held up in mid-division, headway to track leaders from 12th, chased winner next, no impression from 3 out, lost 2nd run-in
raced in mid-division, mistake and lost place 13th, mistake 15th, tailed off when pulled up before next
chased leaders to 9th, behind from 14th, tailed off
led to 12th, chased winner to next, weakened before 4 out
always behind
always in rear
well placed, tracked leader from 9th, led 12th, mistake 4 out, 10 lengths clear when blundered badly last, kept on under pressure run-in
close up, mistake 12th, tracked leaders in 3rd 15th, mistake 4 out, stayed on to chase winner run-in, closing at finish
held up and behind, steady headway 12th, no impression and beaten 4 out
prominent, hampered 7th, never going well after, behind from 13th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
held up towards rear, headway 12th, weakened and behind from 15th
held up towards rear, headway 12th, no impression from 15th
The big race of the day and we believe that Le Roi Miguel can land a shock victory over Azertyuiop and Kicking King. Ruby Walsh has had a difficult decision to make in recent days and while Azertyuiop adds a much needed touch-of-class to what looked to be one of the weakest renewals of the King George for some time; we believe that Le Roi Miguel could upset his Boxing Day plans. Paul Carberry has been brought in as an able deputy to Walsh and while the stamina issue is an obvious point that effects many, he looks more likelier than most to do so and his win in the Peterborough Chase suggest that he is back to full fitness following a breathing operation. Azertyuiop should not be too readily discounted given that connections have elected to avoid a much easier task at Wetherby on Monday. He travels well in his races and if he is ever likely to get three miles off a slow pace, this is the most likely place to do it. This was proved last year by Edredon Bleu but connections have been noticeably negative with regard to his chances in the press and at his advanced years - a win this year would need an even greater training performance by Henrietta Knight. Kicking King was undoubtedly impressive when beating Beef Or Salmon in Ireland on his last start. That said, the fact that Native Upmanship finished so close has to be a worry. He has tended to empty out quickly when tried over further than 2m4f and while he has been favourite for quite some time for this race, it would be a brave man who would take some of the prices offered. Kingscliff looked useful prior to injury. He may need it softer than today's ground and there is likely to be improvement to come. Calling Brave and Lord Sam are both speedy and connections of the former have been unerringly confident of late in the media as to his chance. That said, Calling Brave should have won his last race at Sandown but threw it away by making jumping errors when the pace quickened. Therealbandit is still lightly raced for a horse who has attracted so much attention. After a woeful run over hurdles, he bounced back to form with a quality effort over fences at Cheltenham. He is joined by Martell Cup winner Tiutchev and near Best Mate victor Seebald as the block entry from the Martin Pipe team. First Gold started as favourite for the 2001 renewal of this race but has never won here. Fondmort doesn't stay while Hot Shots is outclassed. Plenty of doubts to cloud the punter's mind but we will try Le Roi Miguel against the market principals.
