ENGLISH RACING takes a break for the Christmas holiday ahead of the big Boxing Day meet at Kempton featuring the prestigious King George VI Chase over three miles and four furlongs.
The latest ante-post betting for this prestigious race lists PADDY POWER as the 11-4 favourite, followed by the Irish-trained KICKING KING at 4-1, AZERTYULOP 11-2, LE ROI MIGUEL 15-2, CALLING BRAVE 8-1, THEREALBANDIT 9-1, KINGSCLIFF 14-1, LORD SAM, SEEBALD, TIUTCHEV all at 20-1 and FIRST GOLD 25-1. The latter will be ridden by champion jockey Tony McCoy.
Champion trainer Martin Pipe, who has yet to win a King George, runs SEEBALD, THEREAIBANDIT and last year's runner up TIUTCHEV.
FAVOURITES
According to the sportlife website, KICKING KING and HARCHIBALD can score a notable Boxing Day double for the Irish at Kempton. Both horses are going to start favourites but backing them individually as well as in double, should make for a profitable day.
The pair is in top form and both will appreciate the going which, while on the soft side, is far better than they would get in Ireland.
HARCHIBALD pleased trainer Noel Meade in a spin on Tuesday and his wins in the Morglans Hurdle and Fighting Fifth make him a standout for the Stan James Christmas Hurdle.
Tom Taffe's KICKING KING put up a brilliant performance in the John Durkan Memorial Chase and Punchestown in Ireland recently and given a clear round, will prove hard to beat.
Track Price Plus will reopen on Monday for English and local racing.
