Ruby Walsh is hoping the step up to three miles will suit Champagne Fever and that the Willie Mullins-trained grey will be on his best form for the William Hill King George VI Chase at Kempton on St Stephen’s Day
The three-times Grade One scorer has impressed since thoughts turned to chasing but he has yet to compete over the King George distance.
“I think he will be suited by the step up in trip, but he is a bit of a Jekyll and Hyde,” the Irish jockey told Racing UK.
“He’s never won at Christmas. He was beaten in a bumper when we thought that was impossible and then he made a mistake at the second-last in a novice chase at Leopardstown and got run over by Defy Logic.
“Champagne Fever on a good day is a very good horse, but he’s had a few off-days when he hasn’t been so good.
“You are guessing, and you hope that the step up will suit him. I think it will, but you can’t say for certain.
“It’s a very good race. You’ve got Silviniaco Conti, Cue Card and Menorah.
“It’s the King George and will be run at a really good gallop. It will be intense all the way.
“There will be pressure on everyone’s jumping and I’m hoping to settle him.”
In better shape
Meanwhile, Joe Tizzard believes Cue Card heads for the King George VI Chase in better shape than he was 12 months ago.
Cue Card was second to Silviniaco Conti in the Christmas showpiece when partnered by Tizzard after looking all over the winner.
Tizzard has since retired from race-riding and is assistant trainer to his father Colin.
“I rode him out the other morning and he’s in cracking form,” said the retired jockey.
“We’re going there with no pressure either. It’s a hot race, every race he runs in is a hot race. The forecast looks good and he’s going to get nicer ground than at Haydock.
“He bounces off the better ground over the longer trip. Kempton ground will be lovely, I think.
“He’s in better form than he was going into the race last year. He blew hard after Haydock and he’s come on for the run.
“He gave me a lovely feel when I rode him out and I’m really pleased with him.”
Big performance
Cue Card was fourth to Silviniaco Conti in the Betfair Chase at Haydock which he had won last November.
Noel Fehily was in the saddle that day and he is expecting another big performance.
“I was very impressed with him at Haydock in the Betfair,” the jockey told At The Races.
“Paul Nicholls has been very happy with him since and he thinks he has him in the form on his life, so we are very positive going into the race and looking forward to it.”
