Boxing Day provides a feast of action for punters including the showpiece King George VI Chase at Kempton Park.
Experts have their say on the King George VI Chase
Boxing Day provides a feast of action for punters including the showpiece King George VI Chase at Kempton Park. Our experts have been assessing the form ahead of the most open races in years. Here's what they have to say...
Long Run - 5/2
Given his frustrating run over the last season, plenty would rather back Nicky Henderson's charge to finish second, but he looks potentially head and hooves above his rivals here. A reappearance defeat against Silviniaco Conti was a little disappointing but the stop-start nature of the contest didn't play to his strengths, namely bottomless stamina.
With testing ground likely and plenty of pace up front expect Long Run to win the King George for a second time - and re-establish himself as the top staying chaser in the land.
David Ord, editor Sporting Life.com
Sir Des Champ - 8/1
If he runs, Sir Des Champs looks sure to run a massive race. A young, improving chaser, who easily won at last year's Festival. Although beaten first time out, that was against a very good horse in Flemenstar who was race fit. If Willie Mullins gives him the go ahead to run at Kempton rather than go for the Lexus he is the one to beat in my eyes.
Michael Shinners, horse racing trader, Sky Bet
Kauto Stone - 8/1
Ability to handle the worst King George ground for a long time could be key here. Paul Nicholls' only hope loves to get his toe in, is a steadily improving 6yo who is proven on a right handed track backed by his good win at Down Royal and taking effort behind Sizing Europe over an inadequate 2m in last season's Tingle Creek.
Seemed to improve again for the step up to 3m and his good jumping should stand him in good stead around Kempton's tricky fences. If able to be settled early could really put it up to a marginally regressive looking Long Run.
Ian Stables, racing racing trader, Sky Bet
Riverside Theatre - 11/2
While the chances of various King George contenders have been fluctuating up and down in recent weeks, Riverside Theatre has been tucked away safely in his box waiting to be unleashed by Nicky Henderson.
He showed tremendous guts to win the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham last season given that the errant Captain Chris tried to charge him through the wings at several of the early fences and he was over the top when beaten at Aintree afterwards, connections subsequently deciding to limit him to just two appearances this season given his clear preference for coming into races on the back of a break.
He has reportedly gone particularly sweetly in a couple of recent racecourse gallops and even a repeat of his previous second in the race two seasons ago might well be good enough to win this year, given that Long Run - his 12-length conqueror there - simply doesn't look quite the same horse at present.
Will Hayler, Racing editor, Sporting Life.com
Long Run - 5/2
The bookies on Boxing Day will no doubt be enticing punters to back the current favourite as he has been slightly below par recently. However he always runs well at Kempton and he is the proven class grade 1 performer.
Make those bookies pay, take him on and get the crimbo expenses back.
Richard Horner, head of horse racing trading, Sky Bet
Cue Card - 9/2
I am firmly of the opinion that Long Run has been regressing for well over 12 months now, and I see no downside to backing Colin Tizzard's exciting young
chaser Cue Card.
The six year old is now starting to live up to the hype, and has only tasted defeat over fences to the mighty Sprinter Sacre and Gold Cup favourite Bobs Worth, when trying to concede 7lb.
Despite the likely bad ground, the winner will still need to possess sufficient tactical speed, and Cue Card has this is abundance.
Kyle Brady, horse racing trader, Sky Bet
The Giant Bolster - 14/1
Connections confirmed that this horse will take his chance on Boxing Day and I can't help but think that 14/1 represents some each way value for a horse that finished second in a Gold Cup ahead of Long Run who is currently favourite for this race.
Kieran Murtha, horse racing trader, Sky Bet
Sir Des Champs - 8/1 (each-way)
Crack young Irish raider who is progressing nicely through the chasing ranks and looks set to make an impact in the mid-season highlight.
He made a thoroughly satisfactory return to action in the John Durkan at Punchestown behind Flemenstar and is entitled to be sharper for that outing. This is not the strongest renewal of the Kempton feature and he can hit the frame at the very least.
David John, Sporting Life.com
Cue Card - 9/2
Improving all the time and whose only chase defeats last season came at the hands of Sprinter Sacre and when trying to give Bobs Worth 7lb. The emphasis on speed over 3 miles at Kempton should suit and should go very close.
Ken Dickson, horse racing trader, Sky Bet
Captain Chris - 9/1
I would be interested in Captain Chris around the 10/1 mark. He lost his way last season when his jumping went to pieces but he came back with a bang at Ascot last time when he jumped very well. The ground wouldn't have been in his favour that day so I was pleasantly surprised he managed to win and being a previous Arkle winner he has undoubted class.
Long Run is bound to be there again but I just wonder if he thinks about it too much in a finish nowadays so I'll try and get him beat with Captain Chris.
Andrew Twitchen, horse racing trader, Sky Bet
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