Soft ground conditions highly likely to persist at Kempton until the King George
During this season, the King George VI Chase is the second race that has brought up some serious ground conditions. Before this, the Grade 1 StanJames.com Fighting Fifth Hurdle on 1st December, 2012 at Newcastle put forth conditions which led to the ruling out of many important entries.
The new trainer, Harry Fry, had to wait for his under charge, Rock On Ruby, to take off the season, he just could not race the champion on the persisting ground conditions. Next in line was trainer, Nicky Henderson, who annulled his Darlan entry from the line-up due to the same concerns.
The race eventually was won by, Countrywide Flame.
The contestants for the 2012 King George VI Chase, are in for one of the most testing editions due to the soft ground. Last time that the scenario took such unfortunate turn was in 2002 when the spectacle was won by, Best Mate.
Barney Clifford, clerk of the course at Kempton, said on Wednesday: "If the rain materialises that we have been forecast we anticipate the ground to be soft for the William Hill Winter Festival.
The good to soft ground conditions also presented themselves in the 2010 edition that was won by, Long Run. He is the 5 to 2 favourite for the stellar this season and his jockey, Sam Waley-Cohen, has shown a green flag after he examined the course on Wednesday.
Clifford said: "He gave it the thumbs up and said it was similar to when Long Run won the rescheduled King George two years ago.”
"If we get the rain they say I expect it to be soft, but not tiring soft, and we are looking forward to a competitive renewal of the race with speed horses like Cue Card in the mix."
Besides the most popular candidate for the race, Cue Card has also jumped in the spot light due to the fast and speedy horse that he is. Until yet the line-up has seen no withdrawals and that seems to remain the same.
Another one confident about his chances over the soft ground at Kempton is the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up, The Giant Bolster. There are quite high chances that trainer, David Pipe, will give his horse, Grands Crus, a shot in the race too.
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