Might for another Bite
THE King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day is the highlight of the Christmas racing programme. CHRIS GOULDING spoke to some of the sport’s leading lights to find out who they think will win this most prestigious chasing prize
SIR ANTHONY McCOY (Greatest ever jump jockey – pictured below)
“Might Bite has a few questions to answer after Haydock. Even though he’s favourite it would be quite hard to go for him. He could win but he obviously needs to bring his A-game. It is very open. Is Bristol De Mai a different horse now after his wind op? Politologue is stepping up in trip again. Thistlecrack didn’t jump very well at Haydock. Maybe Waiting Patiently is the one.”
JP McMANUS (Leading owner and renowned punter)
“It’s always hard to beat the defending champion (Might Bite winner of last year’s race). I have no strong view, but I suppose Might Bite, as he’s been there and done it.”
OLIVER SHERWOOD (Trainer of Grand National winner Many Clouds)
“You cannot eliminate Might Bite. You have to put a line through the form of that Haydock race (where Might Bite finished last). From a personal point of view, I would love to see Thistlecrack win as we beat him with Many Clouds at Cheltenham a few years ago. He ran a good race at Haydock.”
BARRY GERAGHTY (Won the race on Kicking King 2004- 2005)
“You can forgive Might Bite the last day at Haydock. But again, you can say the same about Bristol De Mai’s run in last year’s King George. If I had to call one it would be Might Bite.”
WARREN GREATREX (Lambourn trainer)
“It will be interesting to see how Might Bite will come back. Thistlecrack ran well but I’m not totally convinced. Clan Des Obeaux ran well in that Haydock race, which the other two ran in, but I’m not sure if he’s got the class for this sort of race. Will Politologue get the trip? I would say, if Might Bite bounces back he will take a hell of a lot of beating.”
DAN SKELTON (A future champion trainer – pictured right)
“I think it’s an open race. I would not like to pin my colours to any one of them. Any one of six could win it. It’s very, very competitive. If I was putting my last tenner on it would be on Politologue.”
JIMMY FROST (Grand National winner and father of Bryony)
“Might Bite won it last year and I think Kempton suits him a lot better than Cheltenham. He’s a top class horse when he’s travelling. Cheltenham does not really suit him as I think the stiff uphill finish finds him out. Kempton is flat and it’s ideal for him.”
MICK FITZGERALD (Grand National and Cheltenham Gold Cup winning jockey – pictured)
“I want to see Might Bite bounce back. Kempton is his track, you saw that last year in this race and the year before when he fell at the last when he had the race won. I just think the cobwebs will have been blown away after his run at Haydock.”
FERGAL O’BRIEN (Gloucestershire trainer)
“Personally, because my good friend Richard Bevis rides him out every day, it has to be Bristol De Mai. He beat some very good horses the last day at Haydock in the Betfair Chase. I see him every day, as I train next door to Nigel Twiston-Davies (the gelding’s trainer). I saw him work the other day and he looked very good.”
KIM BAILEY (Grand National, Gold Cup and Champion Hurdle winning trainer)
“I’m going to go for the grey horse, Politologue, who beat Charbel, my horse, at Ascot. The form has been franked by Charbel winning the Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon.”