Racing

Al Ferof can land King George VI Chase for Paul Nicholls

Just A Par can make it a Grade One double for the trainer in the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase

Cue Card lands the Ryanair Chase on St Patrick’s Day at the Cheltenham Festival last March and is likely to start favourite for the William Hill King George VI Chase at Kempton on St Stephen’s Day.
Cue Card lands the Ryanair Chase on St Patrick’s Day at the Cheltenham Festival last March and is likely to start favourite for the William Hill King George VI Chase at Kempton on St Stephen’s Day.
Mon Dec 23 2013 - 19:28

Paul Nicholls enjoyed five fantastic wins with Kauto Star in the William Hill King George VI Chase and while Al Ferof is unlikely to ever match that tally, he can at least get the ball rolling at Kempton.

Al Ferof has 6lb to find with the best of them on official figures but having just his eighth chase start, the eight-year-old appeals as a horse with plenty of untapped potential.

A Grade One winner over two miles as a novice back in 2011, the John Hales-owned grey showed he stays two and a half miles with a comprehensive victory in the ultra-competitive Paddy Power last term.

Injury then saw him sidelined for the rest of last season before he returned to action in a two-mile-three-furlong event at Ascot last month.

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We probably did not learn anything new that day as just two runners went to post, but Daryl Jacob let him bowl along in front and the outing should certainly have knocked off any rust ahead of this much tougher assignment.

In any case, French Opera is certainly no mug and has run well since.

Question marks
Despite having yet to win over three miles under Rules, he was a point-to-point winner over the trip back in 2009 so the distance should present few problems, and the view seems to be that he will handle the ground. There are a couple of question marks over some of the leading contenders and Al Ferof can exploit any weaknesses at a decent price.

Just A Par can make it a Grade One double for Nicholls and prove an apt winner of the Kauto Star Novices' Chase, an event better known as the Feltham.

This contest has drawn a pretty disappointing field this year, but Just A Par impressed when dishing out a 14-length beating to the reopposing Third Intention at Newbury last month and a similar performance should see him emerge victorious again.

The New One and My Tent Or Yours face off in the williamhill.com Christmas Hurdle and preference is for the former after an excellent display at Cheltenham earlier in the month.

Nigel Twiston-Davies' charge defeated established Grade One performer Zarkandar with ease at Prestbury Park and while the runner-up did not enjoy the clearest of passages, The New One found plenty when put under renewed pressure.

My Tent Or Yours finished behind The New One in an Aintree bumper a couple of seasons back and his old rival should prove too smart once again.