3 minute read
Frodon, Clan Des Obeaux and Saint Calvados finely tuned for Kempton mission.
Paul Nicholls leads Britain's defence in the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase with a three-pronged attack at Kempton Park on Boxing Day.
The Ditcheat trainer will be at the forefront of repelling another successful raid from Henry de Bromhead, who sends Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Minella Indo over from his Waterford base, and Ireland's champion trainer Willie Mullins, who is responsible for Asterion Forlonge and Tornado Flyer.
Past winners Clan Des Obeaux , successful in 2018 and 2019, and Frodon 12 months ago, plus Saint Calvados, give Nicholls a big chance of a record-extending 13th triumph in the three-mile showpiece.
Nicholls believes Frodon – who will again be ridden by Bryony Frost – has a tremendous chance of landing back-to-back victories after his run in the Ladbrokes Champion Chase at Down Royal when he had Minella Indo beaten five lengths in third place.
"Kempton suits him well and that is why I thought Down Royal would suit him, it's a similar type of track. Three miles here is completely different to three and a quarter in the Gold Cup," he said.
"This preparation suits him as well, he had a run then we backed off him. He looks fantastic.
"He's got to have a leading chance as the last time he ran he beat Galvin – who could win the Savills Chase – and the Gold Cup winner Minella Indo, so in my eyes that was a career-best. He's at the top of his game now, looks to have improved from last year and definitely has an outstanding chance."
After disappointing last year following a hard race at Haydock, Clan Des Obeaux bids to regain his crown without having a prep run.
"He's had two away days at Newbury and Wincanton and I love running horses when they are very fit and very fresh and the way he looks at the moment I couldn't be happier. I think it will pay off going there very fresh with him," said Nicholls.
"The first year he won it he came on massively from his run in the Betfair Chase, but he went into that just about the outsider of the field. He was just out of his novice year so we knew he was going to progress.
"Now he's the finished article and we all know what he is and how he is so we don't need to prove anything en route.
"Last year after Haydock we just had to back off for a couple of weeks and then you are getting tight to giving them the prep they need for a race like the King George."
Saint Calvados makes his first appearance for the Nicholls team, having been trained by Harry Whittington when fourth 12 months ago.
"I've never run him so I don't know, but he looks good and couldn't have had a better preparation. He finished weakly in the straight last year having looked the winner turning in, but I don't think his jumping helped him then," he said.
"I don't know about the three miles yet because he hasn't proved it, but he doesn't seem the sharpest at home- he seems a galloper so I don't see why he won't get the trip, especially around Kempton."
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