Just for a bit of fun - I was looking at the official ratings of the King George field (and wondering why Saint Calvados is still rated 167 like Frodon - but that's a different story) and got to thinking about who I would fancy if it were a handicap. Here's what the field would look like in that case (Name - (rating) - weight): 1. Minella Indo (175) 11-10 2. Clan Des Obeaux (172) 11-07 3. Frodon (167) 11-02 4. Saint Calvados (167) 11-02 5. Asterion Forlonge (164) 10-13 6. Chantry House (162) 10-11 7. Mister Fisher (162) 10-11 8. Tornado Flyer (161) 10-10 9. Lostintranslation (160) 10-09 10 Dashel Drasher (159) 10-08 Based on carrying those weights and given course form (for I believe Kempton offers a unique challenge - a flat track where jumping well at speed throughout the race is essential - no downhill sections to get a breather in), I would price the race up as follows: Frodon 5/2 Chantry House 3/1 Lostintranslation 9/2 Minella Indo 7/1 Clan Des Obeaux 15/2 Asterion Forlonge 8/1 Saint Calvados 12/1 Mister Fisher 16/1 Tornado Flyer 33/1 Dashel Drasher 50/1 Who would you fancy in this scenario, and why?
I’ll have a fiver on Asterion and a fiver on Chantry House please. The first one is a lunatic but probably the most ability in the field and the latter looks well handicapped against that field.
No strong opinions on the race, this term, but if someone held a gun to my head then my pick would be Clan Des Obeaux for '21. However, to actually answer the question if it was handicap (on the above terms) then my pick would be Chantry House off 162. Think off those weights he is, as old girl Tina Turner once said, 'Simply the Best.' Saint Calvados is now also on 162 by the way. Dropped 5 lbs since his last run. What do people think of the rest of the card, incidentally??? I think numbers wise the Christmas Hurdle and the Kauto Star are poor (just have half a dozen in both at the min). Both are saved somewhat though by having top table talent contained within. In the former Epatante and the latter Ahoy Senor, Bravemansgame and Threeunderthrufive. Meanwhile, I really hope JP McManus and (play the sinister music) his management team don't run Broomfield Burg in the opener as that could see him, potentially, destroying a most attractive handicap mark. Oh and Hendo currently has 25% of the runners in the 'lucky last' - and some decent ones amongst them as well, team. Would imagine his rep(s) would be hard to beat here.
Henderson has farmed the opening novice hurdle at Kempton for many years and has some likely types entered again
Broomfield Burg has been declared but the opposition has rather faded away and to be honest it now looks weak (5 opponents and the 2, of these, with ratings are only on 112 and 126). So Broomfield Burg can probably win and only get a small, if indeed any, rise in the weights - unless, of course, he wins by half the bally track!
Don't you think he gave the race away the other day at Cheltenham? To me he doesn't look straightforward and whilst he is classy, I wonder if he is one to avoid at short prices?
Yep, you are probably right in saying that he isn't straightforward but was giving a big chunk of weight away to the runner-up that day at Cheltenham. Personally, I think 134 is most appealing and would hate to see him totally blow this mark by winning this novice hurdle with ridiculous ease. They also have the option of stepping Broomfield Burg up in distance at some stage. As I said, on another thread, he did win an Irish Point over 24 furlongs before arriving at Seven Barrows.
