Mullins puts super Allaho in frame for King George

TRAINER Willie Mullins will consider a challenge for the King George vi Chase at Kempton with Allaho after the giant gelding stepped up to three miles and romped to a 15-length win in the punchestown Gold Cup yesterday. The 6-5 favourite had been imperious when winning the last two runnings of the 2m 4f ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival but there were question marks over his stamina and effectiveness over the longer distance. They were answered emphatically as Allaho saw off the dogged challenge of last year’s winner — the paul Nichollstrained Clan Des obeaux — with a clutch of top-class rivals strung out behind him. A shot at the even longer Cheltenham Gold Cup over 3m 2½f next season is probably a challenge Allaho’s team will be reluctant to take up, especially as his owners the Cheveley park Stud also own reigning champion A plus Tard. But the King George at Kempton on Boxing Day looks made to measure. Mullins (above) said: ‘He’s some engine. i was a bit worried he could only do that over two-and-a-half miles but now he can do it over three and he’ll be more mature next year. He’s only eight years old. ‘That opens up a lot more options for him now. You could probably say King George the way he jumps.’