Who To Follow At Kempton On Boxing Day

The feature race of the afternoon and arguably one of the most eagerly-anticipated races of the National Hunt calendar is the King George VI Chase held over a stamina-sapping three miles and we are delighted to see how Lostintranslation fares in the Boxing Day classic with next years Cheltenham Festival forever edging closer.

Next years current Gold Cup ante-post favourite went neck-and-neck throughout last years campaign with the 2019 JLT Novices' Chase winner Defi Du Seuil, not only proving his speed over a shorter trip, but also proving he has the credentials to go right to the top.

With several of his runs coming over two-and-a-half last season, he proved his stamina when easily fending off Topofthegame at Aintree over the extended 3m on his final 2018/19 outing.

He's looked to have improved bundles over the summer to notch up two impressive wins in his first two appearances this season, being foot-perfect over his fences and proving again stamina in the meantime, which has not only shortened his price for the big race in March but also entitled him to be a massive player in this Boxing Day feature.

2018/19 Champion Trainer Paul Nicholls has started the season in terrific form and again saddles some really smart runners on this Boxing Day card, including the highly-rated Cyrname and last years King George winner Clan Des Obeaux for this years renewal.

In the feature event of the afternoon the in-form handler from Ditcheat will attempt to replicate last years success with Clan Des Obeaux, who was far from disgraced when second on reappearance and given he has been handed a small break since, he is entitled to come on leaps and bounds for that run in his bid to defend last years title.

More importantly, however, after much debate number one stable rider Harry Cobden has opted to ride the immensely-popular Cyrname in this years renewal who crushed Nicky Henderson's hopes of another King George success when easily fending off unbeaten chaser Altior in the Christy 1965 Chase on return, and looks a worthy favourite in this years event.

Nicholls also saddles several other interesting runners, notably Danny Whizzbang in the Ladbrokes Kauto Star Novices' Chase, who was another impressive performer last time when easily brushing aside two smart types in Reserve Tank and Ardlethen, looking to have benefited well from a breathing operation over the summer.

Last years Champion Trainer has a nice record at this meeting, 21% all-time strike-rate to be exact, and if continuing his solid start to this years campaign his team could again find themselves in the winners enclosure.

After careful consideration Harry Cobden has decided to ride Cyrname in his bid for back-to-back King George wins and despite the decision not being a straight forward one, you would like to think he has made the right choice with the jolly currently the highest-rated National Hunt horse in the country.

Aside from the big event of the afternoon Cobden has a whole bunch of big rides on the card, including the smart novice hurdler and expensive purchase Ecco in the opener, the rapidly-improving Danny Whizzbang in the Kauto Star Novices' Chase, and the well-regarded Getaway Trump in the Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle.

The stable's number one jockey has a 23.17% strike-rate, for a £1 level-stake profit of £16.62, when riding around Kempton and could be well up to enhancing that record in what is set to be a massive afternoon for the rider.