Ross Millar: Monday tips plus 16-1 Gold Cup fancy

It has been well publicised that the future of the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase at Kempton is far from assured and, on paper beforehand, it looked like one of the deepest renewals for many years. 

Often when this is the case, the actual event fails to deliver. However, this was one of those occasions when the spectacle surpassed even the wildest expectation. Four jumped the last together before charging to the line, with three contenders finishing in unison. The Jukebox Man just edged out last year's winner, Banbridge, with the enigmatic Gaelic Warrior a shade further back in third. What a race.

This was, by someway, a career best from the lightly-raced winner, and all roads now lead to the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup, according to connections. 

The Jukebox Man battled back bravely in the closing stages to win this, so the extra distance, on this evidence, should suit, although I have painful memories of him dramatically tiring late on in the 2024 Albert Bartlett. 

My suspicion is that flat tracks might suit him better. Conversely, the hill at Cheltenham was to Jango Baie’s advantage when winning the Arkle, and he now looks a genuine Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup contender, with a greater stamina test sure to suit. Don’t give up on Gaelic Warrior just yet, though, as I think it’s reasonable to concur he ran below his best here, and that titanic tussle against Fact To File in the John Durkan possibly took the edge off him. The form of the Willie Mullins yard has also not been at the level we’ve become accustomed to. 

On the undercard at Kempton, Sir Gino served up a scintillating display of jumping as he returned from a long layoff with a comfortable victory in the Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle, and his winning margin of six lengths over Golden Ace, who we know is a solid yardstick, is deserving of an upgrade, given how exuberantly he raced in the first mile. 

His future is uncertain. He jumped his hurdles big and clean, serving reminders of his awesome chasing debut at this venue last year. Whether he returns to fences, or remains over hurdles, will likely revolve around plans for his stablemate Constitution Hill, and whether connections can find a way to get him jumping hurdles in better style again. Personally, I’d love to see Sir Gino back over fences, where his aptitude for jumping will magnify his big engine. 

Another who jumped exuberantly was Kitzbuhel. He stirred memories of my childhood watching a fellow grey, Desert Orchid, attacking the Kempton Park fences as he delivered a tremendous display of jumping and galloping to make all the running in the Ladbrokes Kauto Star Novices’ Chase. Of course, Desert Orchid was never quite at his best at Cheltenham, and I wonder whether the same might be true for Kitzbuhel. Yes, his jumping was explosive at times, but he looked less assured when getting in tight, and when facing the undulations of Cheltenham, I think that ability is a prerequisite. 

If Kitzbuhel stirred memories of Dessie, then Haiti Couleurs revived memories of Carvill’s Hill at Chepstow on Saturday as, under a welter burden of 11st 13lb, he galloped his rivals ragged in the Coral Welsh Grand National. In doing so, he confirmed that his first foray into Graded company at Haydock was not the lens through which to judge him. 

A best price of 16-1 for the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup makes real appeal, particularly because both Galopin Des Champs and Inothewayurthinkin looked below form in the Savills Chase at Leopardstown.

Galopin Des Champs can possibly be forgiven as it was his first start of the season, but he didn’t possess the same zip through the early stages, and that was before fitness told on the climb from the last. 

The action continues on Monday, and I have three selections. Best of luck.

Richard Hobson’s gelding looked a handicapper to follow when winning the Rowland Meyrick 12 months ago, but has failed to produce that form again since. 

Both starts this year have been no more than satisfactory but, on each occasion, he has been faced with unfavourably soft ground. This sounder surface should suit him better, and this new rating of 119 is the lowest mark he has raced off since bolting up over this course and distance (off a rating of 115) two years ago. 

Jockey Charlie Maggs knows him well, and is good value for his 5lb claim. 

He wasn’t suited by the slower than described ground when making his seasonal debut over course and distance in the Coral Gold Cup following a 581-day absence. 

The handicapper dropped him 3lb for that effort. meaning he’s only 3lb above his last winning mark now, and 3lb lower than when producing a fine effort to finish runner-up in the 2024 Bet365 Gold Cup. 

His yard continues in good form, and this nicer ground will suit. 

Newton Tornado had jumped well until falling on his chasing debut at Cheltenham before showing no ill effects from that fall when making all to win at Bangor on his next start. 

This drop back in trip should not pose a problem on a more galloping track and, despite an 8lb rise for that Bangor success, I still consider him a well-handicapped performer.