Rachael Blackmore makes big Christmas decision
Rachael Blackmore will be aiming for big race success over the festive period
Rachael Blackmore has unsurprisingly opted to ride Envoi Allen in the King George VI Chase at Kempton Park on St Stephen's Day rather than stay at home and take up a big book of rides at Leopardstown.
The Tipperary jockey has won the majority of the UK's most prestigious races, including the Grand National, Gold Cup, Champion Hurdle and Champion Chase. But she has yet to taste victory in Kempton's December 26 showpiece.
Blackmore will ride Envoi Allen as she aims for her first victory since September having spent the past few months sidelined through injury. The 35-year-old returned to the saddle last week, but has yet to return to the winners enclosure following four rides in the past seven days.
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Envoi Allen impressed when winning the Ladbrokes Champion Chase at Down Royal last month when beating last year's King George winner Hewick by half a length, but he faces a tough challenge against younger rivals at Kempton in what looks a wide open renewal.
Blackmore partnered Envoi Allen to victory in the Ryanair Chase at the 2023 Cheltenham Festival, while Darragh O'Keefe was on board when he scored at Down Royal while the 2021 Grand National-winning jockey was injured.
Six-year-olds Spillane's Tower and Il Est Francais are currently vying for favouritism, while Banbridge and Grey Dawning are also towards the top of the market. Only four of the 13 runners are UK-trained.
Grey Dawning's trainer Dan Skelton is confident this year's Turners Novices' Chase winner can go close in the three-mile contest despite a tough seasonal reappearance in the Betfair Chase last month when beaten two lengths by Royale Pagaille.
The Ladbrokes ambassador said: "Grey Dawning obviously runs in the King George, and I've been amazed with how he came out of the Betfair Chase at Haydock; I thought he'd take a while to get over that, but he's bounced out of it, and he's been in good form since.
"We've schooled him and worked him - Harry [Skelton] is very happy with him jumping, Tom Messenger rides him every day, and is very happy and I think nicer ground here will suit him. He has won at the track before and although this is only his second run outside of novice company he showed an improved performance in the Betfair, even though he got beat.
"Everything points towards him belonging at this level, but it's a hard race to win - we're not going there thinking that we're just going to win it. We feel we've got a great chance, and we're delighted with the way the horse is."
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