FAST & FURIOUS
Punters’ ‘in tears’ as ante-post second-favourite Fastorslow is ‘puzzlingly’ NOT entered in the King George VI
There were concerns that it will be a one-horse race
THE King George VI ante-post second favourite Fastorslow has shockingly NOT been entered in Kempton's Boxing Day spectacle.
Punters were looking forward to a rematch between Martin Brassil's hero and Willie Mullins' Galopin Des Champs.
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The pair have been long-term rivals and battled it out to the finish line twice last season.
Mullins' machine came out on top in the Irish Gold Cup, only for Brassil's stable star to reverse the form two months later with a shock 20-1 win in the Punchestown Gold Cup.
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His absence also makes the 7-2 favourite Il Est Francais' look relatively unchallenged.
The French-based trainer Noel George had his star primed to perfection over course and distance last year, and all evidence points to a repeat performance in the Grade 1 this time around.
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Punters took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to vent their disappointment at the turn of events.
One said: "Sickening. Was in so many of my Antepost bets. Wonder what the setback is. Hopefully, it’s all good, just minor, and will be good for Cheltenham. Class horse."
Another added: "Almost all my anteposts have Fastorslow in them."
Other punters were intrigued by what the reason could be for Brassil's decision, especially as the trainer had previously cited the race as his target.
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One punter said: "Be interesting to see what the reason is."
Another replied: "Puzzling."
The comment was met with a large number of people saying it must be down to injury.
One said: "Will be amazed if it is anything other than injury."
While others were concerned that it was looking very much like a one-horse race.
One said: "Blimey there’s not too many you’d be worried about if he [Il Est Francais] arrives in top form."
As the betting stands, the key challengers to the French raider are Willie Mullins' Gaelic Warrior, the 11-2 second favourite, who is ahead of his stablemate Galopin Des Champs at 8-1.
Last year's winner Hewick is 14-1 for a repeat success and Henry de Bromhead's Envoi Allen is hovering at the 25-1 mark.
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The Irish trainer earlier this week revealed he had 'unfinished business' in the King George, and his charge proved he was in the form of his life when getting the better of Hewick at Down Royal last weekend.
Coral King George VI odds
7-2 Il Est Francais, 11-2 Gaelic Warrior, 8 Galopin Des Champs, 12 Banbridge, Il Etait Temps, Protektorat, 14 Grey Dawning, Hewick, 16 Capodanno, Corbetts Cross, Envoi Allen, Ginny’s Destiny, Grangeclare West, 20 Ahoy Senor, Bravemansgame, 25 bar
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