Nicholls holding fire until Thursday
Paul Nicholls is to delay a decision on Azertyuiop’s participation in the Stan James King George VI Chase until Thursday morning, when final declarations for Sunday’s showpiece are made.
The Ditcheat trainer is happy to give the Queen Mother Champion Chase winner a crack at three miles, but has several things to consider first.
Nicholls has already earmarked Le Roi Miguel for the King George, with Ruby Walsh due to take the mount, leaving the trainer to sort out jockey arrangements in the Boxing Day feature.
Azertyuiop, second to Moscow Flyer in the Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown earlier this month, has an alternative engagement in the skybet.com Castleford Chase at Wetherby on Monday.
“We will decide on Thursday morning,” Nicholls told At The Races.
“We’ll check the weather forecast – that might play a big part in things. We have to declare on Thursday for Sunday, which makes it a bit of a problem.
“We’ll be keeping an eye on the weather, the ground, jockey availability - all these things.
“We don’t know if he’ll get the trip – there is that doubt at the back of your mind. But in all his races all he ever does is to stay on strongly. If he is going to get the trip anywhere, it is going to be around Kempton.
“Plenty of good two-milers have won the race and as long as the ground stays okay he’d have a chance anywhere.
“He’s come out of the Tingle Creek fine. It had taken him a day or two to get over Exeter but he’s bloomed since Sandown, and he is the sort of horse that improves with racing. I’m very pleased with him.”
Nicholls will be happy with the going report from Kempton, which suggests that good ground for Boxing Day is looking increasingly likely following another dry day.
The course received only a touch of drizzle overnight and officials are not expecting much more before Sunday’s mid-season feature.
Said clerk of the course Brian Clifford: “The ground is a mix of good and good to soft, with the forecast for not more than another 5mm of rain before the weekend.
“The weather will get colder on Christmas Eve and my prediction is unchanged - that the ground will be just on the slow side of good for the big race.”
Tom Taaffe is convinced that stamina will not be a problem for Kicking King.
The Irish raider’s only previous attempt at three miles ended in defeat by Beef Or Salmon in the James Nicholson Wine Merchant Champion Chase at Down Royal.
Taaffe, though, put that down to his charge running too free because of a slow pace.
“It was just a messy race on very heavy ground,” Taaffe told At The Races.
“He was just too free on the day, but at Kempton they will go a gallop and it’s meant to be an easier track, so I’m not worried about the trip.”
After Down Royal, Kicking King bounced back with a smooth victory over two and a half miles in the Grade One John Durkan Memorial Chase at Punchestown.
As for tactics, the County Kildare-based handler said: “I will play everything by ear and we’ll ride the race according to the way it looks and the way the other horses will be ridden, etc.
“I came over to Kempton and Brian Clifford showed me round. I was thrilled with the track and I have no problems whatsoever with it.”
Kicking King, who is expected at Kempton on Friday morning, is a best-priced 3-1 favourite with Coral.
Stan James King George VI Chase betting:
Ladbrokes: 9-4 Kicking King, 10-3 Le Roi Miguel, 6-1 Therealbandit, 7-1 Calling Brave, 9-1 Kingscliff, 11-1 Seebald, 12-1 Lord Sam, Tiutchev, 14-1 Edredon Bleu, 20-1 First Gold, 50-1 bar.
William Hill: 5-2 Kicking King, 9-4 Best Mate (doubtful), 4-1 Le Roi Miguel, 5-1 Azertyuiop, 6-1 Calling Brave, 7-1 Therealbandit, 8-1 Kingscliff, 12-1 Tiutchev, Seebald, 14-1 Edredon Bleu, Lord Sam, 20-1 First Gold, 25-1 bar.
Totesport: 5-2 Kicking King, 4-1 Le Roi Miguel, 13-2 Calling Brave, Kingscliff, 7-1 Therealbandit, 8-1 Azertyuiop, 10-1 Tiutchev, 12-1 Lord Sam, 14-1 Seebald, 18-1 Edredon Bleu, 20-1 First Gold, 25-1 bar.
Coral: 3-1 Kicking King, 4-1 Le Roi Miguel, 5-1 Azertyuiop, 7-1 Calling Brave, 8-1 Therealbandit, Kingscliff, 12-1 Tiutchev, Lord Sam, 14-1 Seebald, 16-1 Edredon Bleu, 25-1 Murphy’s Cardinal, First Gold, 33-1 bar.
