Chantry House has laid the foundations
CHANTRY HOUSE can raise the roof in the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase (3.05) at Kempton today.
The son of Yeats hardly put a foot wrong as a fencing rookie last season, running out a convincing winner at both Cheltenham (Golden Miller Novices’ Chase) and Aintree (Mildmay Novices’ Chase) last spring.
The Liverpool triumph proved that JP Mcmanus’s sevenyear-old can show his best form over three miles, and Nicky Henderson, a three-time King George winner with Long Run (2010 and 2012) and Might Bite (2017), has had this race in mind ever since.
My selection made his return to action last month when trouncing The Big Breakaway in the two-runner Future Stars Intermediate Chase at Sandown.
To come home in front today – and humble the likes of titleholder Frodon, two-time victor Clan Des Obeaux and Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Minella Indo – Nico de
Boinville’s mount must take another step forward. But Chantry House (right) has the profile to land a first Grade 1 success in open company.
Henderson and de Boinville also have strong claims of landing the Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle (2.30) with EPATANTE.
Two winters ago, the French-bred mare cantered to a five-length margin in this race, en route to capturing the Champion Hurdle crown.
Epatante was beaten in both races last term, but a dead-heat with Not So Sleepy in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle on her comeback showed she is on the way back.
Paul Nicholls has spoken of BRAVEMANSGAME in the same terms of his 2008 Gold Cup winner Denman, and Harry Cobden’s partner is the obvious choice in the Grade 1 Ladbrokes Kauto Star Novices’ Chase (1.55).
Double-figure odds underestimate the chance of JACAMAR in the Get Your Ladbrokes £1 Free Bet Today Novices’ Handicap Chase (1.20) while, at Wetherby, last year’s third WINDSOR AVENUE gets the nod for the William Hill Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase (2.10).
NICKY HENDERSON has given Shishkin the green light to make his return to action in the Ladbrokes Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton tomorrow.
The trainer’s unbeaten chaser faces a clash with Tingle Creek Chase hero Greaneteen.