Unless you own a face mask or hand sanitizer company, I think you will all agree it will be good to see the back of 2020!
Yes, it’s certainly been a year to remember (and forget), but let’s not all be doom and gloom as we’ve still got Christmas to look forward to – in some shape or form – and with that one of the Festive highlights for racing fans is, of course, the King George VI Chase on Boxing Day.
The King George is certainly one of the jumping highlights on the racing calendar and a contest where seasoned racegoers and the more recreational punters come together to try and get their Christmas expenses paid for by the bookies.
The Grade One Chase is probably second only to the Grand National when it comes to the ‘once-a-year’ punters crawling out of the woodwork to have a bet, and in recent years it’s certainly been a contest the bookies have hated with eleven of the last 18 favourites winning!
It could be more of the same again this year too, with the winner for the last two years – Clan des Obeaux – sure to be popular in the betting as he looks to become the first horse since Kauto Star to win the King George VI Chase three times on the spin. If he can win again he’ll join greats like Wayward Lad and Desert Orchid, who landed this Christmas chase more than twice.
The current champ hails from the powerful Paul Nicholls yard, that will be hunting their twelfth win in the race, and with the classy Cyrname a possible runner for the stable too, then it could be another big day for the Ditcheat-based handler.
Denne historien er fra December 2020-utgaven av Racing Ahead.
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Denne historien er fra December 2020-utgaven av Racing Ahead.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Tragedy Hits Racing Family - Nick Townsend reels from shock attack on John Hunt's wife and daughters
Nick Townsend reels from shock attack on John Hunt's wife and daughters. I will be far from alone in recent days in being overcome by emotions ranging from utter disbelief to revulsion upon hearing of the unspeakable acts perpetrated upon John Hunt's family, resulting in the death of his wife Carol and daughters, Hannah and Louise.
AUDIENCE IS ERUPTING
John Anthony reveals the latest top speedsters after another Glorious Goodwood
HORSE OF A LIFETIME
Graham Buddry pays fresh tribute to track legend Sea The Stars - surely one of the greatest ever
IT'S TIME TO TAKE STOCK
Paul Jacobs looks forward to seeing some big on-track questions answered
PLAYING TO THE WHISTLE
lan Heitman flies about to keep pace with a rush of two-year-old Flat action
WINNING JOY ON A BUDGET
Richard Eagle takes a trip to Windsor to check out peoples' route into the port of kings
GIFT HORSES AND FRENCH LESSONS
Robert Cooper finds 'retirement' is keeping him busy
FEUD GETS THE PARTY ROLLING
Karl Hedley savours the Galway Festival action and picks out the summer highlights at Ballybrit
ROCKING THE MONEY BAGS
Simon Nott reveals his recent experiences from trips to Brighton and Ascot
FLYING EVE'S BORN TO WIN
Nick Townsend talks to in-form trainer Eve Johnson Houghton