King George VI Chase: Kempton big race – focus on runners and riders

Kempton has been kind to Colin Tizzard over the years, and has played a significant part in turning the south-west of England dairy farmer into one of the most formidable players in British jump racing.

The Tizzard team guided Cue Card, one of the few horses to get vaguely near the level of public affection enjoyed by the four-time King George winner Desert Orchid, to success in the big race in 2015; he was then runner-up to the stable’s Thistlecrack a year later.

Joe Lively and Royal Vacation also brought the trophies for the Grade One Kauto Star Novices’ Chase back to Milborne Port.

Now Thistlecrack returns, looking for a repeat win and seeking to improve on his fourth place of 2017; again jockey Tom Scudamore rides in the orange-and-black silks of owners John and Heather Snook.

With injury problems now behind him he was the ‘eye-catcher’ – considering his long absence – when third behind Bristol De Mai at Haydock.

The Brocade Racing-owned Native River, the Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, ran a fine race in second at Haydock, but the three-mile distance on the flat Kempton track looks unlikely to suit his reserves of stamina. Richard Johnson rides.

Thistlecrack

Age: 10 Best odds: 10-1 Official rating: 165

Form: No win in only four races since the 2016 King George, but injury-plagued; encouraging third at Haydock in November.

Previously at Kempton: Beat the great Cue Card in the King George; behind Might Bite in 2017.

They say: “Haydock showed me the engine is still there, the fire’s still in his belly, and with the improvement you’d hope you could get at Kempton, you can’t rule him out” – Tom Scudamore

One other thing: In 2016, he was the first novice chaser to win the King George in only his fourth race over fences.