Clan and Minella head ten King George entries Clan Des Obeaux and Minella Indo share favouritism as ten horses were confirmed at the latest entry stage for the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase at Kempton. The Paul Nicholls-trained Clan Des Obeaux landed back-to-back runnings of the St Stephen's Day showpiece in 2018 and 2019, but could finish only third behind front-running stablemate Frodon and Bryony Frost 12 months ago. Clan Des Obeaux is joint favourite at 11/4 with Paddy Power and bet365 to wrestle back the crown on what will be his seasonal reappearance, while Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Minella Indo has the benefit of a run this term having filled third spot behind Frodon in the Ladbrokes Champion Chase at Down Royal Saint Calvados is a third runner for Nicholls as the Ditcheat handler bids to add to his record haul of 12 King George victories. It is 20 years since Willie Mullins saddled the popular Florida Pearl to claim King George glory and Ireland’s perennial champion trainer looks set to launch a twin assault. Asterion Forlonge appears the stable’s number one hope, having looked set to play a major part in the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase earlier in the month before unseating his rider three fences from home. He is likely to be joined by Tornado Flyer, who finished fifth in the John Durkan. Nicky Henderson is represented by Mister Fisher and Chantry House, with the latter a leading contender after readily accounting for his solitary rival on his seasonal debut at Sandown. The Colin Tizzard-trained Lostintranslation has disappointed in the King George twice before, but connections will have taken heart from his return to form when winning at Ascot last month. Jeremy Scott’s stable star Dashel Drasher completes the potential line-up. Paddy Power bet: 11/4 Minella Indo, Clan des Obeaux, 4/1 Frodon, 9/2 Asterion Forlonge, 5/1 Chantry House, 9/1 Lostintranslation, 14/1 Saint Calvados, 33/1 Tornado Flyer, 40/1 Mister Fisher, 66/1 Dashel Drasher.
