King George VI Chase 2023 Tips, Runners & Prediction at Kempton

Boxing Day is headlined by the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase, which has attracted a field of six, including multiple Grade 1 winners Allaho, Bravemansgame & Shishkin, who heads the weights, with Willie Mullins Allaho the current favourite. 

It is run over a distance of three miles and has the makings of a cracking race. Here's a runner-by-runner guide before I give my final tips for the race.

For Architect Tips King Geoge VI Chase Ante-Post preview, click here.

Allaho

 

• Trainer: Willie Mullins.
• Jockey: Paul Townend.
• Form: 111111.
• Odds: 13/8.

Despite his well-documented issues off-course and the concern that he might not be the horse he was prior to his layoff, the dual Ryanair Chase winner remains looked good in his reappearance and remains the highest-rated runner in the line-up.

He was absolutely brilliant in his final start two seasons ago, where he defeated a top-class field in the 2022 Punchestown Gold Cup, including the former two-time winner of this race, Clan Des Obeaux, by 14 lengths, with the rest well held.

We didn’t learn much from his winning return in the Clonmel Oil Chase last month other than that he won comfortably, even with a few sketchy leaps on the way around. His jumping on the whole, though, was, in my opinion, pretty good.

We are very much accustomed to his aggressive style of racing, which has broken the hearts of many of his rivals, and with Willie Mullins unlikely to leave any stone unturned, he should be able to get most of these out of their comfort zone.

He is a class act, and his trainer won this a couple of seasons ago with a lesser-quality horse in Tornado Flyer. As far as I can see, he comes with no risks attached and looks destined to maintain his winning sequence. It is significant that Paul Townend comes over to ride.

Bravemansgame

 

• Trainer: Paul Nicholls.
• Jockey: Harry Cobden.
• Form: 21111.
• Odds: 2/1.

A very solid, old-fashioned, and consistent chaser who provided trainer Paul Nicholls with a record-breaking 13th King George success last year when winning the race by 14-lengths.

The defending champion hasn’t been at his very best so far this season, with defeats at Wetherby and Haydock, but the surroundings of this track suit him better than anywhere else.

He is two-from-two over course and distance in Grade 1 events, has only finished out of the frame once over fences, and has been placed in both the Cheltenham Gold Cup and Punchestown Gold Cup.

The evidence of this season’s performances suggests his run in the Gold from last season might have left a mark, similar to what has happened with the winner of the blue riband race, Galopin Des Champs.

Nevertheless, Paul Nicholls is sure to have him well-equipped ahead of his defence bid, even after just a month of recovering from his gruelling Haydock run. He is the obvious danger to the favourite.

Frodon

 

• Trainer: Paul Nicholls.
• Jockey: Bryony Frost.
• Form: 335393.
• Odds: 40/1.

Stablemate to Bravemansgame, who has been an excellent servant for connections over the years and won this in 2020 prior to finishing fourth and third in the last two renewals.

That said, it seems like age might be catching up with the 11-year-old, who could only finish a distant third in the Badger Beer in his return, and this is a much tougher assignment in every aspect.

He will no doubt go down on his shield again, but a place might be the best he can hope for. With all due respect to this warrior, he is no Kauto Star, and the latter is the last horse to win in his age bracket.

He is a real fan favourite, but he is likely to be outclassed by his younger rivals. However, he should give his supporters another solid display and won’t disgrace himself by any means.

Hewick

 

• Trainer: John Hanlon.
• Jockey: Gavin Sheehan.
• Form: U1F140.
• Odds: 16/1.

Similar to Frodon, he’s another fan favourite and made giant strides in the past year, winning the Galway Plate last year and was set to go close in the Kerry National in his next start when carrying top-weight before he unseated his rider at the last fence.

He then proved he could go toe-to-toe with some of the big names when still in contention in the Cheltenham Gold Cup before he fell at the second last fence. His fourth in the Grade 1 Grande Course de Haies D'Auteuil Hurdle in France is a smart piece of form, and the drying ground will help this weekend.

He is another who should run better than his odds, but to win this would require another career-best, and that seems like a tall order against a field of this calibre. Still, he merits respect, and the in-form Gavin Sheehan will ride.

Shishkin

 

• Trainer: Nicky Henderson.
• Jockey: Nico de Boinville.
• Form: P3121R.
• Odds: 4/1.

Nicky Henderson’s six-time Grade 1 winner has had an interrupted preparation, but the nine-year-old is unbeaten in four starts at this course, winning by a combined 55 lengths.

His win in the Aintree Bowl back in April, when he beat course specialist Ahoy Senor over three miles for the first time, underlined his well-being and reminded us of his capabilities.

He also comes out as the second-highest-rated horse in the field here, with only Allaho rated superior, and unlike the Irish raider, he has course form to his name as mentioned, with conditions to suit.

Open to a lot more improvement over this trip, with this course beneficial, it would be dangerous to rule out a positive showing from this quirky but highly talented chaser, who once had a sequence of ten successive victories.

Naturally, he has the class to really serve it up to these if he runs to anything near his best. Even with a stop-start campaign and apparent unreliability, he has plenty going for him and could offer a bit of value at the odds.

The Real Whacker

 

• Trainer: Patrick Neville.
• Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies.
• Form: 20111P.
• Odds: 10/1.

This seven-year-old developed into one of last season’s best-staying novice chasers, winning all three chase starts at Cheltenham, with the highlight coming in the Brown Advisory, where he handed Gerri Colombe his only defeat.

His assured jumping and the way he travels on the front end will suit him very well at a course like Kempton, but he disappointed on his return when pulled up in the Paddy Power Gold Cup and will get taken on for the lead by Allaho.

He had an excuse for his poor effort last time, which was put down to an overreach, but it’s very rare to see a horse win a King George after a previous non-completion. He should run well, but others hold stronger claims.

King George VI Chase Tips & Prediction

Nothing has changed my view for this race, as I highlighted Allaho and Shishkin as win bets in my previous ante-post piece for the race. Willie Mullins’ charge should be hard to beat, as this track should play to his strengths. Nicky Henderson’s Shishkin hasn’t had the smoothest of preparations, but his record around here is exemplary, and he’s played as a cover.

For Architect Tips King Geoge VI Chase Ante-Post preview, click here.