Kempton on Boxing Day featuring the King George VI Chase is always special and this is certainly an intriguing renewal which is more open than the betting suggests in this field of six. Earlier in the week it was announced that Gerri Colombe would be heading to Leopardstown for the Savills Chase on December 28th, whilst a sore foot has denied us the opportunity of seeing Royal Pagaille, who would have been my original selection.

The favourite Allaho is a proven performer at Grade 1 level, but he didn’t look the same horse when coming back from a big absence at Clonmel last month. His jumping was patchy, to say the least, and it was not a performance that convinced you he was back to something like his best.

Bravemansgame could be the one to beat, but he had a hard race behind Royal Pagaille at Haydock and there has to be a worry that has left its mark. Originally, the race wasn’t part of the plan, but connections had a change of heart after he came out of the Charlie Hall so well. He’s had four weeks to get over that and if he has then he will take all the beating as we know that runners returning to the King George VI have a good record.

The Real Whacker, who was my nap at the Cheltenham Festival when winning the Brown Advisory, at least has an excuse for a poor effort on seasonal debut at Cheltenham, having been found to be lame, but going right-handed is going to ask a new question of him regardless and I wonder if away from Cheltenham he will show the same form.

Hewick is an interesting contender, who was travelling well when coming down at the second last when taking a heavy fall in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. He came out after that to win the Celebration Chase at Sandown in tremendous style, however his last run back in August was disappointing and he doesn’t have a good record after a break.

The admirable Frodon is running in his fourth King George and as ever will give his best with Bryony Frost in the plate, yet he hasn’t quite been firing at the same level this season.

On the basis of the above and without Royal Pagaille I will take a small wager on Shishkin, whose problems are well documented, yet, if starting, could brush aside all this field if showing his true form. Fascinating!

Earlier in the afternoon Constitution Hill is Unibet 1/8 on in the Christmas Hurdle for Unibet Ambassador Nicky Henderson and you cannot oppose this wonderful racehorse, who remains unbeaten over hurdles and won by 17 lengths last year beating stablemate Epatante.

At Aintree where they are staging a new Boxing Day meeting the card includes the next race in the Unibet Middle Distance Series Veterans’ Handicap Chase, where Ibleo returning after a 991-day layoff for the Venetia Williams team is certainly an interesting contender for a trainer who can bring horses back to form after such a break.

Take advantage and go racing at one of the numerous Boxing Day meetings or enjoy watching #athome.

Cheers

The Wine Tipster

12.45 Kempton – Racing Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (2m 4f)

Es Perfecto ran a very solid race on his reappearance at Cheltenham last month, jumping well and finishing a 10l second to Ginny’s Destiny when not given a hard ride. He understandably got tired in the latter stages, but it was still a most encouraging effort, and with the winner franking the form since, it looks better again. On a mark 11lb lower than his peak, there’s surely a good race in him, and this lightly raced talented individual can come out on top on his second novice chase.

Unibet 11/2 win

1.05 Aintree – Formby Novices’ Hurdle Grade 1 (2m ½f)

Tellherthename won his sole start in an Irish point-to-point ahead of being beaten a nose by Jango Baie trained by Nicky Henderson at Ascot in his first race under rules after leading after the last. He then won easily at Huntingdon by 14 lengths at an odds-on price and he can step up again to reverse form with Jango Baie and take a very competitive Grade 1.

Unibet 4/1 win

Cannock Park is worth an each way wager, having led from start to finish to win a maiden hurdle at Cheltenham last month. He still looked green when wandering around after jumping the last and this bumper winner will only go on improving.

Unibet 25/1 each way

1.20 Kempton – Kauto Star Novices’ Chase Grade 1 (3m)

Giovinco (nap) is in my Unibet Ten to Follow and can come out on top in what is a good renewal of the Kauto Star, with Hermes Allen, who might not be as effective going right-landed as left-handed and Il Est Francais a potential star coming over from France to run on quicker ground.

Giovinco was super impressive last season in winning a listed race at Perth by 12 lengths and then this season he has won a novice handicap at Aintree in November in good style. At Sandown earlier this month in the Esher Novices’ Chase Giovinco he lost nothing in defeat when second to Stay Away Fay (in my Unibet Ten To Follow) when not having the stamina reserves of the winner after looking like he was travelling better ahead of jumping the last.

Even with the small field there’s plenty of pace on here, which will definitely suit Giovinco and a return to good to soft or good ground, which he won on last season, all works in his favour as does running at Kempton for the first time.

Unibet 9/4 win

1.55 Kempton – Christmas Hurdle Grade 1 (2m)

Nemean Lion (each way) could reward each way players here in chasing home Constitution Hill from some distance. He has nine pounds to make up on Rubaud, who easily won the Elite Hurdle at Wincanton last time out and is clear second favourite, however Nemean Lion won the Welsh Champion Hurdle and that form is working out well. He then finished fifth in the Unibet Greatwood Hurdle, which is a good form guide, after not jumping either of the last hurdles well having travelled smoothly throughout. Nemean Lion was declared also at Ascot on Saturday in the race won by Luccia and instead the Kerry Lee team have taken the Kempton option. Nemean Lion looks sure to be suited by Kempton and his victories have all come on good to soft.

Unibet 33/1 each way

2.30 Kempton – King George VI Chase Grade 1 (3m)

Shishkin didn’t look like he was going to start in the 1965 Chase at Ascot last month even before they had walked in in the first time cheekpieces, which he won’t have on this time. Last season he didn’t travel smoothly in the Ryanair and made a bad mistake at the third last before staying on to finish second to Envoi Allen. He then went on to win the Bowl Chase at Aintree beating Ahoy Senor and comes to the King George without a prep run, which would have been ideal. However, if this six-time Grade 1 winner jumps off he has all the ability to win the King George and he won at this meeting in 2021 on seasonal debut.

Unibet 4/1 win

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