HORSE RACING - Forget the Cheltenham Gold Cup. The King George VI Chase at Kempton Park on Boxing Day has thrown up more season-best, champion chaser performances in recent year than jumps racing's Blue Riband event in March. The current King of Kempton is Kauto Star, a chaser who has stamped his authority on the staying division in recent times by winning the King George for the past three seasons in imperious fashion. Kauto Star is favourite for the King George again this year, and barring accidents we fully expect him to win once more. However, you would be mad to back a horse ante-post at odds on, no matter how good the horse might be (Kauto Star is currently available to back at a best-priced 4/5). Anything can happen between now and Boxing Day in any case, and anyway, there is each-way value to be had in a race that is likely to cut up and have a single-figure number of runners.Second in the betting is Imperial Commander at a best-priced 6/1. On the face of it, Imperial Commander is a huge price set against Kauto Star, bearing in mind Kauto Star beat Imperial Commander last time only by the narrowest width of a nostril in the Betfair Chase at Haydock. But we believe there are several strong reasons why Imperial Commander's ante-post price for the King George is poor value.
Firstly, that run at Haydock needs to be taken in context. Kauto Star has traditionally always come on for his first run of the year, so if that proves to be the case again Imperial Commander will struggle to get near Kauto Star again this season if Kauto Star runs to his best form
Secondly, Imperial Commander is the type of horse who needs plenty of time to get going, and as such is suited by a galloping track. The galloping Haydock racecourse with its long straight suited him well, and he is a winner at Cheltenham too, but we are not sure the tight turns of Kempton Park will suit him all that well. Indeed, Imperial Commander ran a stinker in the King George last year.
And finally, Imperial Commander may still be rerouted to the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown over the Christmas period according to his trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies, who has said: "If that race looked like a walkover without Denman, then it would be silly not to give it serious consideration."
All in all, it is best to give Imperial Commander a wide berth. Instead we are placing our faith in Madison du Berlais. We tipped Madison du Berlais for the Betfair Chase at Haydock, and while he was beaten in that event we still think he will pick up a big race this season and as such he looks a massive price each-way at odds of 10/1, especially if Imperial Commander does run in the Lexus Chase. On his day Madison du Berlais is one of the best chasers around. He beat Denman over the King George course and distance last season, for example, as well as winning the Totesport Bowl at Aintree. In a race where many have little or no chance of lowering Kauto Star's colours, Madison du Berlais really does look like the only one on form who can get anywhere near him.
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