HAPPY Boxing Day to you and yours!
I had a great day yesterday — I rode out bright and early at Ditcheat and then hopped in the car back home to Devon.
Can Frost and Frodon do it in again in the King George?
I took Black Corton out for a spin in the woods while my mum cooked Christmas dinner and spent the evening with my feet up by the fire.
I’m lucky that I don’t have to watch my weight too much so I was able to fill my boots with good food — it doesn’t get much better than that!
But, as with everyone in racing, the day I’ve really been looking forward to is Boxing Day.
It’s been a stressful few weeks getting myself back from injury in time to ride at Kempton.
Thankfully I’ve made it as it’s going to be an epic day of racing and it goes without saying I’m looking forward to getting on my old pal Frodon in the King George.
He gave me one of my greatest days in the saddle when winning the race back in 2020.
He is a couple years older and wiser – not that you’d know it if you saw him bucking and squealing on the gallops — but he still has tons of ability.
He is in great form and we were all pleased with how he ran when he was third in the Betfair, seeing as it came a few weeks after Wincanton.
We know he likes it around Kempton and looking at the weather the ground shouldn’t be much worse than Good to Soft, which is a plus.
It’s the King George so it was always going to be a tough race, but it looks especially deep this year.
Paul has a couple of other topclass runners in Bravemansgame an Hitman, while you have to respect L’Homme Presse and Envoi Allen.
But Frode has never let me down and hopefully we can have another memorable Christmas together in front of a packed house at Kempton.
I also ride Gelino Bello in the Kauto Star and I’m really looking forward to him.
He is 2-2 over fences, stays well and he likes going right-handed, so I’m hoping for a big run.
As always, stay safe and keep kicking!
Did you miss our previous article…
https://www.sportingexcitement.com/horse-racing/its-tragic-controversial-trainer-shaun-keightley-dies-aged-62-as-tributes-pour-in/
