IL EST FRANCAIS (2:30) can turn on the style in another red-hot King George VI Chase at Kempton. Gallic handlers used to dominate this Grade 1 and Team Zetterholm’s horse can revive that tradition. A top-class hurdler, the six-year-old took to fences magnificently with back-to back routs at Auteuil. Those victories led to the trainers’ targeting the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase over course and distance. That was a smart move as the bay totally dominated the race, slamming Hermes Allen by 11 lengths. The gelding was then kept away from the Cheltenham Festival in favour of a Grade 2 back at Auteuil. However, he showed his first signs of weakness when last of five behind Youtwo Glass in Paris. All seemed well when the star bolted-up from Toscana Du Berlais on his return at the same venue. He was soon back under scrutiny when pulled-up in the Prix Haye Jousselin back there last month. This historic race has always been the real target so the bold-jumper can silence his critics in style.
EL RIO (12:45) can get the party started in the trappy Ladbrokes Novices’ Handicap Chase. Kim Bailey’s horse lost his way over after a reasonably promising start to his career over hurdles. He didn’t look a natural over fences when pulled-up on his first run in that sphere at Huntingdon. Given time to develop, the bay jumped much better when hacking-up from Maninsane back there. The gelding was even slicker at his fences when powering home from Passing Well at Sandown. There is plenty more to come from this likeable type who can defy a 6lb hike for his shrewd yard.
HYLAND (1:20) can rise to the challenge for Nicky Henderson in the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase. The useful staying hurdler comfortably defeated Mahons Glory on his fencing bow at Southwell. He then lacked the necessary speed when only fourth Riskintheground over 2m 4f at Uttoxeter. The grey got back on track by showing Transmission no mercy over three miles at Cheltenham. He raised his game again when cosily denying Resplendent Grey in Listed company back there. The gelding’s front-running style is tailor-made for this race so he can deny some exciting foes.
LOSSIEMOUTH (1:55) can blitz her rivals for Willie Mullins in the Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle. The star opened her Grade 1 account by slamming Gala Marceau in the Triumph at Cheltenham. She stayed upwardly mobile at the top level by brushing aside Zarak The Brave at Punchestown.
The grey was even better when effortlessly defeating Love Envoi on her return to Cheltenham. She made short work of Telmesomethinggirl on her first try over 2m 4f in the Mares’ Hurdle there. The mare improved again over that trip when hosing-up in another warm Grade 1 at Punchestown She looked the finest hurdler around when thrashing Teahupoo in the Morgiana at the same venue. The five-year-old has potent speed so she can see off the mighty Constitution Hill back down in trip.
JUBILEE ALPHA (3:05) can reign supreme for Paul Nicholls in the Ladbrokes Maiden Hurdle. The mare looked smart when crushing I’ve Madeupmymind on her bumper debut at Wetherby. She confirmed that impression when finding only Diva Luna in the Grade 2 Nickle Coin at Aintree. The bay was pitched into the deep end on her timber bow in warm Newbury Listed event. She duly ran a blinder when overcoming a tricky passage to finish third to Listentoyourheart . The five-year-old learned plenty so she can put that run to good use in these calmer waters.
SAMUEL SPADE (3:40) can crack the case for Ben Pauling in the Ladbucks Handicap Hurdle. The five-year-old was in fine fettle season term with good wins at Taunton and Huntingdon.
He then looked over the top when well-beaten behind Doyen Quest at Cheltenham in April. The gelding hit back with a decent third to Act Of Authority on his comeback at Sandown. He built on that effort when giving Rightsotom most resistance at Doncaster last time out. That race is working out well so the bay can continue his yard’s winning run off a nice mark.
CELTIC DINO (1:05) can give Sam Thomas more glory in the Formby Novice Hurdle at Aintree. The gelding went into plenty of notebooks when third to Let It Rain in a Listed bumper at Ascot. He improved again when decisively defeating the talented Jackpot Des Bordes at Wincanton. Those efforts saw the five-year-old sent-off a 2-5 favourite ahead of his timber bow back there. He duly landed the odds with a hugely impressive 14 length defeat of the exciting Ma Shantou . The son of Doctor Dino raised his game again when putting Wade Out to the sword at Ascot. The Welsh raider looks top-class so he can fully justify this swift promotion to Grade 1 level.
CRUZ CONTROL (2:07) can take charge for Tom Lacey in the Rowland Meyrick Chase at Wetherby. The seven-year-old wasn’t disgraced in several outings over 2m 4f early in his career over fences He didn’t quite stay four miles when a decent fifth behind Anglers Crag in the Eider at Newcastle. The bay showed that three miles was more suitable when comfortably denying Jet Legs back there. He took his form to a whole new level bolting-up from Sam Brown in the Freebooter at Aintree. The gelding put in another fine shift when an unlucky fourth to Minella Crooner at Punchestown. The strong-traveller should still be improving and will be fit after a warm-up over hurdles at Aintree.
KEMPTON
12:45 EL RIO
1:20 HYLAND
1:55 LOSSIEMOUTH
2:30 ILL EST FRANCAIS (NAP)
3:05 JUBILEE ALPHA
3:40 SAMUEL SPADE
GARRY’S DOUBLE: ILL EST FRANCAIS (NAP) AND HYLAND
AINTREE
11:55 CRYSTAL GLANCE
12:30 WESTERNINTHEPARK
1:05 CELTIC DINO
1:40 ACT OF AUTHORITY
2:15 IKARAK
2:50 DOYEN DU BAR
3:25 SWINDON VILLAGE
WETHERBY
11:52 JUST CALL ME LUCY
12:27 CELESTIAL FASHION
1:00 MARLACOO
1:35 CRUZ CONTROL
2:10 GLORY AND HONOUR
2:45 EIRE STREET
3:20 DOUBLE OBAN
FONTWELL
11:57 MOTAZZEN
12:32 KALIUM
1:07 KOENIGSSTERN
1:42 GALACTIC CHARM
2:17 SPIKE JONES
2:52 CAPTAIN CLAUDE
3:27 EDWARD SEXTON
MARKET RASEN
12:08 WE’LLHAVEWAN
12:40 RONNIES REFLECTION
1:15 DIAMOND KODA
1:47 KELCE
2:22 GALUNGGUNG
2:57 TRAVELING SOLDIER
3:32 HOMME D’UN SOIR
SEDGEFIELD
11:45 SIGN AGAIN
12:20 PADDYS POLICY
12:50 I’M TOO TIRED
1:25 MISS APPLEJACK
2:00 KAPROYALE
2:35 FOSTER’S FORTUNE
3:10 KINGSTON QUEEN
WINCANTON
12:53 JENA D’OUDAIRIES
1:28 ANOTHER DAY OUT
2:03 PASSING WELL
2:38 LONG DRAW
3:13 KING ARISE
3:45 LUMI PLUGIN
WOLVERHAMPTON
1:12 ARLECCHINO’S REX
1:50 NAUGHTY EYES
2:25 PAYMENT PLAN
3:00 KING’S CODE
3:35 PARADOXICAL
4:05 CLAYMORE
4:35 HAT TOSS
5:05 AUTUMN ANGEL
5:40 MATCH ANTHEM