Mill Can Walk It At Aintree

Paul Jacobs with his ante-post thoughts for December

At this time of the year, the National Uunt scene is getting into full swing and many of you will be looking forward to the King George VI Chase at Kempton Park on Boxing Day.

However, as I am penning this piece on the Thursday before the Christy 1965 Chase at Ascot and the clash of Cyrname and Altior, it is hard to get a hang on the make and shape of the big race at the Sunbury-on-Thames track.

I am of the opinion that Altior will not stay and could well be dropped back to two miles again and take in the Champion Chase next March. To that effect I have backed him at 11/2 for next March. And that is despite my opinion that it is hugely apparent that Cheltenham is not a track that plays to his strengths, the downhill run having seen him outpaced twice in his career with only the rising ground coming to his rescue, as it does at Sandown Park.