William Hill King George VI Chase Grade 1 (CLASS 1) (4yo+)

26/12/11 Kempton Racecourse 3 mile

   

King George VI is a grade 1 Steeplechase for horses of 4 years and older.

The King George VI is the best top class race at this time of year. Runners often include the best chasers in the country and it's only real rival race is the Cheltenham Gold cup in March.

This race has been run since 1937 and has been won by all the greats including Mill House, Arkle, Pendil,Captain Christy,Burrough Hill Lad,Desert Orchid, One Man, See More Business, Best Mate and Kicking King and also last years winner Long Run and four times winner Kauto Star the list just goes on and on.

This years race looks a really good renewal with lots of questions to be answered today.

Last years winner Long Run is sure to put in a good run today and will come on for his first run of the year just as he did last year and looks a worthy favorite on the good season he had last year.

Kauto Star, like Desert Orchid is one of only two horses to have won this race four times and judging by his last run looks not to have lost any of his ability or enthusiasm and comes here in good spirit. Looks to have been trained with the Betfair chase as his early season target and not this race as would be usual in past seasons but that is not to say he can't run up to his best here and if he did would surly take a lot of beating over this course where he has achieved his highest ever rating. Sure to make the frame and would be the most popular winner ever being the first horse to win the race five times.

Master Minded looks a very interesting runner in this race as he is from the same connections of Kauto Star and it is very interesting that they chose to run two of their best chasers in the same race and although untried at this distance looks to have as much ability as any in the race.

Diamond Harry and Captain Chis both are top class and interesting entries and will not be found wanting top class chases this season, both are consistent and will be asking questions of the others in the race.

Somersby is another of the young pretenders here and has the class for this type of race but will he be good enough today? well we will soon know but it is sure that these are the horse that will be fighting out the best chases for some years yet.

 

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List of Runners

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Race Preview

Captain Chris

A top class, consistent second season chaser trying this distance for the first time today.
The winner or second in 11 of his 12 finished starts and an impressive winner of last seasons Arkle at the festival.
Went on to win the Ryanair at Punchestown.
Was in with every chance when unseated his rider on only start of the season where he did not jump fluently.
He will have to improve to get into the frame here but could well improve over this longer trip today.

Diamond Harry

Top class chaser who won last seasons HENNESSY GOLD CUP at Newbury. Diamond Harry is a very exciting prospect having been a really good hurdler who progressed well to novice chasing before winning the HENNESSY.
Diamond Harry was 4th in the Betfair Chase behind two of his rivals today, Kauto Star and Long Run. Lost pace at the end of the race that day but was off the track for a long time and should finish much stronger today. Good chance of making the frame if one of the top three do not put in a perfect round..

Golan Way

Really good hurdler who has not been so impressive over fences.
Played up and refused to race on first outing of the season and looks to have little chance of making the frame in this top class competitive event.

Kauto Star

Top class first rate chaser who does not owe anybody anything. Twice winner of the Cheltenham Gold Cup (07,09) Also finished twice more in the frame. Four times winner of this race (06,07,08,09). Four times winner of The Betfair Chase the list just goes on and on. This horse has won or been placed 30 times in the 34 races he has completed. He is one of the modern day greats however these French import horses usually tail off their careers earlier than the British or Irish types but Kauto ran one of his best races when taking the Betfair chase 6 weeks ago.
His trainer was completely over the moon at that running and said it was one of the best races he has ever experienced.. 11 now rising 12 he can't have any improvement but would not have to improve but would simply have to run up to his best to win this.
Anyway you look at this if Kauto is well then he should be good enough to make the frame and if any of these are not 100% then he will make them pay. Kauto Star has made mistakes in his jumping in the past and does tend to hit a fence in his races but this happens less and less these days and he was completely faultless in his last race. Another point in his favor is that Ruby Walsh will ride him here and presumably chose this horse over Master Minded for the same connections.

Long Run

Best chaser in the country last season improving all the time. He is another French import who came here after a string of group hurdle and chase wins in France. He joined Nicky Henderson's stable and won his first two novice chases, the first was the grade 1 WILLIAMHILL.COM FELTHAM NOVICES' CHASE at Kempton by 13 lengths and the second the grade 2 TOTESPORT.COM KINGMAKER NOVICES' CHASE by 12 lengths.
He was then sent to the Festival and ran in the RSA chase finishing 3rd 7 lengths and a short head behind Weapon's Amnesty and Burton Port respectively.
Started last season tentatively in the PADDY POWER GOLD CUP CHASE at Cheltenham when his jumping was not good and he eventually finished 3rd almost 5 lengths behind Little Josh.
Then he lined up in this race where he was on song and won the race very easily beating two of today's challengers, Kauto Star by 19 Lengths (3rd) and Nacarat but by 24 lengths (4th)
We did not see him again then until The Gold Cup, when despite making a few mistakes he won really well beating Denman by 7 lengths and Kauto Star by 11 lengths.

Could only manage 2nd to the very impressive running of Kauto Star on the Betfair on his first run of the season but he should be fitter and stronger in this race.
Very much a worthy favorite here today and although a winner of 12 and placed in 4 of his 19 starts he is not unbeatable but is a very formidable runner.

MASTER MINDED

This top class chaser is a two times winner of the Queen mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham festival (2008 2009).
After a disappointing 8th in last seasons champion chase he was stepped up to two and a half miles in his final start when he met Albertas Run in the grade 1 JOHN SMITH'S MELLING CHASE at this course in April. Master Minded was very impressive that day winning by 9 lengths with Albertas Run 2nd..
Has a tendency to hit a flat spot in his races and ran a very poor race in the Old Roan Chase at Aintree when a well beaten odds on fav (3rd of 3).
Shaped up much better at Ascot last time out when his win was never in doubt over 2m3f.
Untried at any distance beyond 2m 5f so we will not know if he gets this trip but if he is as good over three miles as he is around 2M+ then this price could look very attractive and will have a big impact future championship chases.
A very interesting entry.

Nacarat

This top class chaser and a consistent type who ran well in good races last season. A good 4th to Long Run in this race last year with Kauto Star also in front. The horse then went on to win the grade 1 Totesport bowl at the Aintree festival and finished the season with a 4th in the Punchestown Guinness Gold Cup.
First proper run of the season came in the BET365 Charlie Hall, where he finished a tired 4th and then a poor run by his standards in a listed race at Aintree three weeks ago. Looks unlikely to make the frame in this very classy renewal.

Somersby

Third in the supreme novices hurdle at the festival in 09 and 2nd in the Arkle the following season shows the horse has some class. Another trying three miles for the first time today and from a yard that does well with chasersand who have won this race.
A consistent runner and made the frame in 16 of his 18 starts.
Started the season with a good win over 2m4f at Aintree but then came up against a smart Master Minded at Aintree next time but finished a good second, but was a disappointing beaten fav in the Peterborough Chase but did look to be staying on.
If he stays then he could be in the shake up but has to improve to take part in the finish of this competitive event.

 

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Result of the Race

Not Yet updated!

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