Huge swings in King George market with new favourite and Willie Mullins’ star Allaho slashed for Boxing Day feature
THE King George market has seen some serious swings with a new favourite and a Willie Mullins runner smashed.
Gerri Colombe is the new 9-4 market leader with Coral after Gordon Elliott said a decision on the sublime chaser’s future is imminent.
With it looking like a Boxing Day trip is on the cards, Coral cut him and eased second-fav and defending champ Bravemansgame out to 5-2 from 2-1.
Meanwhile, Mullins said dual Ryanair hero Allaho could also line up.
His odds were subsequently cut into 7-2 from 4-1 on the back of Mullins’ comments and Allaho’s brilliant nine-length win when last seen in a Grade 2 at Clonmel last month after 561 days off.
Coral’s David Stevens said: “After two defeats this season, Bravemansgame is no longer favourite to repeat his 2022 King George win.
“Instead, punters are putting their faith in the Irish challengers, meaning Gerri Colombe is now clear favourite for the race, and Allaho is closing in on last year’s winner at 7-2, having been 11-2 at the start of the day.”
Nicky Henderson’s Shishkin rounds out the top four at 6-1 even though he missed out his intended comeback in the rearranged Fighting Fifth.
However, Sun Racing revealed the former Supreme and Arkle winner recently shone in a secret spin at Kempton.
The Real Whacker, who saw off Gerri Colombe in last March’s Brown Advisory, is 9-1.
While recent Betfair Chase scorer Royale Pagaille is 10-1.
Victory for either Elliott or Mullins would be a real signal of intent after news spread of a proposed BHA rule change.
The sport’s governing body has written to stakeholders to get their views on limiting trainers to running no more than four horses in a big handicap.
Ladbrokes King George VI Chase
9-4 Gerri Colombe
5-2 Bravemansgame
7-2 Allaho
6 Shishkin
9 The Real Whacker
10 Royale Pagaille
20 Pic D’Orhy
25 Galopin Des Champs
33 Hewick
40 Bar