Steve Ryder provides his runners guide and tips for the King George VI Chase at Kempton's Christmas festival.
King George VI Chase
The King George VI Chase is a Grade 1 Chase run at Kempton over 3 miles. This race will take place at 2:30 on December 26th this year.
King George VI Chase Winners, Trends & Stats
Kauto Star won this race a record five times in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2011.
- 11 of the previous 12 winners were aged between 6 and 8
- 11 of the previous 12 winners had already won a Grade 1 race
- 10 of the previous 12 winners had at least 8 previous chase starts
- 9 of the previous 12 winners were rated 162 or higher
- 9 of the previous 12 winners had at least one previous run at Kempton
King George VI Chase Runners Guide
BANBRIDGE- Joseph O’Brien/ Sean Bowen
Last year’s winner who was given a fantastic ride by Paul Townend to run down Il Est Francais late on. He was fitted with cheekpieces that day and connections are likely to fit him with a first-time visor. He was below par on his reappearance this season when well beaten in the Hilly Way Chase but is 2/2 at the track and now gets the assistance of Sean Bowen.
CROKE PARK- Gordon Elliott/ TBC
Won two Grade 1 Novice chases last season including over this 3 mile distance but has been beaten 30, 16 and 13½ lengths on his previous three runs. Officially rated 152 so will need to show improved form to be a factor.
DJELO- Venetia Williams/ Charlie Deutsch
Five-time Grade 2 winner who has won both of his starts this season. He won the Charlie Hall Chase over this 3 mile distance on his reappearance before winning the Peterborough Chase again by an eased down 4 ¾ lengths at the finish. Although he hasn’t raced at Kempton before, this track should suit and he looks progressive.
FACT TO FILE- Willie Mullins/ Mark Walsh
173 rated chaser whose only disappointing effort came at Punchestown last season. He won the Brown Advisory Novice Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in 2024 before an impressive nine length victory in the Ryanair Chase last season. He was only beaten a neck in the John Durkan Chase on his reappearance by Gaelic Warrior and should hold strong claims if that hasn’t left its mark.
GAELIC WARRIOR- Willie Mullins/ Paul Townend
Rated 1lb higher than stablemate Fact To File having got the better of that rival in the John Durkan Chase on his reappearance. He was an impressive winner of the Grade 1 Bowl Chase at Aintree over this 3m trip before following up at Sandown under a penalty. The seven-year-old raced keenly over 2m3½f on his reappearance and it will be interesting to see what tactics Paul Townend uses upped in trip again.
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IL EST FRANCAIS- Tom George/ Harry Cobden
Enigmatic chaser who was an impressive 11 length winner of the Grade 1 Kauto Star Novices’ Chase over this course and distance two seasons ago. He put in a career best performance when runner-up behind Banbridge in this race last year having pulled up on his previous start and he will have to bounce back again this year having pulled up behind Jango Baie at Ascot.
JANGO BAIE- Nicky Henderson/ Nico De Boinville
Won the Arkle Chase at the Cheltenham Festival last season staying on strongly at the finish. Seemed to relish the step up in trip to 2m5f when winning the 1965 Chase on his reappearance after a wind operation beating both Master Chewy and Il Est Francais. He should be suited by the set up of the race.
MASTER CHEWY- Nigel & Willy Twiston- Davies/ Sam Twiston- Davies
Won the Grade 2 Game Spirit Chase at Newbury last season and ran well to finish 2nd in the Old Roan Chase on his reappearance. Well beaten by Jango Baie at Ascot last time but is 1/1 at the track and is untested over this 3m trip.
THE JUKEBOX MAN- Ben Pauling/ Ben Jones
Ben Pauling trained seven-year-old who is unbeaten in his three starts over fences. He was an impressive winner of the Grade 1 Kauto Star Novices’ Chase last season before missing the remainder of the season with an injury. He returned to win a Graduation Chase at Haydock after 331 days off the track in good style and the runner-up Iroko boosted that form on Saturday. A rating of 156 could underestimate this progressive gelding but this is the strongest test he has faced so far.
King George VI Chase Trainer & Jockeys To Watch
Of the trainers with runners this season, Nicky Henderson has won the most with three victories with Long Run (2010 & 2012) and Might Bite (2017). Venetia Williams won it with Teeton Mill (1998) and Willie Mullins won it with Tornado Flyer (2021).
Harry Cobden has won the race twice recently on Clan Des Obeaux (2018) and Bravemansgame (2022). Paul Townend won it on Banbridge last year, Sam Twiston- Davies won it on Clan Des Obeaux in 2019 and Nico De Boinville won it on Might Bite in 2017.
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King George VI Chase Odds
| Horse | Odds |
|---|---|
| Gaelic Warrior | 5/2 |
| Jango Baie | 3/1 |
| Fact To File | 7/2 |
| The Jukebox Man | 6/1 |
| Djelo | 12/1 |
| Banbridge | 14/1 |
| Il Est Francais | 16/1 |
| Croke Park | 100/1 |
| Master Chewy | 200/1 |
Last updated on 22/12/2025 at 14:30.
Who is the favourite to win the King George VI Chase at Kempton?
Gaelic Warrior heads the betting at 5/2 with Paddy Power, holding a narrow ratings edge over stablemate Fact To File after finishing ahead of him on his seasonal return
King George VI Chase Betting Tips
The King George VI Chase looks a stronger renewal than last year but IL EST FRANCAIS (best priced at 16/1) looks overpriced despite this. The Tom George trained seven-year-old has put in the best two performances of his career over this course and distance and is the only horse who fits the five main trends highlighted above. He bounced back from a pulled up effort last year so his Ascot run on his reappearance isn’t a huge concern and he could fit the frame if others underperform.
