Double Thriller, who fell at the first in the Martell Grand National and failed to fulfil his potential last season, is taken to win the Pertemps King George VI Chase at Kempton this afternoon.
With See More Business, his stable companion, and Looks Like Trouble vying for favouritism there is still a bit of value about Double Thriller, the only horse to beat last year's King George winner Teeton Mill under rules.
That was two seasons ago at Cheltenham in a hunter chase and although Double Thriller could have been flattered by that he did well enough last season to show he is not short of talent.
In two facile wins at Wincanton he was mightily impressive, putting up displays almost as good as he looks for there can be few more taking individuals on the jumping circuit.
Physically he certainly fills the eye more than See More Business but it was the latter who triumphed in the Cheltenham Gold Cup after Double Thriller had run far too freely in front. That disappointment was followed by disaster at Aintree when he over-jumped and came down at the first.
Neither of those reversals proved he is not up to it in the top class and he is worth another chance today when the rain-soaked ground will be in his favour.
Paul Nicholls, his trainer, has been teaching Double Thriller to come from behind in his work at home and waiting tactics, if Joe Tizzard can carry them out, could be the key to this horse. The fact that he has not had a run this season is not a worry.
Nicholls says he marginally prefers See More Business because when it comes to the crunch he has done it twice - in this race two seasons ago and in the Gold Cup last season - although he would not relish heavy ground.
See More Business looked better than ever on his reappearance at Wetherby in October when he beat the young pretender Looks Like Trouble by 10 lengths.
Looks Like Trouble, only a seven-year-old, is definitely on the upgrade but his price is plenty short enough for what he has achieved.
Dr Leunt, a dual course and distance winner and confirmed mud-lark, has been well backed, but on the book he will be pushed to confirm his recent Chepstow superiority over Go Ballistic who was beaten a length and a half and is now 16 lb. better off.
Go Ballistic was only a length adrift of See More Business in the Gold Cup last season and is entitled to the utmost respect although the balance of his form suggests he is better on a sound surface.
After much vacillation Michael Hourigan has decided on sending Dorans Pride over. Twice placed in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, he will love the cut in the ground and looks sure to run well.
