King George result as follows.........

The one that finishes in front (if any) of Native River will find itself in the winners enclosure.

Might Bite
Native River
Double Shuffle

I really don’t get the appeal of Politologue who I actually think it is the most inferior of the top 7 in the market. The other day Paul Nicholls was trying to compare his profile to Kauto Star. I can’t see that myself but obviously he knows about racing horses more than I do! The most revealing thing is the Irish haven’t bothered at all. Given the way they run their races in Ireland I think they fear a bold run from the front rather than a hold up horse. I don’t necessarily agree with this analysis that something from behind will benefit from the strong gallop. I can easily see a reverse of the Gold cup this time, with  Might Bite stalking taking NR. That has to be the most logical outcome. MB’s jumping wasn’t actually that bad - he just ran out of petrol. Anyone who thinks Waiting Patiently will turn up after no run and beat this lot is bananas, I cannot see why anyone would risk that.

Fair comment ETID,in terms of PFN he swore that Politologue was an out an out 2 miler after the Tingle Creek and the RP last week stated connections have always insisted he is a stayer.

Clueless all of them,I backed him for last years KG pre the TC,advised him for the TC live on RP and said "KG winner" pre and post race.The reply was "Shame you did'nt back him for next years KG" I had and read "The experts" with a great deal of humour but anger at the same time.Misled everyone,possibly innocently but with extreme stupidity.

If he wins it will be no thanks to Hales or PFN and yet we know they will take all the plaudits on live TV,us minions are pretty good judges are we not?

That could well be the case mepoor.

Native River wins

Might Bite leads at the first,outjumped by Thistlecarck.....4th last BDM leads by 2 l,Thistlecrack stalking,Might Bite looking like he might be pulled up.........3 out BDM leads,Thistlecrack going well in 2nd,Waiting patiently waiting in the wings in 3rd,Politiologue still going well.This looks like it is down to 4 approaching the 2nd last where BDM leads but the stalkers are closing,Waiting Patiently pushed along,Thistlecrack comes under a ride but staying on.

Politologue been in unknown territory for a while goes well,one to jump and BDM is resolute,at the last BDM joined by Thistlecrack,Politologue now being asked for everything.....as they go up the run in it is Politologue by a half now by a length.......Thistlecrack stays on to pass BDM for 2nd.

A new kid on the block but will he get another 2 furlongs in the Gold Cup?

What's wind-op got to do with BDM and Haydock? He won emphatically at Haydock the year before yet passed by MB here a month later. Similarly, the previous 3 seasons thus inferring wind-op had no bearing, before or after; the Haydock phenomenon is the more logical explanation eg Harry Angel and Ascot.

Two horses with the best form ie Native River and Might Bite; friendly weather all this week at Kempton (good to soft).

Nice write ups, here's how I see it panning out:

At the off Coneygree, Bristol De Mai & Native River to contest the early running, with all taking turns to lead.
Might Bite just in behind with Politologue, both tracking the pace..
held up Double Shuffle, Waiting Patiently & Tea for Two with Thistlecrack & Clan Des Obeaux.

The emphasis will be on slick, fast jumping, and BDM will not like the pace and fall away 3 or 4 out
like last year. Clan Des Obeaux will find it too hot I suspect and fade out of contention.

The lightly-raced 11yo Coneygree will keep lobbing away and jumping well, with Native River closely in tow.

Two fences out: Native River caught slightly for pace and Might bite looming up, but it is Waiting Patiently
that looks the main threat and he is cruising easily.

Last fence: Waiting Patiently jumps into a clear lead & extends his advantage on the run-in, Coneygree very game to hold 2nd.
Might Bite close 3rd, with Double Shuffle & Tea for Two fighting out 4th place with Thistlecrack in bunch for 4th..
Native River staying on again at the finish.
Politologue not really seeing out the trip and eased off when all chance gone.

1 Waiting Patiently
2 Coneygree [1.5 length]
3 Might Bite [Neck]

ETID, I would love to see Native River win or go close, but just don't see the course
& distance playing to his strengths.
He certainly has the form but it's not always as simple as that.
I will be happy to be proven wrong, but horses for courses ..

I honestly think the wind op could have made massive difference, yes Bristol de mai  likes haydock , the time they done last time at haydock compared to his usual soft ground wins tells me he is a compleatly different animal now.

Merry Xmas .

Native River
Might Bite
Tea For Two

Tea For Two has had the op , had his two prep races and he likes Kempton .

i do think that native river looks a cracking e/w bet at 6s

The more I look at it, the more i think nothing can actually win!

Leaning towards Politologue. I'm not certain that he'll stay, but he does little when he hits the front and always seems to be keeping a little back, so think he may last home. Latest victory has been franked and his only 2 defeats from his last 7 races where against Altior over 2m, where he faced an almost impossible task.

Might Bite is not for me. Won poor renewal last year and latest run appalling. Thistlecrack not good enough nowadays and Clan Des Obeaux appears about 10-12lb shy of the very best on the formbook.

Bristol De Mai's flop last year worries me and he rarely seems to run two races alike, although he is unfairly maligned by many. Native River was beaten around here by Tea For Two as a novice and, though his comeback run wasn't as bad as people are making out, I just don't think Kempton will suit.

I understand that many close to Waiting Patiently don't believe that he will stay 3 miles. I'm not sure he will either and surely no easy task to win this without a prep.

So Politologue for me, but not an easy one to call

Fair enough I have had a few Brandys but if Politologue Wins I will glady retire from the forum for good,not saying he wont run a big Race but he wont be Winning....Might Bite for me.

Politologue, will he stay? Well exactly the same question was asked about Desert Orchid, Best Mate, Kicking King, Kauto Star and Cue Card until they proved they did stay. And the reason they got 3M (and more) was that they didn't waste energy making mistakes on the way round.

I'll be backing Politologue because I reckon he has the jumping part of the job off pat and thus will get 3M with no problem. He's never been beaten in a race on a right handed track yet after seven goes, whereas he's 2/9 the other way round.

I'm surprised Nicholls had not pitched Politologue here before until now. Anyway, Waiting Patiently easily disposed of him at Haydock.

Arkle was intended to run in the Queen Alexandra on two occasions I think. Not quite the same I know but it was more competitive in those days as geldings were barred from the Gold Cup. Would have been interesting.

Native River
Bristol De Mai
Tea For Two
In that order, I'm doing forecasts and tricasts gl all !

* to know.

In native rivers favour though, he can jump and coneygree will run the finish out of the faster horses.

This isnt to say i fancy native river. Its just a crazy race where you can make a really good case for loads of horses or rule them out just as easily!