Another King George would be special for Henderson

Nicky Henderson is a racing fan as well as a trainer and is thrilled he has a legitimate contender for the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase in the shape of Arkle winner Jango Baie.

Three King Georges have come the way of Seven Barrows – Long Run in 2010 and 2012 followed by Might Bite in 2017 – and Jango Baie has been popular in the ante-post market for Kempton ever since what was an impressive return to action at Ascot.

“It’s what Boxing Day is all about and it’s a classic King George field, anything could win,” said Henderson ahead of what looks to be one of the strongest renewals for quite some time.

“He has been progressive all the way and I hope now that we are going over the right trip.

“He used his two-mile speed to win the race at Ascot and he’s got to be able to do that up the straight at Kempton now.

“His owner is a big character and it would be great for him if he was to run well.”

Ben Pauling’s The Jukebox Man won over the same course and distance a year ago but has only run once since.

“Because of the injury he hasn’t exposed himself. He’s rated 156, but I personally feel he’s a lot better than that,” said Pauling.

“I could have gone to a Coral Gold Cup first time out and I dare say he’d have been very competitive because I think he’s well handicapped, but it was all about the King George for us – the whole season.

“Cheltenham yes, Aintree yes and whatever we go to will be great, but from the moment he won the Kauto Star last year there was one race we were targeting.

“Before the Kauto Star last year, he had sore heels to the point where he was sore even coming out of his box, so to see him put up that sort of performance in that sort of form, I know there’s so much more to come. I know it wasn’t the greatest Kauto Star ever run, but he still won it easily enough not on his A-game.

“His jumping is his biggest forte – he seems to land running. I don’t know personally of a more economical or better jumper than he is when he’s on-song.

“The only chink in his armour as far as I’m concerned is he hasn’t proven himself at this level yet. He looks like he could be, but he hasn’t run in a race of this calibre – not many horses do run in a race of this calibre.

“We’ve prepared horses for lots of big races, but this one is a little bit special.”

Joseph O’Brien is bringing last year’s winner Banbridge over once more, with champion jockey Sean Bowen taking the mount.

“It’s a great renewal of the race and we’re excited to be taking part in it. We’ve been happy with our preparation and we’re looking forward to it,” said O’Brien.

“I think it’s fair to say we would have liked to have had two runs before the King George like last year, but he’s a year older now and things just didn’t work out. However, we’ve been happy with him since the Hilly Way and we’re hoping he’s in similar form to last year.

“The step back up in trip on better ground will suit him and we have put the visor on which we hope will help him focus.

“Sean takes over on him this year and of course he is riding at the top of his game.”