King George - 2022

[Al Ferof]

Do we know if Ahoy Senor is likely to turn up in this?

I know he is unfancied for this race but I like the fact he’s had two good races to be right fit enough for this and he ran a really good race when second to Bravemansgame in the Kauto a couple of years back.

At a silly price, I’d like an E/w interest if I thought he would run. Any knowledge much appreciated

[opatcho]

Trainer mentioned yesterday that the owners are keen to go to KG

https://twitter.com/racingtv/status/1604153187820179456?s=46&t=A_rbNIOZJOi-L7famLXVzg

I don’t understand it though, the horse needs schooling - not taking to a speed track like Kempton where he’ll likley find it way too shape and quick for him

Then again, what do I know lol

[Al Ferof]

Trainer mentioned yesterday that the owners are keen to go to KG

https://twitter.com/racingtv/status/1604153187820179456?s=46&t=A_rbNIOZJOi-L7famLXVzg

I don’t understand it though, the horse needs schooling - not taking to a speed track like Kempton where he’ll likley find it way too shape and quick for him

Then again, what do I know lol

Thanks very much!

Id like him to run - there’s not a very big field in it and whilst Kempton plays to the favourites chances, he still has a lot to prove.

The race looks like cutting up into a very select field,

[opatcho]

Yeah, the field could small, 6 or 7

… and I think LHP will go for it

Eldorado Allen being cut across some of the bookies, still think 20/1 is too big for this fella

[Zachx02]

Yeah, the field could small, 6 or 7

… and I think LHP will go for it

Eldorado Allen being cut across some of the bookies, still think 20/1 is too big for this fella

He'll be in the frame I reckon very consistent

[opatcho]

Quick update after recent decs

Ahoy Senor - has other entries, which doesn’t give me much confidence. Hasn’t improved upon his jumping, although I do think he’ll improve going Right Handed. For me, they have to really change tactics and let this fella go form the off, pace it like a 2 and a half miler, try and get him into some sort of rhythm, but enough of this is ‘jump one, pull him back’, let him go

Bravemansgame - this has been his target all year, probably longer. Very good jumper, ran very well here last year. Trainer knows how to win this. Load of positives, but is he limited?

Eldorado Allen - I like his chances at the odds. I don’t get how the market has him at 20/1 still whereas they have Frodon (already beaten him) and Royal Pagaille (coming back from a set back? Wants soft, this will be his first run out and has other entries) ahead of him!

Frodon - pushing on now isn’t he

Hitman - I’ve never been a fan of horses coming here that have never ran over 3 miles before. Aware this is a sharp 3 miler but still… such profiles find it difficult to feature first time up. Yup, reminds me of Clan in the way he found his initial seasons challenging with very few wins. I do think he’ll run a decent race. I’d have him as a 8/1 shot tbh

L’homme Presse - connections are putting me. Their target is the gold cup and it seems they are laying a path for that goal. Likley the horse who will go on to better things but will this really be his race

Millers Bank - not for me.

Royale Pagaille - other entries, first run out, would need it softer

Envoi Allen - not much confidence in the market. Hard to weigh up… he could be the “oh yeah, he is back to his best and what we thought he’d be”. Arguably has the most solid form coming into this having race - John D, Champion Chase, win first time out


—

So after all of that….. at this stage I think the best bet is Eldorado Allen 20/1 with each way. There’s a possibility Royal P doesn’t come here, and a very small possibility LHP does run, which will cut up the field. He’s already beaten Frodon this season

final review on Christmas Eve :-)

[archie]

Royal Pagaille taken out of the Welsh National so seemingly coming here.

[opatcho]

Ahoy senor runs with Cheekpieces.... I can see why they are doing this... I'd love to see Fox just commit and go for it. Think going RH will help his jumping, but he needs to be big and bold from the front. Only way he's going to get close
But... cheekpieces on a Grade 1 horse, 3 races into their open season campaign... its not great is it

Again, understand the decision.... like I understood to decision to put headgear on Minella Indo, and we all know how that worked out.

[opatcho]

Going from Trax
Going: Good to soft
Windy and Rain We had 14mm of rain in the last 48 hours. Forecast: Potential for 15mm to 20mm of rain leading up to Boxing Day

Decent chance of it being Soft which would be a bonus for the likes of L'Homme Presse, Royale Pagaille - which just happen to be both of Venetia's entries. I recall now the latter being aimed for the KG but was pulled out and went back to haydock due to the going. Its a race they've tried aiming for - however, was missing in November and looks like this is just a stepping stone for decent place money

Will have to wait and see how much rain we'll get, I'm sure I'll be checking the weather forecast on xmas day lol

[Craigy14]

Think I’m going with Envoi Allen, question is to pull now at 7/1 or wait for decs. Can’t see him being out the front 3 and I’m actually happy Nicholls has runners as it’ll hold his price.

He has the speed to go with them on this track but proved last time the stamina is there as well. Rachael on board as well with not much to ride in Ireland Boxing Day.

[opatcho]

No cheekpieces for Ahoy
Tried them on in school, lite him up lol!!

[Benjy23]

All declared! Be good this.

Ahoy Senor Derek Fox
Bravemansgame Harry Cobden
Eldorado Allen Brendan Powell
Envoi Allen Rachael Blackmore
Frodon Bryony Frost
Hitman Sam Twiston-Davies
L'Homme Presse Charlie Deutsch
Millers Bank Jonathan Burke
Royale Pagaille Tom Scudamore

[opatcho]

That great to hear!!

19mm of rain due on christmas day, bound to see more soft into the going description come the race

Was looking at this race again, and I've gone off Envoi Allen, he the most frequent jumper over fences.
There's enough front runners in this race, they could go off too hard in front, but there arent many horses in this line up that appear to travel well in strongly run races, and finish well. I fully expect Bravemansgame and Hitman to jump and travel well into the race, but if they all off too hard then they could pay the price later on. Similar to Torando Flyer last season.
I feel the same could happen again this year, but i'm struggling to find a horse that fits my criteria outside of Bravemansgame - every good jumper, has form at kempton or is a speedy 3 miler, runs off the pace.

Tom booked on Royale Pagaille is interesting, but not soft enough and really want a horse that has had a prep run this season. Otherwise, he would have been high up my list

Like most years, will have to wait until Boxing day to confirm the going… it’s going to be key

[Zachx02]

Come on Envoi! Would be great to see redemption after the horrible year he had since falling at Cheltenham

[Craigy14]

Come on Envoi! Would be great to see redemption after the horrible year he had since falling at Cheltenham

I’m in his camp as well Zach, as long as it doesn’t come up too soft! Think his price was out of line of what they have achieved imo. If he doesn’t win a hope L’Homme Presse makes his mark for the Gold Cup.