Ladbrokes King George VI Chase |
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| Grade 1, Kempton Park 14:30 £250,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus, 3m, Class 1  |
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Antepost favourite Il Est Francais is out to 10/1 with most bookmakers after pulling up in the Grade 1 Prix la Haye Jousselin at Auteuil on November 17.
The Venetia Williams-trained L’Homme Presse is set for his second shot at the Kempton classic. Last year, he led the field into the home straight but was overtaken by Bravemansgame after the second last and unseated Charlie Deutsch at the final obstacle.
That mishap kept L’Homme Presse off the track for 391 days, but he made a triumphant return in the Fleur De Lys Chase at Lingfield last January. He followed up with a runner-up finish in the Ascot Chase and a commendable fourth in the Gold Cup.
This autumn has been slightly disrupted for the eight-time winner, ruling him out of Haydock’s Betfair Chase. However, defending his Fleur De Lys crown at Windsor in the New Year remains a target. For now, the focus is firmly on the King George VI Chase. "He’s very well in himself and I think we will go to Kempton if the ground is no better than good to soft," said Peter Pink, who owns the horse along with his wife Patricia, Andy Edwards, and Pam Sharman.
"The trouble with being a Group One horse is there aren’t many options before Christmas. Venetia is getting him ready for the King George, which I think will be a hot race. We’ve had a few minor injuries and a bit of colic, but he’s fine now. Venetia will have him spot on, and he’s in good form."
Pink added, "We’ll probably look at the Fleur De Lys again. Andy visits him regularly, and he looks great. He’s not raced much, and Venetia has done a fantastic job with him."
🗣️ "He’s improved for the run and we’re really looking forward to Sunday."
— Sporting Life Racing (@SportingLife) November 12, 2024
🏇🇫🇷 King George VI Chase favourite Il Est Francais will warm up for his return to Kempton in the Prix La Haye Jousselin at Auteuil on Sunday.https://t.co/WiOlGGLlxc
Despite being the 9-4 favourite last year, L’Homme Presse is currently priced at 25-1 for this year's race by Ladbrokes, with French raider Il Est Francais leading the market. The connections understand the tough challenge ahead but remain hopeful. "The ground will be crucial. If it’s good to soft, we’ll have a go. It’s going to be a tough race, but if he’s in good form, we hope to have an outside chance," Pink continued.
Ladbrokes King George VI Chase
£250,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus, 3m, Class 1
24 entries
Going:
NO. FORM HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY
1 4362-3 Ahoy Senor 9 11-10 Lucinda Russell
2 1/19-1 Banbridge 8 11-10 Joseph O'Brien
3 283/4- Blue Lord 9 11-10 W P Mullins
4 2256-2 Bravemansgame 9 11-10 Paul Nicholls
5 3140-8 Capodanno 8 11-10 W P Mullins
6 2F13-2 Corbetts Cross 7 11-10 Emmet Mullins
7 3224-1 Envoi Allen 10 11-10 Henry De Bromhead
8 /11/1- Ferny Hollow 9 11-10 W P Mullins
9 1221-1 Found A Fifty 7 11-10 Gordon Elliott
10 11U1-2 Gaelic Warrior 6 11-10 W P Mullins
11 71P2-2 Ga Law 8 11-10 Jamie Snowden
12 3111-2 Galopin Des Champs 8 11-10 W P Mullins
13 11-313 General En Chef 8 11-10 Noel George & Amanda Zetterholm
14 11122- Ginny's Destiny 8 11-10 Paul Nicholls
15 61/11- Grangeclare West 8 11-10 W P Mullins
16 12113- Grey Dawning 7 11-10 Dan Skelton
17 6-3232 Hewick 9 11-10 John Joseph Hanlon
18 1115-1 Il Est Francais 6 11-10 Noel George & Amanda Zetterholm
19 2131-1 Il Etait Temps 6 11-10 W P Mullins
20 1/416- Jungle Boogie 10 11-10 Henry De Bromhead
21 U/124- L'Homme Presse 9 11-10 Venetia Williams
22 13631- Minella Cocooner 8 11-10 W P Mullins
23 32313- Protektorat 9 11-10 Dan Skelton
24 6F/1F- Royale Pagaille 10 11-10 Venetia Williams
