Structure Hill faces its hardest check in what will probably be his first marketing campaign in 12 months when he faces Lossiemouth within the Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle at Kempton Park on Boxing Day.
A lot has been mentioned and written about Nicky Henderson’s delight and pleasure since his spectacular second win in Group One final yr.
Nobody might have imagined what number of trials and tribulations his relationship had gone by way of throughout this era, to the purpose the place he noticed his spot as March Champion Hurdle favourite misplaced to Lossiemouth.
First there was a disastrous racecourse gallop at Kempton, earlier than he was found to have an an infection that might rule him out of Cheltenham, after which a bout of colic.
Simply when Henderson hoped to carve out a transparent path together with his run in the beginning of the season, he limped again to the racecourse from Newbury when one other downside on the racecourse meant he could not run Sport 5.
Structure Hill has not been featured within the race since final yr’s Christmas Hurdle
Nevertheless, he’s now match once more and is reportedly firing on all cylinders – one thing he’ll want towards Lossiemouth.
Her solely failure was when she encountered site visitors issues on the 2023 Dublin Racing Pageant, since she gained the Triumph Hurdle, the Worldwide, the Marais Hurdle and final day trip the Hatton Grace.
Lossiemouth dominate in Hatton Grace and now favourite to win the Champion Hurdle
Educated by Willie Mullins in Wealthy Ricci colors, Lossiemouth is formally rated 15lb decrease than Structure Hill however she has a 7lb hen Horse allowance to match her racing health.
There have been solely two different runners. James Owen’s Greatwood Hurdle winner Burdett Highway and Sam Thomas’ one-time total winner completed second to Structure Hill’s super-sub Gee within the fifth battle Sir Gino.
Spillane’s Tower ranked eleventh within the King George combine
Grey Dawning, Il Est Francais and Spillane’s Tower are amongst 11 runners introduced for the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase.
Dan Skelton’s Grey Dawning was the winner of final season’s Turners Novices’ Chase on the Cheltenham Pageant and was the winner of final month’s He appears to be the house aspect’s selection after being touched by Haydock specialist Royale Pagaille within the Betfair Chase.
Educated in France by Noel George and Amanda Zetterholm, Il Est Francais carried out properly over the King George observe and distance within the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase 12 months in the past, regardless of being pulled out at Auteuil final time. However nonetheless deserves an enormous quantity of respect.
Il Est Francais impressed everybody together with his bounce when profitable at Kempton final yr
Il Est Francais is joined by fellow Normal En Chef, who completed fourth on his British debut within the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury, and David Cottin’s supplementary contender Juntos Ganamos, who additionally hopes to be The primary French-trained King George winner since his first gold in 2000.
A robust Irish squad is headed by Spillane’s Tower, beginner Jimmy Mangan, a two-time Division One winner final season, and John Durkan of Punchestown a month in the past. (John Durkan) On the court docket, he was narrowly shut out by JP McManus’ Rising Stars Reality To File.
Regardless of considerations over dry floor, Spilanta (Mark Walsh) was added to the King George Floor final week. The McManus colours may even be carried by the Emmet Mullins-trained Corbetts Cross, with prime beginner Derek O’Connor coming in from 3 Returning to racing for the primary time since 17 wins within the Nationwide Hunt Chase at Cheltenham in October.
Spillane’s Tower and Mark Walsh triumph at Fairyhouse
Joseph O’Brien’s Banbridge and Henry de Bromhead’s Envoi Allen additionally crossed the Irish Sea, however Final yr’s winner Hewick has but to be introduced, with these opting to have him hurdled at Leopardstown later this week.
The 2022 King George hero Bravemansgame seeks to regain the title and provides coach Paul Nicholls a report 14th race victory.
The road-up additionally consists of L’Homme Presse, who’s making his debut since ending fourth within the Cheltenham Gold Cup for Venetia Williams final season, and Patrick Neville’s Charlie Holchase Corridor Chase winner The Actual Whacker will probably be partnered by shock driver Gavin Sheehan, who gained the title 12 months in the past.
