By Nick Seddon
Joe Tizzard believes Eldorado Allen has a “serious each-way chance” in next month’s Ladbrokes King George VI Chase at Kempton Park, after 13 stood their ground for the Grade One contest at the latest entry stage (Tuesday 29th November).
The eight year old has flourished over three miles so far this term, producing two stellar efforts to place in both the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby and when finishing closest to leading Cheltenham Gold Cup hope Protektorat in the Grade One Betfair Chase at Haydock Park earlier this month.
Protektorat is one of the 13 who remain engaged at the latest entry stage this afternoon for the Boxing Day showpiece, with other possible contenders including impressive last time out winners Hitman, L’Homme Presse and Envoi Allen, as well as the Charlie Hall winner Bravemansgame. His stablemate and the 2020 winner Frodon also stands his ground, though last year’s hero Tornado Flyer has been scratched.
Eldorado Allen has been installed as a 20/1 chance for the race with sponsors Ladbrokes and Tizzard believes the price offers plenty of value. He said: “He’s come out of Haydock really well. He ran a really nice race up there and we’re chuffed to bits with him.
“He’s produced two lovely runs so far this season and what he’s shown me is that he gets the trip really well now and both times he’s galloped through the line. I think those two runs were right up there with his best ever which means he’s capable of having serious each-way chances in these kinds of races.
“We’ve given him the option of Kempton and we won’t make a full decision until right up to the day, but he seems really well and we’re keeping an eye on it.
“His run in the Betfair Chase looked the better run of the two to me than the one at Wetherby, so he’s taken a step forward there. I don’t know how much improvement is left in him, but if he gets into a nice rhythm he’s a threat. Now we know he goes through the line nicely we can get more and more aggressive with him riding wise and see how we get on.”
This is Tizzard’s first season with the licence in his name after taking over from father Colin back in May and the King George is a race he has enjoyed plenty of success in the race as his dad’s assistant, twice winning it with Cue Card (2015) and Thistlecrack (2016).
He continued: “We’ve had a really nice time in the race over the years and we’re trying to have horses to run in the top races. It’s lovely that we’ve got a horse who’s good enough and will have a good chance in it.
“It’s been a lovely start to the season for us. We had a cracking summer and the winter horses are going well. We’ve just got to keep it up now, it’s still early days so we just want to keep the horses happy and healthy and running well.”
Entries for the Grade One Ladbrokes King George VI Chase 3m
Ahoy Senor (IRE) 7 11 10 Lucinda Russell Mrs C Wymer & Mr PJS Russell
Bravemansgame (FR) 7 11 10 Paul Nicholls John Dance and Bryan Drew
Eldorado Allen (FR) 8 11 10 Joe Tizzard J P Romans & Terry Warner
Envoi Allen (FR) 8 11 10 Henry de Bromhead Ireland Cheveley Park Stud
Frodon (FR) 10 11 10 Paul Nicholls Mr P.J. Vogt
Hitman (FR) 6 11 10 Paul Nicholls Mason, Hogarth, Ferguson & Done
L’Homme Presse (FR) 7 11 10 Venetia Williams DFA Racing (Pink & Edwards)
Millers Bank 8 11 10 Alex Hales Millers Bank Partnership
Noble Yeats (IRE) 7 11 10 Emmet Mullins Ireland Mr Robert Waley-Cohen
Pic D’orhy (FR) 7 11 10 Paul Nicholls Mrs Johnny de la Hey
Protektorat (FR) 7 11 10 Dan Skelton Sir A Ferguson G Mason J Hales & L Hales
Red Happy (FR) 5 11 10 David Pipe Judith Wilson
Royale Pagaille (FR) 8 11 10 Venetia Williams Mrs S. Ricci
