Thursday – Kempton 13:20
WHITE RHINO
Just how good is this horse? We are about to find out. After achieving a 49-pound hike in the handicap ratings last season he now finds himself in a Grade One, on one of the biggest cards of the season. He fully deserves his place having won his two starts over fences this season. This race produces top novices, with last year’s winner Il Est Francais now near the front of the King George market. If White Rhino is that good, it will just add more fairy dust to his unbelievable story and will put him firmly in the conversation for one of the top novice chases at the Festival.
Thursday – Kempton 14:20
ENVOI ALLEN
The fact that eleven have declared for the Boxing Day showpiece (the highest number for fifteen years) is testament to this year’s renewal looking wide open. There have been positive market moves this week for long time ante post favourite Il Est Francais, but it is supplemented Spillane’s Tower that now heads the market.
We’ll opt for one of the other Irish Raiders though in the shape of Envoi Allen. Ultra consistent over the last two seasons, he beat last year’s King George winner Hewick last month at Down Royal. Despite that being his sole win since his gutsy Ryanair victory at the 2023 festival, his form reads as a who’s who of elite staying chasers he’s followed home over the last 18 months. Jonbon, Protektorat, Gerri Colombe, FastOrSlow. None of these superstars line up on Thursday and if Henry De Bromhead has him near his best, he’s a nice Each Way Price.