Architect Tips previews the biggest field for the King George since 2009 and has two betting tips for the race.
King George VI Chase
One of the highlights of the Christmas period is Boxing Day’s King George VI Chase at Kempton.
On paper, this could be one of the most thrilling renewals in recent years with no big favourite at the top of the market and the most amount of runners since 2009.
Architect Tips provides his runners guide to each of them and picks his winner.
King George Runners Guide
Banbridge (5/1 - Paul Townend)
Reliable yardstick and was in the process of giving Energumene a fright in the Hilly Way until slightly impeded at the final fence when a length down in which he unseated his rider.
The eight-year-old has done most of his racing between two and two and a half miles, and although his only previous start over three miles ended with disappointment, he’s improved stacks since.
He won at this course earlier this year when landing the Grade 2 Silviniaco Conti Chase, and that form reads well, so despite needing to prove that he stays the trip, the drying ground will help in that regard. Interesting.
Unlock £50 in Free Bets from just a £10 bet on the King George at Kempton.
Bravemansgame (12/1 - Harry Cobden)
Winner of this race two years ago, but after finishing second to Galopin Des Champs in the Gold Cup on his next start, that creditable performance in defeat has taken a lot out of him. Nevertheless, he ran well to finish second in this contest last year and has shaped okay in both starts this season.
Although he was behind Royale Pagaille and Grey Dawning last time out at Haydock in the Betfair Chase, this course does suit him better, and it would come as no surprise to see him outrun his odds. From a win perspective, though, he can be left alone with others holding stronger claims.
Corbetts Cross (16/1 - Derek O'Connor)
Returned an impressive winner of the National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March, showing his staying power, having jumped well throughout.
He wasn’t foot perfect on his return at Wexford, though, when second to Heart Wood, and he will need to be alert and jump slicker here if he’s to keep tabs on some quality opponents. The seven-year-old will be fitter now, and he’s open to a lot more improvement after just seven chase starts, so he could run really well.
Envoi Allen (12/1 - Rachael Blackmore)
Top-class horse with 16 wins from 27 starts and nine Grade 1 wins to his name. The last of those came last month when beating last year’s winner of this race, Hewick, in a thrilling conclusion to the Ladbrokes Champion Chase at Down Royal.
He was off his game in this race two years ago, but he clearly wasn’t right and has bounced back with a vengeance since. He’s up against a host of potential improvers, but he’s a quality animal, and I wouldn’t put it past him running a huge race at fair odds.
General En Chef (50/1 - Benjamin Gelhay)
This French raider caught the eye with a fourth-place finish in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury but looked the likely winner when cruising into the lead approaching the final fence, and this flat track should suit his style of running.
He tends to outrun his odds, as he did when third in the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris earlier this year. A personal best would be needed to come out on top, though, and others have achieved more.
Grey Dawning (6/1 - Harry Skelton)
A gorgeous-looking horse who excelled in his first season over fences last term, with the standout performance coming when winning the Grade 1 Turners Novices’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.
The seven-year-old has yet to finish out of the frame in all 13 completed starts and travelled beautifully in the Betfair Chase on his return, where he looked the likely winner approaching the final fence until a blunder handed the initiative to Royale Pagaille.
That run ought to have blown away the cobwebs, and while most of his form has come on left-handed tracks, he did win on his sole visit to this course over hurdles. He’s a major player for the Skelton’s.
Betfred
- Huge range of regular promotions
- 24/7 live chat service
- PickYourPunt builder for custom bets
Il Est Francais (9/2 - James Reveley)
This Grade 1 winner over hurdles won his first four starts in this sphere, including when dominating last year’s Kauto Star Novices’ Chase on this card 12 months ago, winning by 11 lengths and recording a really quick time figure.
He was pulled up when last seen but was suffering from a haemorrhage and is evidently back in full working order, according to his connections.
Although he comes with risks attached on the back of that last display, if he can stage a repeat of his victory here last season (even though the form hasn’t worked out well), then he could get involved. I’m not inclined to be touching him at his current odds, however, so he can be passed over.
Juntos Ganamos (25/1 - Felix de Giles)
Another French representative with a tendency to blunder fences but isn’t short on ability, given he’s won eight of his 13 starts. This five-year-old was even sent off as a hot favourite for the Grand Steeplechase de Paris but failed to complete.
Having said that, he wasn’t disgraced when third in another Grade 1 when last seen and appeals as the type of horse who could produce a career-best effort in a race of this magnitude. An outsider worthy of a second look.
L’Homme Presse (10/1 - Charlie Deutsch)
Not been seen for nearly 300 days, but as we all know, Venetia Williams knows how to get one ready, and this 10-year-old has won first time out in each of his last four reappearances, which bodes well ahead of the task ahead.
He didn’t see out the trip in the Cheltenham Gold Cup when last seen, but he still performed admirably to finish fourth, and the return to this shorter trip on faster ground will suit him better.
He would have finished second at the very least without unseating his rider at the final fence in this race two years ago, so despite coming up against mostly an improving bunch, he cannot be taken lightly.
Spillane’s Tower (10/3 - Mark Walsh)
Whether he was flattered or not, I really liked the way this six-year-old stayed on strongly to split Fact To File and Galopin Des Champs when second in the John Durkan last month, which is top-class form.
He is a sound jumper and will relish the return to three miles, having won a Grade 1 over the same distance on his penultimate start. If he can match that latest form returned to this trip, then he should be going close.
The Real Whacker (25/1 - Gavin Sheehan)
Could only finish last four in this race 12 months ago, but this Grade 1-winning chaser got back on track with a determined success in the Charlie Hall Chase, digging deep to defeat Bravemansgame.
He now has wins over the last two runner-ups in the Gold Cup. If he can jump as well as he has done on the front end, then he could be another outsider to outrun his odds.
King George Tips
In a typically competitive renewal, I’m going to play two against the very top of the market.
GREY DAWNING (tipped at 9/2) shaped very well when runner-up in the Betfair Chase on his return, and with the likelihood that he will strip fitter from that reappearance, Dan Skelton’s Grade 1 winner has every chance of going a place better.
My outsider for the race is CORBETTS CROSS (tipped at 12/1), who will relish a strong pace and will not lack for stamina given he’s won over much further.
The seven-year-old has plenty more to come and shouldn’t be inconvenienced by drying conditions. Emmet Mullins’ charge will come on for his Wexford return and could make a serious impact.
