King George VI Chase: Fox Norton replaces Sizing John for Colin Tizzard
FOX NORTON will step off the subs' bench and replace Sizing John in the 32Red King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.
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Colin Tizzard, the trainer of Fox Norton, will be three-handed in the Christmas Grade One as he also plans to run Cue Card and Thistlecrack, both past winners of the race.
Jessica Harrington, the trainer of Sizing John and winner of last season’s Cheltenham Gold Cup, feels the race will come too soon after his winning return last Sunday at Punchestown.
“It was always the wish of the late Alan Potts (whose colours Sizing John and Fox Norton carry) to keep the two horses apart,” said Joe Tizzard, assistant to his father.
“We spoke to Jessie and things have now changed. If you throw enough mud, hopefully something will stick!
“Fox Norton took his race well at Sandown on Saturday. Thistlecrack (winner of last year’s King George) has pleased us since his run at Newbury.
“I thought he was fit that day but he was not. He now looks a lot tighter and I’m sure you will see a much better performance at Kempton.”
Thistlecrack is 11-2 with sponsors. Might Bite heads the market at 6-4. Bristol De Mai is 4-1 and Cue Card is a 33-1 shot.
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Cue Card, winner of the 2015 King George, appears to be on the decline but his former rider Paddy Brennan remains faithful.
When asked as to what he would like to ride in the race, he had no hesitation -nominating Cue Card.
Nigel Twiston-Davies, who has had Sprinter Sacre in his care since he retired, was in a mischievous mood when he told Nicky Henderson, who had trained the gelding, that he would be supplementing him for the King George.
Henderson hit back and said: “He would not get the trip!”
Henderson, hoping to win a third King George with Might Bite, reports his runner in top form. However he is concerned about the ground coming up soft.
“Nigel’s horse (Bristol De Mai) has a secret weapon. Unlike most of the others, he goes on testing ground. Mine is much better on better going.”
Twiston-Davies is looking forward to the race and does not visualise any problems with the track or the ground.
Bristol De Mai, who won the Betfair Chase at Haydock last month, will pick up a £1million bonus if he wins both the King George and Cheltenham Gold Cup – the second and third legs of the treble.
“We’re blinkered on the bonus – it’s very exciting,” said Twiston-Davies.
“He’s won on heavy going but he moves like a good ground horse. He has plenty of speed and I don’t see Kempton being a problem.”
