haydock in November behind the top class prospect Bravemansgame. He is improving run to run as his stamina is drawn out, with a step up to three miles likely to suit in time, and his chances might always be underestimated by the market as he is trained by the small Ann Hamilton yard.
2- Bass Rock
Sandy Thomson is a trainer to follow over the next few years, with a lovely team of young horses being brought along gradually, and this progressive stayer relished a step up to three miles last time out. He has the potential to do very well over fences in time, but remains with upside over timber after just eight career runs so far.
3- Brooksway Fair
Evan Williams has taken a while to find the key to this strapping 5-y-o, but he got his act together in style at Ffos Las in November and is very much one to follow over the next few weeks. He was ridden with supreme confidence there by Adam Wedge, parked very wide and with loads to do turning for home, but made up the ground very smoothly and only needed riding after the last to get up on the nod. He can defy the handicapper and run up a sequence over the Festive period, with loads more to come after just 8 runs under Rules.
4- West Balboa
Dan Skelton has his team in blistering form as usual, with much more quality in the yard this season, and this highly regarded mare created a deep impression when making a winning hurdling/seasonal debut at Warwick in November. She settled nicely in rear for the champion jockey Harry Skelton, jumping brilliantly, and cruised clear turning for home in the manner of a future graded winner.
5- Guard your Dreams
This Cheltenham handicap winner was well backed stepping up in class to a Grade 2 at Ascot in November, but never really landed a blow on the decent ground, taking third up the straight behind the very impressive winner Buzz. He will relish a step up to 2m6f or 3m next time out, and a positive ride at a more galloping track (perhaps on softer ground) can see him make the step up in class a successful one.
