'Gold Cup quotes of 14-1 are a little insulting given Tornado Flyer's profile'

'A Plus Tard remains the standout contender'

The King George panned out perfectly for Tornado Flyer, who was given an excellent ride by Danny Mullins, but would such tactics work in the Gold Cup?

Synchronised and Lord Windermere have powered home from the rear to land the Cheltenham showpiece in the past decade but generally a prominent or at least mid-division position is preferable.

Tornado Flyer also has to prove he stays another two and a half furlongs at a much more demanding track, so 14-1 does not entice me.

We'll know a bit more after Tuesday's Savills Chase, but as the Gold Cup market suggests, 5-2 favourite A Plus Tard is the standout contender at this stage – particularly after Minella Indo's puzzling display.
Jack Haynes, reporter

Watch: Tornado Flyer causes a major shock in the King George

'Quotes of 14-1 are a little insulting'

At halfway in the King George I found myself thinking about the burn up in 1987 between Desert Orchid and Beau Ranger which opened the door for the stoutly-bred Nupsala to win the first of five King Georges for Francois Doumen.

But for all that Frodon and Minella Indo went very hard, you have to be able to travel as well as stay to profit from such a situation and both Tornado Flyer and the luckless Asterion Forlonge were completely unexposed at three miles.

Tornado Flyer’s only previous attempt came in a furiously-run Savills Chase at Leopardstown last Christmas, when he was a well-beaten fifth behind A Plus Tard.

Tornado Flyer jumps the last on his way to Kempton gloryCredit: Edward Whitaker

Quotes of 14-1 about the Gold Cup are a little insulting given that profile and he looks sure to be in the Mullins squad, which threatens to outnumber the legitimate contenders the whole of Britain can muster.

Minella Indo was beaten too far out for the pace to have been an issue and it would be no surprise to see him kept almost exclusively to Cheltenham in the future, given his form there is vastly superior to anywhere else.
Scott Burton, reporter

'Three times he's gone to the festival and he's not been good enough'

He's not a Gold Cup horse. Three times he's gone to the festival and he hasn't been good enough on each occasion so why will now be any different? He stays three miles so at least he’s got that in his armoury, but the race went his way at Kempton with the leaders going too fast.

Minella Indo was a big disappointment, but don't give up on him yet for March. The cheekpieces didn't really work and all his best form is in the spring.

However, the horse to take out of the King George is surely Saint Calvados. Once again he didn't get the trip, but he looked the winner turning in and again showed that he is a serious horse when the ground is soft.
James Hill, tipster

Read more:

King George report: 28-1 Tornado Flyer denies Clan Des Obeaux in big King George upset for Mullins

How the King George was won: Keith Melrose's big-race analysis (Members' Club)

Lee Mottershead: Henderson is fearful for Shishkin after a day when the Tornado struck Kempton (Members' Club)

'I was beaten a long way from home' – Blackmore disappointed with Minella Indo

'Sometimes you've just got to keep going and hope' – 999-1 in-running stunner

Shades of Denman says Nicholls as 'mighty' Bravemansgame storms to victory

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