King George - 2022

[opatcho]

No cheekpieces for Ahoy
Tried them on in school, lite him up lol!!

 

[Benjy23]

All declared! Be good this.

Ahoy Senor Derek Fox
Bravemansgame Harry Cobden
Eldorado Allen Brendan Powell
Envoi Allen Rachael Blackmore
Frodon Bryony Frost
Hitman Sam Twiston-Davies
L'Homme Presse Charlie Deutsch
Millers Bank Jonathan Burke
Royale Pagaille Tom Scudamore

 

[opatcho]

That great to hear!!

19mm of rain due on christmas day, bound to see more soft into the going description come the race

Was looking at this race again, and I've gone off Envoi Allen, he the most frequent jumper over fences.
There's enough front runners in this race, they could go off too hard in front, but there arent many horses in this line up that appear to travel well in strongly run races, and finish well. I fully expect Bravemansgame and Hitman to jump and travel well into the race, but if they all off too hard then they could pay the price later on. Similar to Torando Flyer last season.
I feel the same could happen again this year, but i'm struggling to find a horse that fits my criteria outside of Bravemansgame - every good jumper, has form at kempton or is a speedy 3 miler, runs off the pace.

Tom booked on Royale Pagaille is interesting, but not soft enough and really want a horse that has had a prep run this season. Otherwise, he would have been high up my list

Like most years, will have to wait until Boxing day to confirm the going… it’s going to be key

 

[Zachx02]

Come on Envoi! Would be great to see redemption after the horrible year he had since falling at Cheltenham

 

[Craigy14]

Come on Envoi! Would be great to see redemption after the horrible year he had since falling at Cheltenham

I’m in his camp as well Zach, as long as it doesn’t come up too soft! Think his price was out of line of what they have achieved imo. If he doesn’t win a hope L’Homme Presse makes his mark for the Gold Cup.

 

[Zachx02]

If he doesn’t win a hope L’Homme Presse makes his mark for the Gold Cup.

my dad will be hoping that, became obsessed with this horse backed him every time hes ran since he started going chasing:highly_amused:

 

[robith]

Compelling race this year, lots of angles.

At prices, my money has gone with Eldorado Allen.

But my heart wants Envoi to win a big one

 

[opatcho]

So, I've decent to go back on my notes from previous years

1) Be aware of the novices from the previous years, even the Kauto Star winners arent as strong as they once were. Over rated and too short price
- L'Homme Presse, also not sure if this was his target. RSA/Gold Cup horse apparently
- Bravemangame, struggling with him, this is his target but this is his most competitive race to date and dont trust him to step up
- Ahoy Senor, cant jump, nutter which mean the Aintree form with the above is questionable
- Millers Bank, rubbish. Beaten by Nichols 3rd string LTO
2) Hasnt had a Prep run
- Royale Pagaille, and ground will be too quick
3) Side with those that have ran in more competitive races, ideally against the Irish at some point to help tie up the form and ratings
+ Envoi Allen, Irish form, Fez form
+ Hitman, form with Fakir at his trip, Tingle creek
+ Frodon
​4) Jumps well
- Envoi Allen, watched his last 2 runs and he isnt the most natural jumps. Was too big earlier last week
5) Likely to improve
- Frodon
- Not sure whether Eldorado Allen will improve

So really, that leaves me with one stand out... Hitman
I've purposely ignored a note I put in my tracker back in November 2020

- A new Clan Des Obeaux?
- Harry said they'd mind him during 20/21 season. 4 year old, first time out beat a good horse despite on ground that horse may not like
- Could every well follow CDS route. Leggy, similar to Clan when young. King George at some point

... and here we are... 9/1 for Hitman.

Update 13:15
1) Hitman my main selection
2) Royale Pagaille remains an interesting one, with the ground being called out as "tacky" ground, seeing the likes of Paisley Park coming back to win and there being plenty of pace in the KG, ​I think this lad will stay on the strongest. Scudamore on board aswell, think he'll ride a patient race
3) Eldorado Allen at a bigger each way option as I think he could place

 

[Benjy23]

Hitman stands out as the bet to be honest, without getting properly stuck in. As I've not got the time to get properly stuck in I'll just watch and hope L'homme Presse wins though. :chuncky:

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[opatcho]

Interesting to see how they continue to run today, two front runners were... took them on, and smashed up the field.
Looks like quickish ground to me..