McCoy bids to loosen Doumen`s stranglehold

Man-of-the-moment Tony McCoy seeks to upset the King George VI Chase stranglehold of French trainer Francois Doumen at Kempton Park on Wednesday.

Doumen has won the mid-winter jumping highlight five times since 1987, most recently last year with First Gold.

First Gold is the 11-8 favourite to make it a double but McCoy, fresh from a thrilling five-timer at Ascot on Saturday, partners 9-4 second favourite Best Mate with high hopes of keeping the spoils at home.

First Gold disappointed recently in a warm-up race at Newbury over hurdles when finishing only third, but looks sure to do better back over the bigger obstacles. With trainer`s son Thierry Doumen on board he is bound to take all the beating.

Best Mate has been hailed as one of the country`s most exciting jumps prospects and lost no marks in defeat by Wahiba Sands under a massive weight in a big handicap race at Ascot on his last outing.

McCoy takes the ride for trainer Henrietta Knight and provided the horse can last a fast-run three miles he seems certain to offer the favourite a stern test.

Bacchanal, the 7-2 third favourite, seeks to hand top trainer Nicky Henderson his first success in the King George and comes to the race in winning form after capturing a big race at Sandown for potential future stars.

If he jumps as well again, the seven-year-old could upset the top two.

The evergreen Florida Pearl, second behind First Gold last year, travels from Ireland again and is rated a 10-1 chance in the eight-strong field. But Bellator, third last year, is a 50-1 outsider.

Latest betting: 11-8 First Gold, 9-4 Best Mate, 7-2 Bacchanal, 10-1 Florida Pearl, 11-1 Legal Right, 20-1 Fadalko, 50-1 Bellator, Go Ballistic.