Best Mate installed 3-1 favourite to land King George
Henrietta Knight’s three-time Gold Cup winner was one of 32 entrants for the three-mile contest unveiled today, although he may well instead head to Ireland for the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown two days later.
Miss Knight could still have a runner though even if Best Mate does go to Ireland as last year’s winner Edredon Bleu is also in the race.
England and Ireland’s top two-mile chasers Azertyuiop and Moscow Flyer have both been entered for the race and take high rank in the betting, although they will be going into unknown territory in terms of distance if they line up.
Other notable entries for the £200,000 event include last Sunday’s impressive Cheltenham winner Fundamentalist and Noel Chance’s unexposed Murphy’s Cardinal, while Nicky Henderson has entered the 2003 Paddy Power Gold Cup winner Fondmort, Calling Brave, who his due to make his seasonal debut this weekend at Windsor and Scots Grey.
Martin Pipe has five entries, with 2003 King George runner-up Tiutchev and this year’s Betfred Gold Cup winner Puntal heading the list along with Our Vic, Therealbandit and Seebald.
Aside from Moscow Flyer, the Irish challenge includes Kicking King, Harbour Pilot and Nil Desperandum, while 2000 King George winner First Gold is the sole French raider.
Julian Thick, managing director of Kempton Park, said:
“The quality and depth of the entry is fantastic.
“It is a blend of stayers, two milers, young pretenders and proven champions which makes the King George VI Chase the wonderful spectacle that it always is.
“The rise in prize money from £160,000 to £200,000 is a significant increase and we are thrilled to have Stan James as our new Festival sponsor for five years.”
Stan James King George VI Chase betting: Stan James: 3-1 Best Mate, 4-1 Moscow Flyer, 6-1 Azertyuiop, 7-1 Our Vic, 12-1 Kicking King, Lord Sam, 14-1 Fundamentalist, 16-1 Edredon Bleu, Joly Bey, 20-1 bar
: 7-2 Best Mate, 4-1 Moscow Flyer, 7-1 Azertyuiop, Our Vic, 10-1 Fundamentalist, 12-1 Kicking King, 14-1 Kingscliff, 16-1 Tiutchev, Edredon Bleu, Calling Brave, Edredon Bleu, Calling Brave, Harbour Pilot, Hand In Hand, Lord Sam, 20-1 bar
GRAHAM LEE will replace Tony Dobbin as team captain for Ireland in Saturday’s betfair.com Jockeys’ Challenge at Aintree.
Dobbin was due to lead the side but he has been booked to ride Edredon Bleu in the Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon on the same day.
Lee was the leading rider at last season’s Grand National meeting and also partnered Amberleigh House to victory in the big race itself.
