In the hands of Colin Keane, the now four-year-old, was a neck winner over Maxux (9/2) from the Joseph O’Brien stable, with the Jessica Harrington-trained Village Voice (4/1) a further half-length back in third.

The Tattersalls Gold Cup back at The Curragh is now a likely target for the Joseph Murphy-handled son of Ulysses.

White Birch is BACK!

The gorgeous grey wins on his seasonal debut in the https://t.co/U91pumStve Alleged Stakes (Group 3) under @ctkjockey for trainer John Joseph Murphy @thetotecom | @ToteRacing pic.twitter.com/9yQHE22svd

— The Curragh Racecourse (@curraghrace) April 20, 2024

The win was the second part of a double for rider Colin Keane, who earlier successfully teamed up with his father, Gerry, when race topweight Crystal Black (4/1) landed the Hytech Eq Ultra Handicap over a mile.

The gelded son of Teofilo battled on under 10 stone to beat Earls by a short-nose, with a further short-head back to Casanova in third.

Zaynab (10/1) gave Irish National Stud stallion Phoenix Of Spain his third winner of the week, when appropriately claiming the Nando Parrado at the Irish National Stud Irish EBF Maiden on Saturday.

In colours more usually seen at a National Hunt meeting, those of Bective Stud, the Gordon Elliott-trained three-year-old battled at the death to beat the race favourite, Igor Stravinsky (15/8f), on the line.

Bid For Chester (4/1) landed the Download The New Tote App Rated Race for Limerick rider Wesley Joyce and trainer Mick Mulvaney.

Chemistry won at the second time of asking for Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore as the son of Kingman broke his maiden as 8/13 favourite.

Chemistry (Kingman) finds the right formula up in trip in the @IrishNatStud @IrishEBF_ Maiden for Ryan Moore and Aidan O'Brien at @curraghrace pic.twitter.com/kxUdSt2Rwp

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) April 20, 2024

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Horse Racing Ireland has confirmed that the Naas meeting which was abandoned due to dense fog on Sunday has been rescheduled for Friday, January 12.

The meeting will feature the six races that were not run on Sunday plus an additional four-year-old and upwards handicap hurdle over two miles.

The standout race on the card will be the Grade 1 Lawlor’s of Naas Novice Hurdle, which is a key trial for the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

Top Irish trainers Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott both entered fancied runners in the race and are will be eager to see the rescheduled meeting staged.

The Mullins-trained Ile Atlantique was well supported in the ante-post market for the Ballymore after his number one jockey Paul Townend was booked for the ride at Naas.

Online bookmakers rated the horse as a 16/1 shot earlier in the week, but slashed him into 10/1 after reports emerged that he been working well at home.

Elliott’s Firefox is priced at odds of 7/1 on most leading betting sites for the Ballymore, highlighting why racing authorities are keen to stage the Naas race.

The racecourse is offering free entry to punters and has confirmed it will reimburse anyone whose day was ended prematurely on Sunday.

The meeting was abandoned after just one race due to the foggy conditions – a race in which Mullins had 1/4 shot Brandy Love turned over by stablemate Night And Day.

The trainer will be eager for the rescheduled meeting to be staged as he continues to assemble his team for the Cheltenham Festival in March.

More potential hurdling stars from the Mullins stable could showcase their credentials over at Fairyhouse and Leopardstown over the next few weeks.

Owner Kenny Alexander’s big money purchase Jade De Grugy was touted as a potential Cheltenham contender following an impressive debut at Leopardstown.

Fairyhouse’s SBK Solerina Mares Novice Hurdle on January 27 will likely be next on the agenda ahead of a tilt at the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle in March.

Alexander’s racing manager Peter Molony. “She was very impressive. We are not sure what she beat, but what she did was very good and Paul was very impressed with her – we are quite excited about her.

“Every option will be open, but something like the Solerina at the end of the month might be something for her.

“If she progresses in the right direction, you would be dreaming of the Mares’ Novices’ at Cheltenham. It’s what we’re thinking of at the moment and hoping for.”

Another Alexander-owned hurdler is also on track to climb the ranks after making an eye-catching debut in a Grade 2juvenile hurdle at the recent Leopardstown Christmas Festival.

Kargese finished second behind Kala Conti on her debut for the Mullins stable and will now be aimed at a Grade 1 race at the Dublin Racing Festival in early February.

“We were happy with her – she just didn’t settle great on the day,” Molony added. “Considering that, she ran very well and the winner had had two runs already so again we’re quite excited about her.

“Hopefully all going well she goes to the Dublin Racing Festival and if things progress well, we will dream of a go at the Triumph Hurdle.”

While Molony is excited about what the future holds for Kargese, another talented hurdler from the Mullins yard could scupper their hopes of success at Leopardstown.

The Tony Bloom-owned Bunting is being aimed at the same race and could be tough to beat after recording an effortless victory at Limerick over the festive period.

The horse has been touted as Mullins’ main hope for the Triumph Hurdle and odds of 8/1 will disappear if he emerges victorious at Leopardstown.

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Cracking performance

Relentless from Caldwell Potter who emulates his late brother Mighty Potter with glory in the G1 Future Champions Novice Hurdle@LeopardstownRC | @gelliott_racing | @jackkennedy15 pic.twitter.com/JsVvHL8LXo

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) December 27, 2023

In a field of nine runners, the Caldwell Construction Ltd.-owned son of Martaline was a six and a half length winner over Gigginstown House Stud’s Predators Gold (Patrick and Willie Mullins), while Down Memory Lane (Mr Derek O’Connor/Gordon Elliott) came home in third, 38 lengths behind the runner-up, with only five of the nine starters completing the 2 mile contest in very testing conditions.

Gordon Elliott pays tribute to Caldwell Potter and Jack Kennedy after their success at Leopardstown. pic.twitter.com/6fcS4CnfNi

— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) December 27, 2023

1-2-3 for McManus and Mullins

Owner J.P. McManus had a 1-2-3 in the Grade 1 The Paddy’s Rewards Club Chase over 2 miles 1 furlong as Dinoblue (9/4) defeated Gentleman De Mee (11/2) by seven and a half lengths, with Saint Roi (16/1) another 39 lengths back in third.

A dramatic renewal of the G1 Paddy’s Rewards Club Chase as Dinoblue leads home a JP McManus & @williemullinsnh 1-2-3 at @LeopardstownRC pic.twitter.com/xJ2eYieavB

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) December 27, 2023

In the five-runner field, the only three finishers all carried the colours of the Limerick-born J.P. McManus, all coming from from the stable of champion National Hunt trainer, Willie Mullins.

The race favourite, Captain Guinness (6/4), from the Henry de Bromhead yard, pulled up, while the other runner Dysart Dynamo – also from the Willie Mullins yard – fell.

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Sent into the lead early by jockey Michael O’Sullivan, last season’s Supreme Novices’ Hurdle winner at Cheltenham was challenged for a while by Feu Du Bresil from the Willie Mullins yard.

The Barry Connell-owned and trained son of French Navy, Marine Nationale, ran his rivals into submission to run out a very comfortable eight and a half-length winner over 8/1 chance Firm Footings (Jack Kennedy/Gordon Elliott), with Walk With Paul (22/1) a further 12 lengths behind in third for Conor and Martin Brassil.

Marine Nationale – back with a bang

Six runs
Six wins
Successful chasing debut
G1 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle
G1 Royal Bond Novice Hurdle@LeopardstownRC | @Michael_OSull pic.twitter.com/w7cxNwxYph

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) December 27, 2023

“I don’t think he made a mistake” admitted Barry Connell. “He was very efficient, he just popped and popped, he never had to ask him for one. So, back here for the Irish Arkle and on to the Arkle.

“We’re thrilled to have him back. He’s the horse of a lifetime, he really is the horse of a lifetime, and I’m just blessed that he came into out yard.

“They’re one in ten thousand these horses. You only get one in a lifetime if you’re lucky. The big yards maybe get 10 a lifetime. This horse is exceptional – we’re only a custodian of him. Hopefully he can go on unbeaten during the season. All the good horses get beaten … anything can happen. It’s a massive relief.”

“He was foot-perfect everywhere.”@Michael_OSull on ‘class horse’ Marine Nationale following his chasing debut at @LeopardstownRC pic.twitter.com/7EchTln1aY

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) December 27, 2023

Last season’s Grade 1 Royal Bond winner, Marine Nationale, is now six wins from six in his career to date.

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The 2023 Cheltenham Festival winner will make his eagerly awaited return to action in the Grade One on Tuesday next, a race he won by 17 lengths from now-retired stablemate Epatante twelve months ago.

Henderson has originally planned to run the Michael Buckley-owned gelding in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle but weather forced its cancellation at Newcastle.

The Seven Barrows handler then aimed his stable star at the rescheduled Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Sandown, but he was declared a non-runner due to ground concerns.

Speaking about the six-year-old son of Rathbarry Stud’s Blue Bresil, Henderson said:

“He was ready for Newcastle, and he is ready for Kempton. He is big, well and strong. He came in looking very well. At one stage I was a bit behind as he was so big. He took a bit longer to get the shape back into him, but that is long gone.

“He has had to do a bit more work as it is all very easy to him. His schooling is unbelievable. 

“We have got to get out there and he has got to go through the motions. He has got to be as good as he ever was at Kempton, then we can look forward.”

No to Leopardstown and Punchestown

Looking at prospective races for the rest of the NH season for Constitution Hill, Henderson said:

“Constitution Hill could go to Kempton, Cheltenham, for the Unibet International Hurdle which they have stuck in on Festival Trials Day, then Cheltenham and Aintree. 

“I would be tempted with Ireland (at the Punchestown Festival) but you have to be careful of the ground at that time of the year.

“He won’t go to Ireland (for the Dublin Racing Festival), definitely not, but I won’t look forward until Kempton is over.”

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Origin of the race

The King George VI Chase has its origins in the Manor Selling Chase, a three-mile contest staged at Kempton Park in February. The course executive had planned to honour the incoming British monarch, Edward VIII, with a new feature contest run in his honour. Edward VIII ascended the throne in January 1936 but in December of the same year he abdicated in order to marry Mrs Wallis Simpson.

To celebrate the accession to the throne of King George VI, Edward VIII’s brother and grandfather of King Charles III, the Manor Selling Chase became the King George VI Chase at the February meeting of 1937. The King George VI Chases of 1937 and 1938 were relatively modest contests and from 1939 to 1945 there was no racing at Kempton Park while it was used as a POW camp during World War II.

Increasing stature of the race

On the resumption of racing in 1946, the King George VI Chase was transferred to become the highlight of the Boxing Day programme. The move proved highly successful with large crowds and the race’s stature improved beyond recognition.

Staged over three miles, the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase is the mid-season highlight in the three-mile chase category and is a Grade One contest. It forms the second leg of The Jockey Club Chase Triple Crown, sandwiched between the Betfair Chase at Haydock Park in November and the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup in March. 

Multiple Winners of the King George VI Chase

5 WINS

Kauto Star (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011)

4 WINS

Desert Orchid (1986, 1988, 1989, 1990)

3 WINS

Wayward Lad (1982, 1984, 1985)

2 WINS

Captain Christy (1974, 1975)

Clan des Obeaux (2018, 2019)

Kicking King (2004, 2005)

Long Run (2010, 2012)

Mandarin (1957, 1959)

One Man (1995, 1996)

Pendil (1972, 1973)

See More Business (1997, 1999)

Silver Buck (1979, 1980)

Silviniaco Conti (2013, 2014)

Most Successful Jockey in King George VI Chase

Ruby Walsh is the most successful jockey with five wins, which were all achieved on Kauto Star (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011).

Harry Cobden is the only current jockey to have been successful more than once, riding Clan des Obeaux (2018) and Bravemansgame (2022) to victory.

Leading King George VI Trainer 

Paul Nicholls is the most successful trainer with a remarkable 13 victories – See More Business (1997, 1999), Kauto Star (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011), Silviniaco Conti (2013, 2014), Clan Des Obeaux (2018, 2019), Frodon (2020) and Bravemansgame (2022).

Irish-trained winners

Irish-trained horses have won the race eight times with the first victory coming with Cottage Rake in 1948.

Horses trained in Ireland hold the distinction of having the short-priced winner of the race [Arkle at 1/7f in 1965] and the longest priced winner of the Grade 1 contest, with Tornado Flyer winning at 28/1 in 2021.

Cottage Rake (1948), Arkle (1965), Captain Christy (1974, 1975), Florida Pearl (2001), Kicking King (2004, 2005), Tornado Flyer (2021).

The oldest winners are 11 year olds Desert Orchid (1990), Edredon Bleu (2003) and Kauto Star (2011), while the youngest horse to succeed is five year old Manicou (1950).

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Action will get underway at 12.45pm with the final race going to post at 3.40pm.

The six-race card will feature three Grade 1 contests: Ladbrokes Kauto Star Novices’ Chase (1.20pm), Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle (1.55pm) and the day’s feature the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase at 2.30pm.

12:45pm Ladbrokes Boost Your Odds On Racing Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase 2m 4f 110y

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Two Irish superstars clash for the first time in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes in AScot this Saturday

Paddington and Tahiyra have dominated the mile division this year, winning four Group 1s each. But they have never met on the track, until now. On Saturday, they will face each other in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, the highlight of QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot.  This is a race that every racing fan has been waiting for. A clash of two titans, both at the peak of their powers. Who will emerge victorious in this epic duel?

Is Tahiyra ready to shine on any ground

Tahiyra, the fun-loving filly trained by Dermot Weld, has been sensational this season. She won the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot in June, beating some of the best fillies in Europe. She then followed up with a stunning victory in the Matron Stakes at Leopardstown in September, beating her older rivals with ease.  Weld is confident that his star miler is in the form of her life, but he has one concern: the ground. He told Racing Post that he would prefer the ground to be no softer than yielding to soft, as Tahiyra loves to bounce off the top of the ground.  However, he also said that he is looking forward to Saturday and that Tahiyra is in super order. He praised her pace and versatility, saying that she can handle any distance from six furlongs to a mile and a quarter.

Paddington bids farewell to racing in the UK

Paddington, the brilliant colt trained by Aidan O’Brien, has been equally impressive this year. He won the Irish 2,000 Guineas and the St James’s Palace Stakes on soft ground, showing his toughness and stamina. He then proved his class and speed by winning the Sussex Stakes on good ground, beating some of the best milers in the world.  O’Brien revealed that Paddington may be running his last race in the UK on Saturday, as he is likely to retire to stud next year. He told At the Races that Paddington is a very valuable horse and that he goes like a miler, even though he can win over longer distances.  O’Brien also said that he expects a very strong and competitive race on Saturday, but that he is looking forward to it. He described Paddington as a strong horse who quickens very well.

PREDICTIONS –  Paddington  8/11 or an each-way alternative… Angel Bleu did manage to claim a timely victory on his most recent run at Goodwood in August, where Beckett’s four-year-old comfortably saw off two talented three-year-olds in Knight and Charyn to strike in the Celebration Mile. 20/1 Angel Bleu Each Way2

Other Irish contenders on Champions Day

Paddington and Tahiyra are not the only Irish horses who will be competing on Champions Day. O’Brien has a strong team of runners, including Point Lonsdale 40/1 in the Champion Stakes, Broome 33/1 and Kyprios 5/4 in the Long Distance Cup, and Jackie Oh 7/2 and Red Riding Hood 80/1 in the Fillies and Mares Stakes.  Other Irish trainers who will be represented on Saturday include Willie Mullins, who has Stratum 66/1 in the Long Distance Cup, Joseph O’Brien, who has Above The Curve 9/1  in the Champion Stakes, Henry de Bromhead, who has Term of Endearment 10/1 in the Champion Stakes, and Jessica Harrington, who has Ocean Quest 25/1 in the Sprint Stakes.  The final race of the day, the Balmoral Handicap, will see Weld’s Coeur d’Or 12/1  fly the Irish flag in a competitive field.

Don’t miss this historic day of racing

QIPCO British Champions Day is one of the most prestigious and exciting days of racing in the world. It features six top-class races, with some of the best horses and jockeys in action.  But the race that everyone is talking about is the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, where Paddington and Tahiyra will finally meet for the first time. This is a race that could decide who is the best miler in Europe, if not the world.

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