Kempton preview: Lossiemouth can emerge victorious from Christmas cracker
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Without the late inclusion of Spillane’s Tower, an unexposed chaser with the potential to climb to the top rung of the chasing ladder, the Ladbrokes King George on Thursday’s card in Kempton would have a distinctly ordinary feel to it.
Jimmy Mangan’s six-year-old Walk In The Park gelding had quite a busy novice campaign, running seven times, but he thrived on his racing, winning four times and graduating to Grade One level for his last two successes of the term.
On return, in the John Durkan Memorial, his trainer was quite adamant that little had been done with his charge and that the run would bring him on considerably. That in punters’ minds, he was sent off an 18-1 chance but ran a huge race to push Fact To File to half a length, the pair in front of dual Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Galopin Des Champs and three-time Grade One winner Fastorslow.
Fair to say, the first four were all on seasonal debut and it is difficult to be certain to what degree each will step forward from the outing, but the form reads exceptionally well, and Spillane’s Tower will appreciate the return to three miles. His presence elevates this race, and he can land the spoils for the affable Mangan.
Grey Dawning was also a leading novice last season, the highlight of which was his victory in the Turners’ Novice Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. On his return, he was sent off favourite for the Betfair Chase but finished a very tired horse when outstayed by Royal Pagaille. That was 33 days ago and perhaps he has had time to recover from it, but it is bound to have left some sort of mark, and it also suggested there were limitations to this fellow’s ability.
Banbridge is also a new face on the King George block, but the trip is new territory. What he has in favour is that he won a Grade Two at this venue, and that he comes here on the back of a good effort in the Hilly Way Chase, in which he unseated when carried right at the final fence. This is a different test over a new trip, but his stable is in superb form and this fellow progressed nicely through last season and could yet have more to give. He deserves plenty of respect.
Il Est Francais is an enigma. On occasion, he looks exceptional, as he did when winning the Grade One Kauto Star at this meeting in 2023, but he was last of five on his final start of last season and pulled up on his most recent outing. Clearly, he has issues and is not a safe conveyance, but if the real Il Est Francais turns up today, he is a player.
L’Homme Presse would likely have finished second in this race two years ago but for unseating his rider at the last. He has a preference for going left-handed but has plenty of class and could run into the frame.
Envoi Allen ran poorly in this race in 2022, though the soft ground seemed to hamper him on that occasion. He is rising 11, but his advancing age was not enough to prevent him from winning the Grade One Champion Chase at Down Royal on his first start of the season. That race, which he also won in 2022, remains the only three-mile Grade One he has been victorious in, and this is likely to prove out of reach.
Former winner Bravemansgame is hard to fancy on recent form, while former Brown Advisory winner The Real Whacker would be a popular winner for Paddy Neville but must step up on recent efforts. Emmet Mullins’ Corbetts Cross, who won last season’s National Hunt Chase, made a promising return to action, will strip fitter this time, and could sneak into the frame.
Constitution Hill makes his long-awaited comeback in the Christmas Hurdle and faces rising star Lossiemouth, who has much in her favour. With the benefit of a recent run, and the mares’ 7lb allowance to boot, she will be hard to beat, but for all that the world and its mother will be looking to Constitution Hill this time, it’s probably time to remind ourselves that thus far over hurdles no horse has yet managed to lower his colours.
Gauging quite what we should expect from him is difficult, but we can be sure of one thing: if he can come out on top against his race-fit and upwardly-mobile rival, he is back on track to regain his Champion Hurdle crown. This race, rather than the King George, may well be the highlight of the day.