Structure Hill will face the sternest of examinations on his first run for 12 months up in opposition to Lossiemouth within the Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle at Kempton Park on Boxing Day.
There was loads spoken and written about Nicky Henderson’s pleasure and pleasure since he sauntered to a powerful second victory within the Grade One occasion final yr.
No one might have imagined the trials and tribulations his connections have been via within the intervening interval, a lot in order that he has seen his place as favorite for the Champion Hurdle in March snatched away by Lossiemouth.
First there was the disastrous racecourse gallop at Kempton, when he was subsequently discovered to be affected by an an infection which might rule him out of Cheltenham, then there was a bout of colic.
Simply when Henderson hoped for a transparent run with him firstly of this season, one other racecourse gallop went fallacious when he returned residence lame from Newbury, which means he couldn’t run within the Combating Fifth.
He’s match once more now, although, and reportedly firing on all cylinders – which he’ll must be in opposition to Lossiemouth.
Her solely defeat got here when assembly site visitors issues on the 2023 Dublin Racing Pageant, since when she has received the Triumph Hurdle, the Worldwide, the Mares’ Hurdle and final day trip the Hatton’s Grace.
Lossiemouth dominated within the Hatton’s Grace and is now the Champion Hurdle favorite
Educated by Willie Mullins within the Wealthy Ricci colors, Lossiemouth is 15lb inferior to Structure Hill on official scores, however will get a 7lb mares’ allowance to go along with the race health she has on her facet.
There are solely two different runners. James Owen’s Greatwood Hurdle winner Burdett Street and Sam Thomas’ Lump Sum, second within the Combating Fifth to Structure Hill’s super-sub Sir Gino.
Spillane’s Tower tops 11 in King George combine
Gray Dawning, Il Est Francais and Spillane’s Tower are amongst 11 runners declared for the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase.
Dan Skelton’s Gray Dawning, winner of the Turners Novices’ Chase finally season’s Cheltenham Pageant, seems to be the decide of the house group after being touched off by Haydock specialist Royale Pagaille in final month’s Betfair Chase.
Il Est Francais, educated in France by Noel George and Amanda Zetterholm, was chic in touchdown the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase over the King George course and distance 12 months in the past, and deserves enormous respect regardless of being pulled up at Auteuil final day trip.
Il Est Francais impressed everybody together with his leaping when profitable at Kempton final yr
Il Est Francais is joined by stablemate Common En Chef, who ran with credit score when fourth on his British debut within the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury, with David Cottin’s supplemented contender Juntos Ganamos additionally hoping to develop into the primary French-trained winner of the King George since First Gold in 2000.
A formidable Irish contingent is headed by Spillane’s Tower, a twin Grade One-winning novice for Jimmy Mangan final season and narrowly denied by fellow JP McManus-owned rising star Truth To File within the John Durkan at Punchestown a month in the past.
Regardless of issues about drying floor, Spillane’s Tower (Mark Walsh) was added to the King George area final week. The McManus colors may also be carried by the Emmet Mullins-trained Corbetts Cross, with prime newbie Derek O’Connor again on board for the primary time since steering him to a 17-length victory within the Nationwide Hunt Chase at Cheltenham in March.
Spillane’s Tower and Mark Walsh energy on to victory at Fairyhouse
Joseph O’Brien’s Banbridge and Henry de Bromhead’s Envoi Allen additionally make the journey throughout the Irish Sea, however final yr’s winner Hewick has not been declared, with connections opting to as an alternative run him over hurdles at Leopardstown later within the week.
The 2022 King George hero Bravemansgame bids to regain his crown and supply coach Paul Nicholls with a record-extending 14th victory within the race.
The sector is accomplished by L’Homme Presse, who makes his first look since ending fourth in final season’s Cheltenham Gold Cup for Venetia Williams, and Patrick Neville’s Charlie Corridor Chase winner The Actual Whacker, who will probably be partnered by Gavin Sheehan, who steered Hewick to glory 12 months in the past.
