Value Scope: Each way horseracing tips from Steve Jones for Boxing Day on ITV
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TUCK into a French fancy in the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase. Il Est Francais returns to Kempton 12 months after his awesome Kauto Star Novices’ Chase display but fellow raider JUNTOS GANAMOS (2.30) looks more of a tasty treat in Kempton’s annual Christmas cracker.
David Cottin’s five-year-old has only been beaten once in eight completed chase starts in France. That defeat came when third behind Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris hero Gran Diose at Auteuil last month. A bad mistake five out cost him his chance and the 3m3f distance was further than ideal.
His form figures suggest his jumping is suspect but it is the big Auteuil hedges he seems to have an issue with. British fences will hold no fears for this imposing French-bred chaser. Kempton will be a tighter track than he’s used to but he should still be able to use his long stride under jockey Felix de Glies. Have 1pt each-way at 20-1. Plenty of bookies are paying out on four places.
The William Hill Rowland Meyrick Chase tops the bill on Wetherby’s traditional Boxing Day card. GOOD BOY BOBBY (1.35) won this prize three years ago but there’s still plenty of life left in Nigel Twiston-Davies’ 11-year-old. He’s a regular in veterans’ chases these days and the form of those races, restricted to horses aged ten or over, should not be underestimated.
The track will certainly be to his liking. He is unbeaten in three chases at Wetherby and he also won a course bumper. Young 7lbs-claiming jockey Jamie Brace is sure to keep it simple in a prominent position and he looks nicely treated returned to an open handicap. Have 1pt each-way at 9-1.
