King George VI Chase: Timeform preview, tip and free racecard
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Something of a depleted field for Kempton’s traditional Boxing Day highlight, the King George VI Chase (14:30), with Gerri Colombe remaining in Ireland and Betfair Chase winner/last year’s runner-up Royale Pagaille ruled out with a sore foot, but that still leaves a trio of top-class chasers heading the ratings in a field of six which includes a couple of past winners.
Allaho (189) finally makes his appearance in a King George after being talked of as a potential runner in previous seasons and having had to miss the whole of the 2022/23 campaign. His impressive cv for 'Hot Trainer' Willie Mullins includes two victories in the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham and, significantly, a first win over three miles over fences in the 2022 Punchestown Gold Cup in which he beat former dual King George winner Clan des Obeaux 14 lengths with a typical display of bold jumping and strong galloping out in front.
Allaho returned from 19 months off the track with a win in the three-runner Clonmel Oil Chase last month in which he made the most of a straightforward opportunity in beating stablemate Janidil by nine lengths in receipt of weight, his jumping not as fluent as usual but understandably so, perhaps, taking his absence into account. On a track which promises to suit his style of racing ideally, he’ll be hard to catch if anywhere near his best.
Bravemansgame (183) took Paul Nicholls’ record number of King George wins to 13 last year and bids to join the stable’s See More Business, Silviniaco Conti and Clan des Obeaux who all won it twice, in addition, of course to Kauto Star. Also successful in the novice chase named after the five-time winner two years ago, Bravemansgame took his form to another level in last year’s King George, having the race won when nearest challenger L’Homme Presse unseated at the last.
Bravemansgame ran to a similar level in defeat when placed in the Gold Cups at Cheltenham and Punchestown on his subsequent starts but has returned with a couple of odds-on defeats in the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby (which he won last year) and the Betfair Chase which he didn’t contest last season. His Haydock defeat to Royale Pagaille when he didn’t fully see things out was the more disappointing of those runs but a revival back at a track which clearly suits him very well - he has the 'Horses For Courses' flag, not to mention his trainer’s unrivalled record in this contest and current form (another 'Hot Trainer'), certainly wouldn’t come as a surprise.
Shishkin (187§) plainly has the ability to threaten the pair named above but his refusal to jump off on his intended reappearance in the 1965 Chase at Ascot last month is a concern. He was fitted with cheekpieces that day but Nicky Henderson, he too with the 'Hot Trainer' flag, leaves the headgear off this time. While he made his name as a brilliant two-miler (twice a winner at this meeting over that trip), Shishkin’s stamina is less of a worry following wins in the Ascot Chase and the Bowl at Aintree last season, proving strong at the finish in the latter contest over three miles and a furlong in beating Ahoy Senor and A Plus Tard.
The remainder have a bit to find but Hewick (176) has a fine record for Shark Hanlon who nonetheless has the 'Cold Trainer' flag at present, some bold campaigning being rewarded with wins in the Galway Plate, the Grand National Hurdle in America and the Oaksey Chase at Sandown last season. He might have needed the run when down the field in the latest Galway Plate in August and has been kept fresh since. Another who races prominently, he’s largely been kept away from testing ground.
The Real Whacker (169) goes from the front too and enjoyed an excellent novice chase campaign for Patrick Neville last term when successful on all three runs at Cheltenham, notably when inflicting Gerri Colombe’s sole defeat to date when a short-head winner of the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at the Festival. He had excuses on his return at the same track under top weight in the Paddy Power Gold Cup when pulled up after reportedly being struck into.
Paul Nicholls’ other runner Frodon (168), who also has the 'Horses For Courses' flag, is the senior runner and his best days, such as when winning this in 2020, are surely behind him now, though he went with his usual enthusiasm in the lead before finishing third in last year’s renewal. He also showed he retains plenty of ability when third under 12-0 in the Badger Beer Handicap Chase at Wincanton on his reappearance in a bid to win that race for the second year running.
Timeform analyst’s verdict
If Allaho is still capable of the form he showed when demolishing a bunch of established Grade 1 chasers at Punchestown in April 2022 on his previous attempt at 3m he should come out on top. Last year's winner Bravemansgame can give him most to do, although Shishkin is also more than capable of having a big say if in the mood.
Timeform weight-adjusted ratings
189 Allaho
187§ Shishkin
183 Bravemansgame
176 Hewick
169 The Real Whacker
168 Frodon
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