Gaelic Warrior and Fact To File rematch? Punchestown stars feature among King George entries
Seconds out, round two! Gaelic Warrior and Fact To File could be in line for a potential quick rematch after their epic battle at Punchestown.
The pair had a stirring tussle in the Grade 1 John Durkan Memorial Chase last Sunday, with just a neck separating them at the end of arguably the race of the season so far, and were both entered for the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase on Tuesday.
Gaelic Warrior, who built up a clear lead at Punchestown then battled back tenaciously when headed late on, is the sponsor’s 6-4 favourite for Kempton with runner-up Fact To File quoted at 6-1.
Nicola McGeady of Ladbrokes said: “This renewal is shaping up to be a proper battle with Sunday’s Punchestown clash between Gaelic Warrior and Fact To File adding even more spice to proceedings.
“Gaelic Warrior’s victory in that race further cemented his position as the one to beat but punters are not underestimating his rivals.”
Grangeclare West is the other chaser that Willie Mullins has entered in a race he won with Florida Pearl in 2001 and Tornado Flyer three years ago. Galopin Des Champs and Grand National winner Nick Rockett were among those the champion trainer engaged initially only to withdraw them before the noon deadline.
There are a total of 20 entries for the Boxing Day showpiece, exactly half of which come from Ireland, including last year’s winner Banbridge for Joseph O’Brien.
The Nicky Henderson-trained Jango Baie is 3-1 second favourite after his impressive Grade 2 victory at Ascot last Saturday and Ben Pauling’s Haydock winner The Jukebox Man is a 5-1 chance, having landed a Grade 1 novice chase at the King George meeting last year.
The Jukebox Man made a winning comeback at Haydock on SaturdayCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)
Ladbrokes King George VI Chase entries
Banbridge Joseph O’Brien
Boombawn Dan Skelton
Croke Park Gordon Elliott
Djelo Venetia Williams
Fact To File Willie Mullins
Fastorslow Martin Brassil
Firefox Gordon Elliott
Found A Fifty Gordon Elliott
Gaelic Warrior Willie Mullins
Grangeclare West Willie Mullins
Heart Wood Henry de Bromhead
Il Est Francais Tom George
Jango Baie Nicky Henderson
Jordans Joseph O’Brien
Kolokico Emmanuel Clayeux
L’Homme Presse Venetia Williams
Master Chewy Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies
Panic Attack Dan Skelton
Riskintheground Dan Skelton
The Jukebox Man Ben Pauling
Ladbrokes: 6-4 Gaelic Warrior, 3 Jango Baie, 5 The Jukebox Man, 6 Fact To File, 14 Banbridge, 16 Fastorslow, 20 bar.
52 in contention for Welsh Grand National
Last year’s runner-up Jubilee Express is the sponsor’s 7-1 favourite after 52 chasers were entered for the Coral Welsh Grand National.
Jubilee Express: Favourite for the Coral Welsh Grand NationalCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)
Irish National winner Haiti Couleurs and the fast-improving Aworkinprogress, who is unbeaten in five chases, are quoted at 8-1.
“Although Jubilee Express has been beaten in his two starts since last year’s Coral Welsh National, he ran a career best to finish second that day, and with his trainer Sam Thomas, in cracking form, the eight-year-old is our early favourite to go one place better this time around,” said Coral spokesman David Stevens.
Coral Welsh Grand National entries
Aworkinprogress Nick Gifford
Beaufort Scale Gordon Elliott
Brave Kingdom Paul Nicholls
Collectors Item Jonjo & AJ O’Neill
De Legislator Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore
Deafening Silence Dan Skelton
Dom Of Mary James Owen
Fairlawn Flyer Mickey Bowen
Git Maker Jamie Snowden
Haiti Couleurs Rebecca Curtis
Henri The Second Paul Nicholls
Herakles Westwood Warren Greatrex
Holokea Mickey Bowen
Hung Jury Martin Keighley
Hyland Nicky Henderson
Imperial Alex Tom Lacey
Inch House Paul Nicholls
Intense Raffles Tom Gibney
Invincible Nao Gary & Josh Moore
Iron Bridge Jonjo & AJ O’Neill
Jubilee Express Sam Thomas
Karuma Grey Debra Hamer
Livin On Luco Philip Hobbs & Johnson White
Makin’yourmindup Paul Nicholls
Marsh Wren Stuart Edmunds
Minella Blueway Evan Williams
Monbeg Genius Jonjo & AJ O’Neill
Monmiral Paul Nicholls
Moon D’Orange John McConnell
Mr Vango Sara Bradstock
My Silver Lining Emma Lavelle
Nassalam Gary & Josh Moore
O’Connell Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith
O’Toole Stuart Crawford
Onethreefivenotout Gordon Elliott
Pats Fancy Rebecca Curtis
Regal Blue Jonjo & AJ O’Neill
Rock My Way Joe Tizzard
Saladins Son Anthony Honeyball
Shomen Uchi Sam Thomas
Stay Away Fay Paul Nicholls
Stellar Story Gordon Elliott
Tanganyika Venetia Williams
The Big Breakaway Syd Hosie
Theonewedreamof Dan Skelton
Tommie Beau Seamus Mullins
Top of The Bill Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies
Uncle Bert Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies
Val Dancer Mel Rowley
Westerninthepark Olly Murphy
Where It All Began Gordon Elliott
Whistle Stop Tour Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore
Coral: 7 Jubilee Express, 8 Aworkinprogress, Haiti Couleurs, 10 Git Maker, Herakles Westwood, Val Dancer, 12 Mr Vango, Nassalam, Rock My Way, Tanganyika, 14 Deafening Silence, Intense Raffles, 16 bar.
Read these next:
‘It was a hell of a race’ – Willie Mullins enjoys special John Durkan as Gaelic Warrior edges Fact To File in dramatic finish
‘The dream is alive’ – Arkle winner Jango Baie cut to 4-1 for King George after slamming rivals in 1965 Chase
The Jukebox Man makes emphatic seasonal bow as Chris Gordon enjoys 462-1 treble on ‘best ever’ day
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