Ante-Post Focus on the King George

Boxing Day - King George Day at Kempton Park. A race dominated in past years by Kauto Star, a five time winner, but also won by the likes of Long Run, Kicking King and the returning Silviniaco Conti. Indeed Conti returns with Cue Card, who looked for all money the winner before emptying drastically in the home straight and being overhauled by Noel Fehily to provide Paul Nicholls with an 8th winner of the Grade 1 Chase. Run over a 3 mile trip with 18 fence to be jumped many a Gold Cup hopeful will put their credentials on the line over the festive period at Kempton Park and this year is no different. However one thing that is slightly different this year, especially compared to 2013, is that we look like racing on ground that is genuinely good-soft, no mud-fest on offer this year, and this is one of the key angles I am taking into the race. We currently bet as follows (as of Monday 22nd December)

King George Odds (From Oddschecker)

Last year's victory heads the betting for the 2014 renewal, closely followed by Willie Mullin's Irish raider Champagne Fever. However conditions will not be ideal for Conti, who would prefer softer ground to turn this into a real stamina test, and Champagne Fever is totally unproven at the trip so really priced on his trainer and form over shorter. This leads me to look elsewhere in the betting to find myself a bet in this race.

Philip Hobb's Menorah rates as a great bet for the King George

My selection in this race is Menorah, who will absolutely love the good ground on offer on Boxing Day. Menorah, for my money, has been a totally reformed character this season, first time up winning the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby (seeing off the re-opposing Silviniaco Conti and Double Ross) and then running a cracker in 2nd in the Betfair chase on ground that would have been softer than ideal. His official rating is now as high as it has ever been in his career at 169, and according to Racing Post Ratings his last 3 runs have actually been the best of his life! Gone (hopefully) are the days of inconsistent performances, flashes of brilliance mixed with shockers. Furthermore Kempton is a track that suits, being a 3 time winner here and only disappointing once when pulled up in this event last year. We can forgive that run though as Menorah was running first time up on awful ground for him, far removed from the scenario faced this year. It would have been more ideal if Richard Johnson could have taken the ride, however Tom O'Brien is riding winners for the Hobbs yard in Johnson's absence and I am not put off by his presence in the saddle. We know Menorah has the class to win a race like this as is proven at the top level in the past; he is my selection at a best price of 17/2. At the current odds you can even have a nice e/w bet on Menorah and get favorable terms; better get involved now than on the day where we may had a few non-runners.

King George VI Chase Ante-Post Selection

Menorah e/w 17/2