Jockey’s delight at prospect of being part of ‘cracking race’ at Kempton

Aidan Coleman has been handed the ride on Whisper in the 32Red King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.

With owner Dai Walters’ retained rider Davy Russell opting to stay at home for Leopardstown’s big meeting, the mount was up for grabs.

As trainer Nicky Henderson’s preferred jockey Nico de Boinville rides stablemate and favourite Might Bite, Coleman has been approached.

“I’m delighted to be able to say that I have got the ride aboard Whisper in the 32Red King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day,” Coleman told his www.racinguk.com blog.

“I found out this morning and it is fantastic to be part of what is going to be a great race.

“Whisper has come off second best to Might Bite twice and, for a horse who some people say has wayward tendencies, the King George favourite has won a lot of good races already.

“Whisper’s run when second to Total Recall in the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury last month was brilliant and, with some rain possible, any soft ground at Kempton will really suit him.

“It will suit Bristol De Mai, too, and his win in the Betfair Chase was really something.

“I do not subscribe to the idea that he is just a heavy ground Haydock specialist. He has won at other tracks and simply sets a strong gallop that horses just can’t lay up with him.

“It is a cracking race and I would give last year’s winner Thistlecrack the benefit of the doubt because his run when fifth at Newbury in the Long Distance Hurdle was his first run since January following an injury,” he added.