Voy Por Ustedes to prove stamina for King George test December 26th, 2008
A high cruising speed and good jumping technique are essential over fences around Kempton Park and Voy Por Ustedes, who is a proven top-class performer over shorter, can successfully step up in distance to land the Stan James King George VI Chase (2,40) there today.
The history of this race is littered with winners who were previously thought to be better over shorter, from Desert Orchid and One Man in the Eighties and Nineties to, more recently, Edredon Bleu (2003) and Kicking King (2004). Voy Por Ustedes looks just the type to follow in their hoofprints.
Although well established in the highest grade over two miles – he won the Arkle Trophy at the Cheltenham Festival in 2006 and the Champion Chase last year – he was no match for the outstanding Master Minded when trying to defend his crown in March. However, he relished a step up to two-and-a-half miles when turning that form around at Aintree in no uncertain terms with an 18-length victory.
Voy Por Ustedes shaped really well over the same course and distance on his reappearance back in October, finishing an honourable fourth to Knowhere under top weight having looked a big threat until making an uncharacteristic mistake two out. He should be sharper with that run under his belt and, a winner on both previous starts at this track, he looks a value bet at 7-2 with William Hill.
Kauto Star has won this for the past two years, but has not looked at his best since suffering a crushing defeat by Denman in the Gold Cup in March. He was challenging when unseating his rider at the last in the Betfair Chase at Haydock last time, but was far from certain to have beaten Snoopy Loopy. Having said that, Kauto Star made hard work of beating Exotic Dancer in the same race a year ago before recording a most impressive win here, so it would be foolish to write him off.
Our Vic, runner-up 12 months ago, has won both starts since being fitted with blinkers, most notably when leading on the line to beat Kauto Star by a nose at Aintree in April. He again holds strong place claims, but should not quite be good enough to win.
Air Force One and Imperial Commander are both on the up, particularly the latter, who impressed when beating Barbers Shop in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham in October. However, both have plenty to find if they are to challenge the more established performers.
Nicky Henderson dominated the hurdle races at Ascot on Saturday and his Punjabi will be a warm order in the Stan James Christmas Hurdle (2.05). However, he may not cope with the progressive Snap Tie. An excellent third behind Captain Cee Bee and Binocular in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham in March, he improved again to beat Katchit in good style over this course and distance in October. This progressive gelding can put himself firmly in the Champion Hurdle picture by landing a first success in the highest grade.
Henderson may have better luck earlier on the card with The Market Man in the Nigel Clark Feltham Novices’ Chase (1.30). He has had more than his fair share of injuries, but is a class act when fully fit and looked as though he retains all of his ability when easily beating Kicks For Free at Newbury last month. This half-mile longer trip should see him in an even better light and he can prove too strong for Breedsbreeze.
Tidal Bay bypasses the King George in favour of the skybet.com Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase (1.45) at Wetherby. He has yet to prove his stamina, however, and may struggle to concede a stone to State Of Play. The latter beat Ollie Magern here on his reappearance and remains fairly weighted off just a 7lb higher mark than when landing the 2006 Hennessy.