The Nightingale looks sound ante-post King George value
Following the news that Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Imperial Commander will miss the Christmas period steeplechase highlight, the King George VI Chase at Kempton Park on Boxing Day, most racing pundits and those interested in horse racing betting have all but conceded that the mighty Kauto Star only has to turn up to win the race for a remarkable fifth time in a row.
There’s no doubt that the Paul Nicholls-trained superstar will prove very hard to beat on his favourite track, and he certainly looked to have lost none of his zip when winning in fine style on his seasonal return at Down Royal in Northern Ireland last month in Grade 1 company. At Even money, though, there is no great value in supporting the soon to be 11-year-old and my suggestion is that his younger stable companion The Nightingale might well represent the best value in the contest at 50/1 each-way in the horse racing odds
A relatively late starter in the jumping game and consequently having only a few miles on the clock, the Cadoudal gelding won at Kempton in Grade 2 company last year and ran well to be third at the Aintree Festival on a track that didn’t ideally suit him. Reappearing on the same card as Kauto Star at Down Royal, The Nightingale was always travelling strongly in a competitive race and coasted home 11 lengths clear on a tight rein.
Although yet to race at three miles, The Nightingale now gives the impression that he will stay, and being a horse who travels well in his races and being generally a sound jumper, I really believe he could run into the frame or even win, if Kauto Star runs below form.
Set to have a warm-up race at Huntingdon on December 12th (weather permitting) in the valuable Peterborough Chase, a win there would see his odds tumble for Kempton, so an early investment might well prove to be the wisest course of action.
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