Clan Des Obeaux has had "his best preparation ever" for his bid to join the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase greats on Boxing Day.
Paul Nicholls launches an awesome three-pronged assault on Kempton Park’s Christmas feature – Frodon and Bryony Frost attempt to add to their triumph of 12 months ago, while 2020 fourth Saint Calvados makes his debut for the 12-time champion trainer.
Clan Des Obeaux, third to his stablemate in his hat-trick bid last Christmas, is 11-4 second favourite with the sponsors behind Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Minella Indo (5-2).
"I’d say he’s had the best preparation ever going into the race," said the Ditcheat trainer of Harry Cobden’s mount, who seeks to equal Wayward Lad’s feat of three King George successes – Desert Orchid won four and Nicholls’ Kauto Star lifted the race five times – on Boxing Day.
“He’s had two away days – he’s galloped at Newbury and he’s also had a gallop at Wincanton last week with Frodon and Saint Calvados – so he’s done lots of work, but I love running horses when they’re very fit and very fresh.
“The way he looks at the moment, I couldn’t be happier with him.”
Nine runners were declared for the feature race, with trainers Willie Mullins and Nicky Henderson both doubly represented.
Race-by-race tips for ITV races on Boxing Day
Kempton 1.20 – Get Your Ladbrokes 1 Free Bet Today Novices' Limited Handicap Chase
KILLER KANE could be a bit of value in a competitive race to start the televised action.
Formerly a top lot at the sales, he has not lived up to the hype – but has the chance to shine for the ITV cameras.
This nice prize is winnable, with Mister Coffey and Sebastopol not the most straightforward – and Danny Kirwan unable to reach the heights he once suggested he was capable of.
Bothwell Bridge is normally best on his first run, in contrast to the Tizzard horse, who got better as last season went on.
A muddling sort of race over too short a trip last time did not show him in his best light, while the ground should be more to his liking here compare to his Carlisle reappearance.
He gets plenty of weight from the market leaders and can put in a decent shift under Brendan Powell.
Kempton 1.55 – Ladbrokes Kauto Star Novices' Chase (Grade 1)
AHOY SENOR is fancied to get the better of main market rival Bravemansgame in this exciting clash.
He was seven lengths in front when they met over hurdles at Aintree, on just his second run over them.
An excellent recruit for northern racing, Lucinda Russell's charge has every chance of more top level success.
He looked powerful when slamming his Grade 2 field at Newbury and appears the stronger stayer of the big two.
The market appears to have this the wrong way round, especially with Ahoy Senor's 3lb superior rating.
Wetherby 2.10 – William Hill Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase (Grade 3)
DEBECE ran a mighty race for the Skeltons first time up – and he's back for more on the West Yorkshire circuit.
He jumped well and raced clear at Sandown 288 days ago, only for a more patiently ridden rival to overhaul him late on.
Now a ten-year-old, his mark still looks workable and most of his successes have come at tracks similar to Wetherby.
He will give this a good go in retained cheekpieces.
Get all the latest King George odds with Grovesnor Sport
Kempton 2.30 – Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle (Grade 1)
EPATANTE and Not So Sleepy shared the spoils in the Fighting Fifth – but expect the mare to hold all the aces this time.
Although some punters were disappointed not to see her win outright, it was a positive showing considering Aidan Coleman felt she wasn't travelling with her usual zest.
Her rival battled back bravely, but at this track Epatante should have too many gears for the opposition.
Rated 9lb below her best, she shouldn't be troubling Honeysuckle at Cheltenham in March.
However the 2019 impressive winner of this can double her tally here at the highest level.
Kempton 3.05 – Ladbrokes King George Vi Chase (Grade 1)
MINELLA INDO has what it takes to give Rachael Blackmore and Henry de Bromhead another major prize on these shores.
A fine winner of the Gold Cup in March, he saw off stablemate A Plus Tard and dual winner Al Boum Photo in what looked an excellent renewal.
Third behind Frodon on his reappearance, that will have blown away the cobwebs and he'll be ready for this test.
That rival and stablemate Clan Des Obeaux are expected to go forward – and a good pace is exactly what the selection needs.
First-time cheekpieces are added into the mix and he has won a Grade 1 over hurdles going right-handed.
He is the best of these on official figures and can prove it for his shrewd connections.
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