BURGER KING Nicholls eyes up 11th win in tasty encounter on Boxing Day
IT WILL be burgers all round if Paul Nicholls wins Thursday’s Ladbrokes King George VI Chase at Kempton for a staggering 11th time.
“For the last four or five years we’ve stopped off on the way home for a burger,” said Nicholls. “Last year Ged Mason, jointowner of Clan Des Obeaux with Sir Alex Ferguson and Paul Barber, was with us showing off the trophy, dancing around and giving everyone £50 notes and saying, ‘We’ve won the King George.’”
But Nicholls could be the one that prevents another celebration for Mason as he pitches Cyrname, the highest-rated chaser in training, against Clan Des Obeaux in the Boxing Day cracker.
There are shades of when Nicholls trained two of the giants of the game – Denman and Kauto Star – at the same time.
“These two horses have shoe-horned themselves into the race,” said Nicholls.
“It’s a shame you have two horses from the same yard taking each other on but you’re not going to be going anywhere else.”
Nicholls makes a convincing case for both contenders.
“Clan had a great prep race at Down Royal last month,” he said.
“Last year he improved massively from
CHASING THE BIG PRIZE: 2018 King George winner winner Clan Des Obeaux and (above) Paul Nicholls
Haydock to Kempton and he’s done the same this year. He’s just under the very top, he’s competitive and loves going right-handed. Kempton seems to suit him.
“Horses that win King Georges have a habit of winning two or three – like Kauto Star, who won five. His fifth win was my most enjoyable moment in racing.”
Nicholls was reminded of Kauto Star after Cyrname galloped before he won at Ascot last month.
He said: “I saw him work round Wincanton and I’d never seen anything like it – he was awesome. I thought, ‘My God, he’s the best I’ve had since Kauto.’”
Nicholls clearly knows what is required to win a King George.
“They’ve got to stay, they have to have class and jump,” he said. “All my winners of the race have been similar types.
“I thought Cryname was made for the
King George after he won at Ascot in January. He’s like two different horses compared to last year when he was a tearaway.
“But now we can train him how we want to. Kempton will not be an issue for him as he’s won his two races there and I don’t see the three miles as a problem.”
As for the opposition, Nicholls added: “Lostintranslation has done nothing wrong and is going the right way.
“Thistlecrack is a past winner but is not getting any younger.”