2012 King George Betting Tips and Ante Post Preview

With the absence of Kauto Star, this year’s iteration of the King George looks to be one of the most fascinating in years - particularly with Long Run not really hitting the heights he has flashed in previous efforts. His lackluster second place in the Betfair Chase at Haydock was definitely not what connections (or punters backing him at 11/8) would have wanted there and it remains that his only real victory since his epic score at Cheltenham in 2011 was beating a field of five in the Denman Chase. 

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Though it’s a Grade 2 race with a recognizable name, it’s only a 17K purse - far from what he’s been contesting in the past. 

Still a leading contender to win the 2013 Cheltenham Gold Cup, his price for the King George is looking longer than many expected him to be at this year. The fact also remains that he ran in a January King George that was delayed several times and ran against an unfit Kauto Star. 

You can find Long Run trading anywhere from 3/1 to 7/2 and that price is likely to rise as more contenders prove their chops over the next few weeks. 

A few withdrawals have happened, the most notable being Bobs Worth and Silviniaco Conti. Al Ferof remains the competitive runner against Long Run, with the Paddy Power Gold Cup Chase winner seeing his price taken into 5/1 by a number of bookmakers with a few others still offering him up at 6/1. 

Cue Card is also getting plenty of attention in this one as well with a 13/2 price being the shortest one on offer at the moment. He scored in a Grade 2 at Exeter by a massive 26 length margin and, though the race wasn’t against the best of competition, he was able to flash some serious credentials and started his campaign off with plenty of momentum. 

Though he is not established at the highest level yet, many expect Cue Card to make some serious claims towards the end of this season with connections firmly fixing their eyes on festival time. 

Ryanair Chase winner Riverside Theatre will be lining up for this one as well and bookmakers seem to be floating him around 8/1 He was pulled up at Aintree at the end of last season but he did string together three wins on the bounce. He also finished second in last years King George, albeit by a 12 length margin. He is likely to move forward and will be a tough challenge if any of the leading contenders make a significant mistake.