Paul Nicholls: My other Boxing Day runners at Kempton

It's not just about the big names in the King George at Kempton on Boxing Day, says Paul Nicholls as he discusses the other runners that could provide seasonal cheer...

12:50 Kempton
Plenty Pocket
Was a smart middle distance winner on the Flat in France, and was bought by the Timeform Betfair Racing Club and Clive Smith. To be perfectly honest, his two runs last season were a bit of an embarrassment - he flopped on his hurdling debut at Ascot and then ran poorly in a Flat charity race at Aintree in April - but they were simply too bad to be true. We gave him a breathing operation in the summer and he came out and showed his true worth when easily beating subsequent winner Zama Zama over this course and distance. We raised him in class next time and, although running a shade too free, he ran an excellent race when a five length third to Molotof, and that one didn't do the form too much harm when winning a Grade 2 at Ascot next time. I think this horse will come into his own when he gets a strongly-run race but he is progressive, he's in cracking order and this Flat track suits him well. The drier the better for him. He faces some useful rivals here in Agent Archie (the form of whose Ludlow win was franked this week) and Tetlami (who beat a horse of mine, Black Thunder, at Sandown) but I think he should go very close. At the moment, on home form, Plenty Pocket would be in front of Black Thunder.

13:25 Kempton
Thatlldoboy
Considering he was beaten 14 lengths off a mark of 107 at Chepstow in October, I think it is fair to say that this horse has surprised me since. He now races off an 18lb higher mark than at Chepstow, but it is justified as he won nicely at Wincanton and Newbury and ran another excellent race in defeat when three-quarters-of-a-length second to Night Alliance. Blinkers have been the making of him and let's hope that he can continue to improve and, as a five-year-old with only four chases under his belt (although he won a point last year), it is fair to assume that he may; 2m4f on a Flat track should be ideal. Ryan Mahon continues his association with him.

14:00 Kempton
Silviniaco Conti
Was talked of in terms of a Champion Hurdle horse at one stage last season after beating Karabak by seven lengths at Ascot but in my eyes he was never a real 2m contender, notwithstanding the fact that he failed by only five lengths to give Menorah 4lb in the International. I have always seen this horse in terms of a staying chaser. We were very open and told everyone that he was nowhere near ready first time up against Cue Card at Chepstow, so that run there delighted me, and he duly showed the benefit of that outing and experience when winning by 25 lengths at Wincanton last time. I think the step up to 3m will suit him, as well as this flat and right-handed track, and I genuinely believe he has a massive chance. I know exactly what I am saying there, as I respect all his five rivals here and this is as hot a Feltham as you will see. Grands Crus was clearly a top class staying hurdler who has taken to fences really well but we know what we are up against if his two length defeat of our Sonofvic (admittedly getting 7lb) is any guide, and Bobs Worth should be suited by this longer trip after beating Cue Card by a short head over 2m4f at Newbury. But he was getting 7lb here. I wouldn't underestimate the likes of Teaforthree or Emmaslegend either. But I am confident our horse will run a big race here if he jumps as well as he did at Wincanton. So much so that I have had a little bet on him at 5s; hopefully he will help pay for the Christmas presents!

14:35 Kempton
Rock On Ruby
His training is supervised by Harry Fry at our satellite yard, and he has done a superb job with him. To be honest, 2m round here will not play to his strengths and he faces by far his biggest test to date. But he has surprised us time after time, and it is interesting to see that he has only 3lb and 1lb to find with a peak-form Overturn and Binocular on Timeform ratings, with the prospect of further improvement to come. No doubt he is rated so highly by them after Raya Star, who he beat ten-and-half lengths, giving 13lb at Newbury, franked the form at Ascot on Saturday. He clearly was very impressive that day and that victory showed that he has the pace to shine at 2m, even though he was just touched off over 2m5f at the Festival in March (plenty of horses have done similarly, with Istabraq being the obvious example). I was very glad to see that Donald had entered Overturn in the race as that should, in theory, ensure a decent pace. We will know where we stand after this race, but we go into the race as the improver.

Sanctuaire
Will be finishing last of five here if you believe the official ratings, and there is always the possibility that a small field will bring out the worst in him. But he is a very hard horse to place and let us hope that he can pick up some crumbs, as Five Dream is doing so successfully in Big Buck's races. I am convinced this horse has the raw talent to win one of these good races when things fall his way and he didn't run too badly when fifth in the International last time, travelling with his usual power until emptying between the last two. From what we know though, he is fighting for fourth place prize money.

15:10 Kempton
Kauto Star and Master Minded - see main stories

15:40 Kempton
Like Minded
Course and distance winner as a 5yo, when he went on to finish an excellent second in a Grade 2 at Sandown. On that kind of form he is very well-handicapped off 129 but he has obviously not shown that level of form since, often travelling really well in his races and finding little. We gave him a breathing operation in the summer but he was one of those horses who needed their first start after that, so I was happy enough with his reappearance run. He will go chasing after this, but he is a lot sharper for that comeback run and conditions looks ideal for him. I give him a great each way chance, but Knight Pass does look rather well treated off 125!

* * *

Betfair also has two great promotions to help you get more out of your festive betting:

Prize Draw: Be in the draw for Betfair's Christmas Giveaway Bonanza, just bet and you're in! Top prize is a 10% share in a horse of your choice from the club. Lots of great runners up prizes including Race Day Hospitality, invited to Betfair's private VIP Cheltenham Preview and much more.

Multiple: Get up to 10% boost on your Multiples winnings or 10% back on your losses over the holiday period. Opt in now and we'll boost you no matter if you win or lose!

Paul Nicholls / 26 Dec 2011