Ed Chamberlin reflects on the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase and looks ahead to the Coral Welsh National
Our columnist was left scratching his head after Clan Des Obeaux's win in the King George - but felt Epatante laid down a significant Champion Hurdle marker.
That felt like a weird Ladbrokes King George VI Chase at Kempton.
The tactics didn’t play out as we expected beforehand and I’m not sure Harry Cobden every looked particularly happy at any stage on Cyrname. Likewise Lostintranslation ran no sort of race, an error four out finally ending his chance altogether. Finger crossed he comes out of the race ok.
It was just a strange race with the lead changing hand throughout, horses going forwards and backwards, and writing in the immediate aftermath I’m not sure what to make of it – other than Clan Des Obeaux is a brilliant performer around here.
The King George is a specialist test, completely different to a Cheltenham Gold Cup for example, and one that suits this horse down to the ground. It’s all about jumping at speed and travelling through a race, and Clan Dex Obeaux thrives on it.
Clan Des Obeaux wins a second King George! 👑🙌 pic.twitter.com/MqHKHUjnJc
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) December 26, 2019
The story to come out of the race was Sam Twiston-Davies back doing the job he lost – riding big horses for Paul Nicholls in the big races. He was absolutely tickled pink afterwards, throwing all his kit into the crowd to celebrate and then being launched into the air by part-owner Ged Mason.
And what can you say about the champion trainer? To win 11 King Georges is just the most remarkable of achievements. We profiled him during the show, labelling him a serial winner, but this particularly renewal of the Boxing Day showpiece has left me scratching my head somewhat.
One good thing to come out of the day was we have a proper Unibet Champion Hurdle contender in Epatante. She’s always had a huge home reputation and alongside Aso was one of my two best bets for last year’s Cheltenham Festival.
It didn’t happen for her there but she’s a more settled mare this time around and we’re now seeing her rich potential. The money was down ahead of the Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle, which I always feel is a major sign with a JP McManus horse, and she was strikingly impressive.
Sir Anthony McCoy was very enthusiastic on her prospects moving forward after the race and it just shows what can happen in racing. Ten minutes before her Kempton win the Martinstown team saw Fakir d’Oudairies turned over in a Grade One at Leopardstown. Now they were back on top.
The biggest smile of the day however was reserved for Ruby Walsh as he watched Faugheen thump Samcro in the Matchbook Betting Exchange Novice Chase at Limerick. This horse clearly means the world to him and he was absolutely chuffed watching the finish, punching the air as he his old partner-in-crime cruised home.
It’s back to the drawing board with the likes of Laurina and Samcro and plenty more bubbles could be burst over the next 24 to 48 hours as the quality racing continues apace.
I’m back at Kempton on Friday but our main focus is Chepstow’s feature race, the Coral Welsh National. Just like Clan Des Obeaux in the King George, Elegant Escape is an absolute subject-matter expert in this race.
He can be found out in the jumping department at the very highest level but the slightly easier fences at this track, the slower ground and marathon trip, are all tailor made for him.
He’s favourite on Friday but will take a serious amount of beating and I fancy Potter’s Corner to chase him home for the Welsh team.
It’s a shame not to see Altior at Kempton for the Desert Orchid Chase but whenever you speak to Ruby about Chacun Pour Soi he finds it impossible to hide his enthusiasm for Susannah Ricci’s horse.
Now could be the time to back him for the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham given the question mark over Altior. If the vibes are correct he could put up quite a show in the Paddy's Rewards Club 'Loyalty's Dead, Live For Rewards' Chase at Leopardstown on Friday.
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