King George Boxing Day Contenders
The field is set for the showpiece event on Boxing Day, the King George VI Chase at Kempton Park.
The three-mile Grade 1 event has attracted 11 runners making it the largest field in the race for 15 years.
It’s a real multi-national battle with four runners from Britain, four from Ireland and three from France. Here’s our look at the King George contenders on Boxing Day, with the race set for an off-time of 14:30.
King George Boxing Day: Banbridge
Joseph O’Brien’s charge has won five of his 10 starts over fences, including the Silviniaco Conti Chase over 2m4½f at Kempton in January and the Grade 1 Champion Chase at Punchestown over 2m in April. He’s been disappointing in both runs this season and needs to put his best foot forward.
King George Boxing Day: Bravemansgame
He handed Paul Nicholls a record-extending 13th win in this race two years ago but Bravemansgame hasn’t sampled a victory since. Beaten by The Real Whacker on his comeback in the Charlie Hall at Wetherby, he was only third in the Betfair Chase subsequently and has to prove he can recapture past glories.
King George Boxing Day: Corbetts Cross
The first of two contenders in the JP McManus silks, he looked an out-and-out stayer when romping to glory in the National Hunt Challenge Cup at the Cheltenham Festival back in March. A good third in the Aintree Bowl behind Gerri Colombe afterwards, this flat track may be a bit sharp for him.
King George Boxing Day: Envoi Allen
A super servant to his connections, he won the Champion Chase at Down Royal last month for the second time in three years and now has nine Grade 1 victories on his CV. However, he disappointed in this race in 2022 when finishing tailed off.
King George Boxing Day: General En Chef
One of two contenders for the training alliance of Noel George and Amanda Zetterholm, he finished fourth in last month’s Coral Gold Cup at Newbury off a mark of 148 on his first run in Britain and will have to build significantly on that.
King George Boxing Day: Grey Dawning
A Grade 1-winning novice chaser at the Cheltenham Festival in March for Dan and Harry Skelton, he moved like the best horse in the Betfair Chase at Haydock on his comeback but a tired jump at the last saw the tank empty. He should be all the sharper for that run and has plenty of untapped potential at this trip.
King George Boxing Day: Il Est Francais
He produced a whirlwind of assured jumping and high tempo on this card 12 months ago to rout the field in the Kauto Stat over C&D for Noel George and Amanda Zetterholm with James Reveley on board and this race has been the long-term target since. He was pulled up last month at Auteuil on his prep, however.
King George Boxing Day: Juntos Ganamos
The third French contender, David Cottin’s charge has a prolific strike-rate over fences at Auteuil but he’d be the youngest winner of this race since Manicou in 1950 if scoring in an array of first-time headgear.
King George Boxing Day: L’homme Presse
He was in the process of giving Bravemansgame a run for his money in this race two years ago when Charlie Deutsch was unseated at the final jump. Venetia Williams’ charge showed his ability is intact last season, including finishing fourth in the Cheltenham Gold Cup and his record when fresh is unblemished with four wins from four.
King George Boxing Day: Spillane’s Tower
An outstanding novice chaser last season for small-time Irish handler James Mangan, he signed off with successive Grade 1s at Fairyhouse and Punchestown – latterly over 3m1f. He was second-best behind Fact To File in last month’s John Durkan back there over shorter and that is probably the best race run this season so far. Owner JP McManus has opted to supplement him for this.
King George Boxing Day: The Real Whacker
He hadn’t been asked any question when unseating in the Kerry National in September but he was asked plenty when knuckling down to beat Bravemansgame in the Charlie Hall at Wetherby in early November. Fourth in this race last year and looks a better horse now.
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