King George VI Chase Preview

The King George VI Chase, due off at 3.05 p.m. at Kempton on Boxing Day, once again looks like serving up a festive treat for National Hunt fans. The ante post market for the Kempton showpiece is dominated by last year’s winner, Might Bite (3/1, in a place), but Nicky Henderson’s nine-year-old is on a retrieval mission after trailing in last of five, beaten 28¾ lengths, behind Bristol De Mai (7/1) in the Betfair Chase at Haydock. Henderson believes Might Bite was unsettled by the big, solid fences at Haydock on that occasion, but his mercurial ‘chaser is short enough at the odds on offer.

Bristol De Mai finished 25¾ lengths behind Might Bite in this race last year, so Native River (15/2, in a place) and Thistlecrack (7/1), who were second and third, respectively, in the Betfair Chase, make more appeal. Native River, of course, beat Might Bite by 4½ lengths after an epic duel in the Cheltenham Gold Cup last March and, while he has the ‘Blue Riband’ event as his main aim again this season, looks a leading contender if the going at Kempton remains on the soft side of good.

Thistlecrack, who won this race in 2016 before finishing fourth, beaten 5¾ lengths, behind Might Bite last season, suffered a stress fracture last January, which precluded a clash with Native River in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. However, the ten-year-old is now apparently fully recovered and, while he lacks experience over fences compared with his rivals, remains one to take seriously.

Waiting Patiently (5/1) hasn’t been seen since beating Cue Card by 2¾ lengths in the Ascot Chase, over 2 miles 5 furlongs, in February and, although he tackles 3 miles for the first time, is unbeaten over fences and doesn’t have much to find on official ratings. He could be a potential fly-in-the-ointment if fit and ready to go after a 312-day break.

Politologue (11/2) is another who needs to prove his stamina over 3 miles after winning over 2 miles 5 furlongs at Ascot, in his case in the Christy 1965 Chase, in which he beat subsequent easy winner Charbel by half a length. The exciting grey has 7lb, or 8lb, to find with the best of these of on official figures, but trainer Paul Nicholls believes he’ll stay 3 miles and, if so, must enter the reckoning.

At much longer odds, 2015 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, Coneygree (40/1, in a place), now rising 12 years of age, has had his problems, but deserves an honourable mention after a highly promising return to action when third of 15, beaten 5¾ lengths, in the Betvictor.com Handicap Chase, over 3 miles 3½ furlongs, at Cheltenham last month under 11st 12lb.

Win or lose, Native River has done very little wrong in recent seasons and, with the going likely to remain on the soft side, makes most appeal at the odds on offer.

Selection: Kempton 3.05 Native River (15/2 with Betfair Sportsbook) to win

Neptune Collonges Edges Out Sunhillboy to Win the 2012 Grand National

Shakalakaboomboom and Seabass were the hot favourites in the lead up to the 2012 Aintree National, with both backed into 8-1 joint favourites. Overcast skies were thankfully not accompanied by rain, as the excitement of the race reached fever point. It was this excitement that may have played its part in Tony McCoy’s mount Synchronised unseating the jocky at the tape, escaping the clutches of the stable hands and running free onto the course.

This was followed by further delays, as two false starts ensued from the over keenness of several riders. The anticipation reach fever pitch, as well as the fear that a repeat of the 1993 ‘non-race’ debacle could be realised.

They’re Underway!

Fortunately, that was not the case, as the race got under way to enormous cheers from the Aintree crowd.

The 80-1 outsider Viking Blond was the only faller at the first and all but Tom Scudamore on Junior and West End Rocker managed to clear the second unscathed. Neptune Collonges was the early front runner, closely followed by almost the entire field, with the race yet to take shape.

Over Becher’s for the first time, it was Katie Walsh ahead on Shakalakaboomboom, with the field stretching out as this tough fence reduced the field down to 33 with the exit of the ill fated Synchronised after unseating champion jockey A P McCoy. Going over Canal Turn, the order the remained the same at the front, with the other favourite Seabass well placed in 3rd.

The race reached its halfway point with Planet of Sound around 4 lengths ahead of a now 24 strong field and the pace was proving too much for many of them, causing the remaining runners to spread out over almost half a furlong.

After much jostling for position and several more fences, Becher’s was fast approaching with Richard Johnson on Planet of Sound leading, Shakalakaboomboom second and the 14 year old Hello Bud in third

The National course was really taking its toll, as Foinavon was cleared with the runners down to 16, who were themselves spread out, with the same three horses vying for the title and Neptune Collonges running well a few lengths back. The pace picked up turning for home with 8 horses within touching distance of the front and it was promising to be a tight finish.

Over the final fence, there was nothing to choose between Seabass, Neptune Collonges and Shakalakaboomboom and the excitement remained right to the line, with the Grey Neptune Collonge involved in a photo finish with Richie McLernon after making an amazing comeback to steal it on the line.

One of the most excitingly close Nationals on record was called in Neptune Collonge’s favour by the Judge and it was a fairytale for the horse who was running his last ever race, jockey Daryl Jacob and John Hales who had finally got himself a winner at the 52nd attempt.

What a day. What a race.

Grand National thoughts and ones to watch in 2019

If there's one racing festival or rather a specific festival race that holds both worldwide and national appeal, it's the Aintree Grand National. Taking place each year in the village of Aintree in Liverpool, the Grand National was first run in 1839. That alone gives you a taste of just how steeped in tradition this handicap steeplechase event is. With prize money of over £1 million and TV audiences of around 8.5m viewers in the UK alone (and 600m worldwide) it's no wonder this is 'the one to win' for horse trainers, owners and jockeys alike.

Fun Fact: The Grand National TV audience is bigger than that of the Superbowl (111m in 2017) and UEFA Champions League (118m) combined!

It's no easy task to traverse the National course with 30 tough fences over two laps of the racecourse. This includes notorious fences such as Becher's Brook (described by some jockey's as feeling like 'jumping off the edge of the world') and The Chair (a 5ft 3 inch fence just ahead of a 6 foot open ditch). A combination of its difficulty and history is responsible for the Aintree course becoming something of a legend maker, with the likes of Red Rum achieving a place in racing royalty due to their Grand National successes. For those living under a rock, the Ginger McCain trained Red Rum was a three time Grand National winner in the 70s. Winner of the 2018 Grand National was Tiger Roll ridden by Davey Russell.

The much anticipated 2019 Grand National takes place on Saturday April 6th at 17:15 and already people are considering the odds and runners and who the potential winner may be, out of those horses that may line up on the day. Of course it's an impossible question to answer at this stage, but based on previous form, trainer comments and the like we have early ideas for potential runners and what their prospects may be.

We'll start with an obvious likely runner. Tiger Roll (currently 20-1), winner of the 2018 race is surely likely to attempt to go for back to back wins. Defending the Grand National crown in a rarity especially in the modern age, but 8 year old Tiger Roll is certainly up for the task, having shown his abilities not only in the National but also at Cheltenham and more besides.

Pleasant Company (25-1) was 2nd in the 2018 Grand National and so again it would also be no surprise to see him attempt to go one better in 2019. He eased around the course in 2018 when many struggled, and came close rallying towards the end, so who can blame trainer Willie Mullins for being optimistic. Mullins also trained Hedgehunter, who finished second back in 2006.

Other potentials for 2019 include Bellshill, Step Back, Total Recall and 2017 Grand National winner One For Arthur!

Champion Jockey Tony McCoy Steers Don’t Push It to Win The 2010 Grand National

The pre race betting had Barry Geraghty and Tony McCoy riding the two 10-1 joint favourites going into the 2010 Aintree Grand National and a smooth start saw an unfortunate moment for St John’s Castle, as the horse ridden by Paul Carberry refused to leave the start area.

28-1 shot, Eric’s Charm fell at the 1st and a tight field was still yet to produce a clear leader running towards the second fence. Grey skies did nothing to temper the atmosphere as the cheering crowd were full of voice, each cheering on their own particular favourite.

100-1 outsider Conna Castle reached Becher’s Brook first with a clear 4 length lead, with Black Apalachi and Hello Bud following ahead of a now stretched field. Conna Castle turned wide at Canal Turn, sporting his easily identifiable white nose band, but he recovered to retain his place at the front, with 35 of the 40 starters still running.

This is how it remained for the next few fences and it was only at the Chair that the pack made some headway towards the leading trio. The pace quickened and it was outsider Conna Castle ridden by Sean Flanagan that drew neck and neck with Denis O’Regan on Black Apalachi some 5 lengths clear at the front, leaving Hello Bud a distant 3rd.

Heading over Becher’s for the second time, Black Apalachi had seized the initiative, stealing a 7 length lead, with Conna Castle fading badly. AP McCoy’s Don’t Push It accelerated to close in on the leaders from a good distance behind and draw alongside.

Heading For Home

Over the Melling Road, it was a four horse race, with Don’t Push It now level with Black Apalachi, Big Fella Thanks and Hello Bud running round the final bend. McCoy’s presence at the front began to draw a enthusiastic roar from the assembled crowd as these four were well clear of the rest.

Irish Joy

The last fence saw McCoy hit the front and Hello Bud drop away, leaving a straight sprint for the line for the remaining trio. Despite a strong challenge from Black Apalachi, McCoy managed to get up in the final furlongs, getting to the line first on Don’t Push. Despite winning multiple champion jockey titles, this was his first Grand National win at the fifteenth attempt and you could see it written across his face.

His joy was obvious, as it was for J P McManus and Jonjo O’Neill. It was another great day at Aintree for the Irish and a day of firsts, not least for the punter’s favourite, Tony McCoy.

Kew Gardens Offers Champions' Weekend Value

Champions’ Weekend is on the horizon as the flat horse racing season comes to a close in the United Kingdom for another year. There have been some outstanding competitors that have delighted spectator and bettors alike with their performances on the track. The penultimate weekend in October is the last opportunity that some of the horses will compete at Ascot and their respective trainers will be desperate to see them sign off on a high note.

One of the competitors that will be striving for success will be Kew Gardens. The bay colt put forward a fine performance to win the St Leger Stakes at Doncaster, placing ahead of Lah Ti Dar among others in a talented field. As a result of his performance, he will be one of the leading contenders for the crown in the Champions Long Distance Cup. However, there is a lot of competition in the event, including Ascot Gold Cup winner Stradivarius.

Due to the quality of horses on display, the weekend can be a difficult proposition for punters in accumulators. Therefore, it could behove a bettor to delve into a punt to safeguard against surprise results such as a trixie. A four-fold accumulator can come in if only three horses are successful and to learn more about those types of bet use the trixie betting guide to solve any questions, but for major events such as Champions’ weekend, Royal Ascot and Cheltenham Festival they can be worth their weight in gold.

  

Kew Gardens’ field for the Long Distance Cup is a good reason why trixie bets can be useful. He has immense talent, although, given the quality in the race, the bay colt is still a slight outsider. Stradivarius, Flag of Honour and Capri all have shorter odds than Aidan O’Brien’s charge given their pedigree. To boost the value of an accumulator, placing Kew Gardens in with others leading contenders in other races such as Roaring Lion, The Tin Man and Lah Ti Dar proves the value of the trixie. The other three are the leading contenders and could well sweep their way to victory. As an outsider, Kew Gardens boosts the value, but could well produce a stunning performance at Ascot to defeat Stradivarius and the rest of the field. However, the trixie provides the cover for the bettor.

There’s no reason why Kew Gardens could not win the event, having already achieved a victory at Ascot this term in the Queen’s Vase. The Irish horse was not the favourite for the event, but produced a brilliant performance, displaying the endurance and then the pace down the stretch to close out a comfortable victory. Kew Gardens finished four-and-half lengths ahead of his nearest rival – his stable-mate Southern France – to achieve the win. In his last outing at Doncaster in the St Leger Stakes, he pulled off another fine display, winning the event by two-and-a-quarter lengths ahead of Lah Ti Dar. The challenge will be great for the Irish horse to overhaul a number of fine competitors, but he’s certainly one to monitor given the license of the trixie.