15:05 Kempton 26 Dec 2021
Ladbrokes King George Vi Chase
Grade 1 | gbb Race | Class 1 | 4YO plus
Winner £142,375 - 9 ran
held up off the pace in last trio, steady headway out wide tracking leaders before 12th, went 2nd before led 2 out, clear before last, stayed on strongly
chased leaders, went 2nd after 11th, chased new leaders after 4 out, led next, headed 2 out, lost 2nd between last two, left 2nd again last, no chance with winner
waited with in rear, good headway out wide chasing leaders 12th, led 4 out, headed next, lost 2nd before next, weakened and left modest 3rd at the last
lined up out wide, led but pressed, advantage 3rd, headed 4 out, lost 2nd soon after, losing place when slightly short of room home turn, ridden and weakened soon after
ran in snatches, mid-division, headway chasing leaders before 12th, weakened next
raced on inside, tracked leaders, travelling well before 3 out, went 2nd and 3 lengths down when fell last
never jumped with any fluency, chased leaders out wide, mistake and lost place 9th, tailed off when mistake 12th, pulled up before next
pressed leader until 3rd, lost 2nd after 11th, weakened before 13th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
held up off the pace in last trio, hit 7th, headway into 5th out wide 4 out, weakened quickly and pulled up before next
Betting returns
| Type | Winnings |
|---|---|
| Betfair SP | £27.50 |
| CSF | £118.47 (9, 3) |
| Tricast | £2,419.14 (9, 3, 8) |
| Win | £29.00 (9) |
| Place | £4.60 (9), £1.60 (3), £4.90 (8) |
| Swinger | £13.60 (3, 8), £16.40 (3, 9), £18.90 (8, 9) |
| Exacta | £132.80 (9, 3) |
| Trifecta | £1,752.70 (9, 3, 8) |
Expert Analysis
One of the great chases of the season, with a roll call of winners to match, this year’s contest including the last three winners (Frodon in 2020, Clan Des Obeaux in 2018 and 2019) as well as the reigning Cheltenham Gold Cup winner (Minella Indo). In the end, none of those won, and the form has a rather unsatisfactory look to it, the leaders pressing on too far out and all bar the winner finishing slowly, with the likely second departing at the last (race finishing speed of 96.5% is slower than par, though a bit rather than a lot, equal to Thistlecrack’s in 2016 and slightly faster than Might Bite’s in 2017). The abiding impression is that there would be much less between the first four another day, with Asterion Forlonge thrown in for good measure.
TORNADO FLYER (c172 here, 161 previously) deserves credit for an improved effort, but things did pan out perfectly for him and he may do well to repeat this win at the very highest level, beaten several times, including by Allaho and A Plus Tard, since his most recent chase win in a novice more than two years earlier. He made a bad mistake at the first but jumped soundly thereafter, raced several lengths back until closing with 5 to go, was produced to lead at the second-last and found plenty as others wilted.
CLAN DES OBEAUX (c164+ here, 171 previously) ran creditably in his bid for a third win in this prestigious contest, especially when the run of things is factored in, in touch and leading fully 3 out when the pace had been strong, headed at the next and weakening. He should be back to his best with this behind him, but may not have conditions as much to suit him, of course.
SAINT CALVADOS (c161+ here, 162+ previously) ran a good deal better than the result at a trip which stretches him as it is, let alone after he was rushed up to lead fully 4 out despite the pace having been strong, headed at the next and understandably emptying quickly. He makes it to the track infrequently these days but could well have a good race in him at this trip (ridden with appropriate restraint) or shorter.
FRODON (c153+ here, 167 previously) paid the most for contributing to a strong pace for most of the way, disputing or making it and barely getting a breather this time, headed 4 out and weakening. This should not be held against him in the wider scheme of things.
LOSTINTRANSLATION (c148 here, 158 previously) faced a much stiffer task than at Ascot and did not travel especially well, though in touch, before weakening 4 out.
ASTERION FORLONGE (c170 here, 171? previously) would likely have finished second, perhaps 2 to 3 lengths behind the winner, but for falling at the last, staying on at the time (though so was the winner). He has a whole load of ability but occasional jumping errors continue to cost him dearly. This did seem to prove that he will be at least as good at 24f as 20f, at least.
CHANTRY HOUSE (c0 here, 162 previously) was a strange favourite given his form did not measure up to several others’ but he did not do himself justice in any case, making mistakes and in trouble at halfway before pulled up.
MINELLA INDO (c0 here, 175 previously) ran a stinker in first-time cheekpieces, not helped by getting into a dogfight for the lead with Frodon, but more to it than that, possibly losing interest once in among others and adrift when pulled up before 3 out.
MISTER FISHER (c0 here, 159 previously) had plenty on his plate and came from the rear to show up reasonably well 4 out despite a mistake or 2, only to back-pedal thereafter.
