King Turgeon Eyes Cheltenham's Success
King Turgeon is set to continue his impressive campaign in the Sonic The Hedgehog 3 Coming Soon Handicap Chase at Cheltenham.
The six-year-old has already showcased his talent this season, starting with a dominant 10-length victory in a three-and-a-quarter-mile handicap at Chepstow. He followed up with a polished performance in the Grand Sefton at Aintree, where he handled the Grand National fences with ease to secure another comfortable win.
Plans to contest the Becher Chase at Aintree last weekend were derailed by high winds, which forced the abandonment of the meeting. Trainer David Pipe has now redirected King Turgeon to Cheltenham, where he will face a strong field that includes Kim Bailey’s Chianti Classico.
“He’s in great form, he’s at the right end of the weights, and we hope he can run a big race,” said Pipe. “He’ll like the track and the ground. Kim Bailey’s horse is probably the one we’ve all got to beat.”
“He’ll need a career-best to win, but he’s already exceeded expectations this season, and everything else is a bonus. We didn’t even leave for Aintree last Saturday, so he’s full of beans and ready for action.”
Key Contenders
Chianti Classico, trained by Kim Bailey, is also rerouted to Cheltenham after the Becher cancellation. He enters on the back of an impressive three-length victory in the Sodexo Gold Cup Handicap at Ascot on his seasonal debut.
Other notable challengers include The Newest One from Nigel Twiston-Davies’ yard, contesting his third Cheltenham outing this season, and Ballygrifincottage, trained by Dan Skelton. Henry Oliver’s Java Point, Sam Thomas’ Our Power, and Guillaume Fabre’s French contender Izino d’Airy add depth to the field. Venetia Williams’ 12-year-old veteran Chambard rounds out the runners.
Competitive Showdown
With a mix of proven performers and rising stars, the handicap chase promises to be a thrilling contest. King Turgeon’s proven versatility and form make him a strong contender, but the likes of Chianti Classico and other challengers ensure the race will be fiercely competitive.