NICHOLLS IS THE KING OF KEMPTON

Andy Newton explains why you'd have to be brave to back against the Ditcheat handler for the Boxing Day bonanza

- Andy Newton

It’s Christmas folks and with that many yearly traditions that include a slap-up Turkey dinner, Noddy Holder blasting out the radio every five minutes and the John Lewis advert that you’ve now probably seen 100 times as it likely came out in October!

However, for us racing fans, the big Christmas highlight is, of course, the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase at Kempton – run every year on Boxing Day.

Twelve months ago, the Christmas expenses were paid for with the Paul Nicholls-trained Bravemansgame powering home to win by 14 lengths – a success that gave the Ditcheat handler a remarkable 13th success in the big festive feature.

In fact, the Kempton race has been dominated by the main UK yards in recent times – with the powerful Nicholls, Nicky Henderson and Tizzard stables now responsible for a staggering 16 of the last 17 winners.

It was only the Willie Mullins winner in 2021 of Tornado Flyer that has failed to make it a clean sweep from these top UK tards.

Over that period, from 2006, Nicholls has landed 11, with Henderson three and Tizzard, who has now handed over to son Joe, two of the last seven.

With big names like Kauto Star (five wins), Long Run (two wins), Silviniaco Conte (two wins) and Cue Card among the names on the roll of honour.

This Grade One Chase is also arguably second only to the Grand National when it comes to the ‘once-a-year’ racing fans having a bet, and in recent years it’s certainly been a contest the bookies have hated with 11 of the last 21 favourites winning.

The bookies did gain some respite in 2021 and 2020 with 20/1 shot Frodon and Tornado Flyer defying his odds – but, even though Bravemansgame wasn’t favourite last year – he was still sent well-fancied at 11/4.

Stamina a Much-Needed Asset, Despite Kempton Being a Flat Track.