Barbers Shop to tackle Kauto Star in King George

Nicky Henderson has confirmed that the talented Barbers Shop will tackle the William Hill King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day in favour of a race at Ascot on Saturday.

Owned by The Queen, Barbers Shop has raced once this season, finishing a creditable fourth to Denman in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury.  Now the trainer has opted against running him in the Sodexo Prestige Silver Cup Handicap Chase on Saturday, a race he would carry top weight in.

Nicky Henderson explained: "We are thinking of going for the King George.

"We had a long chat about it this morning and we always knew we didn't really want him to have to carry 11st 12lb in a handicap.

"He is a horse that falls between a horrible grey area.

"We know there are will probably be 10 runners in the King George, three or four of which he can certainly beat, but with maybe three or four he can't.

"But three miles around Kempton will be ideal."

To see the market for the William Hill King George VI Chase at Kempton, follow this link to William Hill now, where the sponsors are giving punters a free bet on the Grade 1 showpiece.

Share this article

25 reads Add Comment

Tags

Tags: Kempton, King George, King George Chase, Nicky Henderson