Good morning from the somewhat damp Kempton Park, where the gates have already opened to allow the COVID status check of the more than 10,000 fans expected to arrive King George VI Chase Card this afternoon. Capacity, incidentally, is around 20,000 – the biggest crowd for this fixture in 2014 was 22,038 – but the Omicron Edition’s continued growth may well convince many regulars that this year’s refurbishment saw better than a couch. can go.
It will be a stark contrast to Chepstow tomorrow, when the Welsh Grand National will be played behind closed doors following last week’s last-minute changes to the Welsh government’s COVID rules. And what is always one of the most enthusiastic crowds of the year can look forward to the exceptionally open and competitive renewal of the feature race.
About 12 mm of rain overnight has turned from good-to-soft, mild in places that were previously good-to-soft, a development that has led to some significant gains in the big-race betting market. Happened with steps.
The money has arrived for Nicky Henderson’s Chantry House, which is making its debut in an open grade one over the fence, and it’s now hunting down the 2018 and 2019 winner Clan des Obeaux, which nearly tops the market Is. 7-2. At its current rate of progress, Chantry House will be the favorite by the time racing begins at 12.45.
Kempton Park Racecourse
(@kumptonparkrace)stage is ready
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Gold Cup winner Minella Indo is weak in the market, which is a bit surprising as rain would theoretically improve the chances that her proven stamina would come into play. He is currently traded at around 9-2, while Asterian Forlongz, who has also traveled from Ireland, is just half a point ahead after being shot 7-1 a few days ago.
However, the really big drifter is Froden, who was the third favorite on Christmas Eve behind Clan des Obues and Minella Indo, but is now out 7-1 to win for the second year running. Many fans may have been hoping to give Bryony Frost the reception she was denied 12 months ago after today’s big race, but that prospect seems to be dwindling by the hour.
I’m sticking with Asterion Forlange to get the job done and preview all the action on ITV for later Here, with tips for all eight of today’s Boxing Day cards. If or when Chantry House is the new clear favorite for King George, this will be the first place to hear about it – it promises to be a run and an afternoon to remember.
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