'He's ready' - Minella Indo revved up for King George with cheekpieces fitted

Minella Indo's owner Barry Maloney is relishing the chance to finally have a shot at the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase (3.05) with his Gold Cup hero, who is set to wear cheekpieces for the first time when he faces eight rivals at Kempton on Sunday.

Maloney had been due to be represented in last year's King George by Monalee, but a travel ban due to the Covid-19 pandemic meant no Irish horses could compete in the UK.

Minella Indo heads a formidable Irish team on his first start at Kempton under Rachael Blackmore as he seeks a fourth top-level triumph and his owner is confident a repeat of his Cheltenham heroics will allow him to go close.

He said: "We're thrilled to be able to go over with Minella Indo this year, especially when the plan to bring Monalee was scuppered. You'd like to think a reproduction of his Gold Cup run would put him right there in the mix."

3.05 Kempton: Ladbrokes King George VI Chase racecard and betting

Minella Indo was beaten five lengths when third to the reopposing Frodon on his return in the Champion Chase at Down Royal in October, which has prompted trainer Henry de Bromhead to reach for the headgear.

Maloney added: "It was just felt it might help him focus on that track and it's not been any harm for him at home over the last couple of days. He's ready to go and we're really looking forward to it."

Last year's winner Frodon returns to the scene of his greatest triumph and is part of a three-strong team for Paul Nicholls, who also saddles two-time winner Clan Des Obeaux who will be seeking to regain his crown after finishing third to his stablemate last year.

Clan Des Obeaux (left) and Frodon (right) form part of a strong team for trainer Paul Nicholls

The nine-year-old will be reunited with Nicholls' stable jockey Harry Cobden as the trainer bids for a fourth consecutive win in the contest. Nicholls' new recruit Saint Calvados, last year's fourth who has joined the yard from Harry Whittington, completes the Ditcheat team.

The Irish challenge is completed by the Willie Mullins-trained pair Tornado Flyer and Asterion Forlonge, who unseated Bryan Cooper in the John Durkan Memorial Chase at Punchestown last month.

The latter, who will again be partnered by Cooper, finished third in last season's March Novices' Chase at Cheltenham and reopposes winner Chantry House, who aims to provide owner JP McManus with a first victory in the King George.

Trainer Nicky Henderson will also be represented by Mister Fisher, who makes his seasonal return from a 246-day layoff, while the resurgent Lostintranslation will bid to make it third time lucky, having been pulled up in the last two runnings of the King George.

Minella Indo narrowly heads the market with the race sponsors at 11-4 from Clan Des Obeaux at 3-1, with Chantry House a 9-2 chance and Frodon next best at 11-2.

Nicola McGeady of Ladbrokes said: "Minella Indo supporters are starting to emerge in the lead up to the race. He is a Gold Cup winner with the most popular jockey on board, so it'll be no surprise to see his price shorten."

Epatante heads five in Christmas Hurdle

Epatante faces a crucial test of her Champion Hurdle credentials in the Christmas Hurdle (2.30), with trainer Nicky Henderson this week offering "no excuses" should she suffer a shock defeat for the second year in a row.

An impressive winner two years ago, Epatante was turned over at odds of 1-5 by the ill-fated Silver Streak last year, but dead-heated with Not So Sleepy in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle on her reappearance.

Not So Sleepy takes on Epatante again in the 2m contest and the field of five is completed by Soaring Glory, Glory And Fortune and Tritonic, who makes a swift return having landed the Betfair Exchange Trophy at Ascot on Saturday.

2.30 Kempton: Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle racecard and betting

Top novices Bravemansgame and Ahoy Senor to renew rivalry

Two of Britain's leading novice chasers will face off in the Kauto Star Novices' Chase (1.55) when Bravemansgame takes on Ahoy Senor.

Ahoy Senor: set to take on Bravesmangame in the Kauto Star Novices' ChaseCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

An easy winner of his two starts over fences in open company this season, the Paul Nicholls-trained Bravemansgame seeks revenge on Ahoy Senor, who beat him by seven lengths second in the Sefton Novices' Hurdle at Aintree's Grand National meeting.

The Lucinda Russell-trained star, who sprang a 66-1 shock that day, has proved that was no fluke with a 31-length triumph in the John Francome Novices' Chase at Newbury's Ladbrokes Trophy meeting. The field of four is completed by outsider Tea Clipper and Kiltealy Briggs.

1.55 Kempton: Ladbrokes Kauto Star Novices' Chase racecard and betting

King George runners and riders

1. Asterion Forlonge Bryan Cooper
2. Chantry House Nico de Boinville
3. Clan Des Obeaux Harry Cobden
4. Frodon Bryony Frost
5. Lostintranslation Brendan Powell
6. Minella Indo Rachael Blackmore
7. Mister Fisher Sean Bowen
8. Saint Calvados Gavin Sheehan
9. Tornado Flyer Danny Mullins

Stuart Redding's best bets: King George VI Chase verdict and 1-2-3 prediction

1 Clan Des Obeaux
2 Chantry House
3 Tornado Flyer

This is a race with more than its fair share of multiple winners and I fancy Clan Des Obeaux to add a famous third success.

The Paul Nicholls-trained gelding had to work quite hard to beat Thistlecrack in 2018 renewal but had little trouble landing a second victory 12 months later, eventually crossing the line 21 lengths clear of Cyrname.

He lost his crown last year, but he was probably feeling the effects of a hard run at Haydock just five weeks earlier. He ended the season in the form of his life with Grade 1 wins at Aintree and Punchestown, and connections will have been working hard at home to ensure he is fully tuned up for this comeback.

This content was first published in Wednesday's Racing Post Weekender. Read more from Stuart and star Weekender contributors such as leading tipsters Tom Segal and Paul Kealy and exclusive columnist Alan King every week

Ladbrokes King George VI Chase odds
Sponsors: 11-4 Minella Indo, 3 Clan Des Obeaux, 9-2 Chantry House, 11-2 Frodon, 13-2 Asterion Forlonge, 14 Lostintranslation, 22 Saint Calvados, Tornado Flyer, 33 Mister Fisher

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