It could be a White Christmas in the UK this weekend and on Sunday the Gr1 King George VI Chase (17h05) is run at Kempton.
First run in 1937, the race was named in honour of the new British monarch and is rated the second most prestigious chase in England after the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Ten entries remain in the Ladbrokes sponsored event and it promises to be a magnificent race.
(Pic- Kempton Park Racecourse)
Numerous top steeplechasers have been victorious over the decades, but three champions form part of the history and tradition of this great race.
In 1965, arguably the greatest chaser, the mighty Arkle was an easy winner. Rated 212 on official ratings, no other horse has come close to this rating and all future steeplechasers are always measured against the legend.
Twenty-two years later in 1987, the front running grey Desert Orchid won the first of three consecutive King Georges for the recently retired trainer David Elsworth. “Dessie” as he was known to his adoring legion of fans was the all-time fifth highest rated chaser (187). His longevity together with his determination and “guts in the finish” is what this true great will long be remembered for.
Kauto Star rated 191 by Timeform recorded five King Georges between 2006 and 2011 for trainer Paul Nicholls and jockey Ruby Walsh.
Perhaps his fourth King George success represents the best performance by a jumps horse since the era of Arkle in the 1960s.
Kauto Star’s majestic career lasted a decade and he ended up winning 16 Gr1’s, but there’s little doubt he was at the peak of his powers on Boxing Day in 2009.
Ollie Magern and Nacarat set a ferocious pace which dragged most of the field out of their comfort zone, but Kauto Star was always cruising, and he sauntered into the lead on the turn for home before effortlessly drawing 36 lengths clear in the straight.
Paul Nicholls is aiming to extend his record in this race to thirteen on Sunday as he fields defending champion Frodon, dual winner (2019 & 2020) Clan Des Obeaux and Saint Calvados who finished third last season.
Bryony Frost will again be on board Frodon with retained stable jockey Harry Cobden declared to ride ante-post favourite and stablemate Clan Des Obeaux.
Paul Nicholls has kept his nine-year-old Clan Des Obeaux fresh by avoiding Haydock’s Betfair Chase last month. He seemed a bit lacking in pace behind stablemate Frodon here last year but that was on the back of a gruelling race at Haydock.
He looked a different horse in the spring, winning the Bowl at Aintree and Punchestown Gold Cup and will surely go well here fresh.
Frodon returns and has had a couple of months to get over his win at Down Royal where he jumped his rivals into the ground from the front and stayed on gamely to defeat last season’s Cheltenham Festival winner Minella Indo.
The Ditcheat trio face a formidable Irish challenge headed by Minella Indo for Henry de Bromhead.
The eight-year-old’s win over A Plus Tard at Cheltenham reads even better now after his Cheverly Park stablemate’s commanding success in the Gr1 Betfair Chase at Haydock last month. His third behind Frodon at Down Royal on his seasonal reappearance, where he looked as though the race would do him good, should stand him in good stead here.
Champion trainer Willie Mullins sends recent Gr1 John Durkan runner Asterion Forlonge to contest the first prize of £142,375.
The Closutton handler feels the seven-year-old will be suited by the right-handed track and is hoping Bryan Cooper will take the ride. “He was running a very good race in the John Durkan (until blundering and unseating rider) and he is better going right-handed so that looks like an opportunity to have a crack at a good race.”
