Djelo seeking to bring back memories of Teeton Mill

It seems a long time ago when Venetia Williams won the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase with Teeton Mill, but she is back with another legitimate contender this year in Djelo.

Both Royale Pagaille and L’Homme Presse have run big races in the Christmas highlight in recent seasons for the Herefordshire yard, with the former finishing second in 2022 and the latter third last season. But brilliant grey Teeton Mill in 1998 is still the standard-bearer.

Djelo arrives on the crest of a wave having won the Charlie Hall and Peterborough Chases in two outings this season, a completely different route to Teeton Mill, who won the Badger Beer and Hennessy Gold Cup.

Unfortunately for his connections he will line up in one of the hottest King Georges for many a year, with Grade One winners at every turn.

“It does look a particularly strong King George this year and I don’t imagine come the day there will be much give in the ground, so it will be a big test for Djelo and a real step up from the Grade Twos he has been successful in,” said Williams.

“He’s in good order and we hope he will be competitive and he deserves to be in the field for sure.

“However, it’s a big step up from taking on the horses he’s been competing against in the Grade Twos and there are numerous successful Grade One horses in the race.

“It is a big test and we don’t want to kid ourselves that there are any similarities to what he has been racing against.

“However, he does go there in good form and we just hope he can be competitive.”

The fact Djelo and last year’s first and second, Banbridge and Il Est Francais, are all available at each-way prices shows the strength in depth of the Boxing Day showpiece.

The Willie Mullins pair of Gaelic Warrior and Fact To File, Nicky Henderson’s Jango Baie and Ben Pauling’s The Jukebox Man all stand in Djelo’s way.