The Dan Skelton-trained chaser is hoping to follow in the hoofprints of great greys at Kempton on Boxing DayA bold-jumping grey in the King George at Kempton: for a dozen years from the mid‑1980s, it was a Boxing Day tradition as Desert Orchid, One Man and Teeton Mill racked up seven wins from nine appearances between them. And as Robert Kirkland, a racehorse owner for nearly 40 years, still recalls, there might have been another.“The first horse I ever had a share in was called High Edge Grey,” Kirkland said this week. “He won the Charlie Hall at Wetherby in 1988 and the plan was to go to Kempton, but then he hurt his back in the Hennessy at Newbury. In those days, you didn’t have chiropractors for horses, and he missed it.” Continue reading...
The main conceptual idea of the text is that Grey Dawning, a grey chaser trained by Dan Skelton, is aiming to emulate the success of legendary greys like Desert Orchid in the King George VI Chase at Kempton, reviving a historical tradition of grey dominance in the race. The article highlights: * Grey Dawning's impressive qualities: As a bold jumper, Grey Dawning carries the hopes of his owner, who has long dreamed of running a horse in the King George. * Historical context: The King George has historically seen success from grey horses, particularly in the 1980s with Desert Orchid, One Man, and Teeton Mill. * Grey Dawning's remarkable recovery: The horse's participation in the race is a testament to his resilience after a challenging second-place finish in the Betfair Chase. The article builds anticipation for Grey Dawning's performance, emphasizing the historical significance and his potential to continue the legacy of great grey chasers.
