Horse Racing

Market support as Kauto confirmed for King George

December 14, 2011

The news that Kauto Star will be allowed to take his chance and bid to win the illustrious Grade 1 William Hill King George VI Chase at Kempton Park on Boxing Day for a record breaking fifth time, was exactly what punters and the betting industry wanted to hear as it sets up a stunning showdown between the young king Long Run and Paul Nicholls’ old master, writes Elliot Slater. With his owner Clive Smith already represented by former dual champion chaser and recent Ascot winner Master Minded, there had been some doubt as to whether or not Nicholls would [...]

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January Dipper date for exciting Walkon

December 9, 2011

Alan King’s very promising novice Walkon looks set to take his next step up the chasing ladder with a trip to Cheltenham on New Year’s Day pencilled in for the Dipper Novice Chase, writes Elliot Slater. The six-year-old made a scintillating debut over the larger obstacles when brushing aside decent opposition to run out an easy six-length winner from Zaynar on his debut over the larger obstacles at Exeter at the start of the month in the Harry Dutfield Memorial Novice Chase, after which he was introduced into the ante-post betting for the Jewson Novices Chase at the Cheltenham Festival [...]

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Walsh faced with toughest of King George decisions

December 9, 2011

Ruby Walsh faces one of the toughest decisions of his whole career in having to decide whether to partner four-times previous race winner Kauto Star or dual champion chaser Master Minded in the forthcoming William Hill King George VI Chase at Kempton Park on Boxing Day, and I for one do not envy him having to make such a tough choice, writes Elliot Slater. Of course, there will be literally hundreds of jockeys across the country who would love to be in such a position, but Walsh knows he is potentially on a hiding to nothing if the horse he [...]

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Knight realistic about Somersby Kempton task

November 28, 2011

Henrietta Knight knows exactly what it takes to win at the highest level of the steeplechasing tree having dominated the sport a decade ago with the superb triple Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Best Mate and also with the likes of champion chaser Edredon Bleu, so when the highly regarded handler offers opinions about her horses it is always well worth sitting up and taking a listen, writes Elliot Slater. Knight also sent out Best Mate to win two renewals of the King George VI Chase so has a particularly strong inside track on just what is required to lift the [...]

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Captain to take in Amlin Chase before King George bid

November 17, 2011

The 2011 King George VI Chase credentials of the smart Captain Chris will be fully tested if indeed the progressive chaser takes his chance in Saturday’s Grade 2 Amlin 1965 Chase at Ascot against the likes of Master Minded, Somersby and Medermit, writes Elliot Slater. Last season’s brave Arkle Chase winner is currently an 8/1 joint-second favourite for the showcase Christmas event at Kempton Park but will need to show that he can mix it at the highest level with seasoned Grade 1 performers if his chance at the Sunbury track on Boxing Day is to be taken seriously. Things [...]

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Grand Crus a doubtful Betfair Chase contender

November 11, 2011

Although time might well prove that the David Pipe-trained Grand Crus is more than capable of holding his own at Grade 1 level over fences it appears highly unlikely that the popular grey will take up his engagement in the Grade 1 Betfair Chase at Haydock on November 19 after being declared to make his chasing bow at Cheltenham in novice company a week earlier, writes Elliot Slater. Just about the only horse in training able to make a race of it with the outstanding champion staying hurdle Big Buck’s last season, Grand Crus has reportedly schooled very well ahead [...]

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New star Kauto Stone brings up Nicholls’ 200th winner

November 8, 2011

On a day to remember for a whole host of reasons champion trainer Paul Nicholls sent out his 200th winner when Kauto stone, a five-year-old half-brother to the mighty Kauto Star, put up a tremendous performance on his first outing for the yard to win the Grade 2 Ladbrokes.com Chase at Down Royal, and in the process catapult himself into ante-post contention for the RSA Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in a little over four months time, writes Elliot Slater. One of a remarkable seven winners across-the-card, (including a five-timer at Wincanton) for Nicholls, it was fitting that the success [...]

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Maximum of just two Irish challengers for Betfair Chase

November 4, 2011

The quality of the home team defence may well have deterred a number of potential candidates from taking their chance in the coveted Grade 1 Betfair Chase at Haydock on November 19, leaving Ireland with just two of the current 19 entries for the big race, writes Elliot Slater. Despite the lure of the £200,000 in guaranteed prize money only Rubi Light and Roberto Goldback figure amongst the entries for the contest seen as a significant early season trial for the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March. Of the pair, Rubi Light is more prominent in the ante-post betting on the [...]

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