December 26 / 14.30 Kempton

14.30

Soft

Ladbrokes King George VI Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £142375
  • 3m 0f 0y
  • Class 1
  • 9 runners
ITV
View Course
Ladbrokes King George VI Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly sunny

OUR TIP

11/4 (Won)

  • Win: £3.75
  • Place: £1.60

Form: 1114-1 CD

Last run: 58 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 164

Form & Verdict
Made it clear he was a major talent as soon as he went chasing and he easily brushed off Ahoy Senor over C&D last December (3m, soft); signed off last season with a lifeless run but he could hardly have done more on his Wetherby reappearance (3m, good to soft) when coming off the bridle only after the last; almost certainly better than he has needed to show so far and should be tailor-made for this race; big chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15th

13

5th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Bravemansgame

11st 0lb

J: James Reveley

T: Paul Nicholls

Won the 2022 King George and second in the 2023 Cheltenham Gold Cup (he's unraced beyond that 3m2f); a run of seconds late in 2023 was creditable but more substantial doubts have now set in and various equipment has been tried; to look on the bright side, he makes his first foray outside Grade 1 or 2 for over three years and his handicap mark has plummeted.

40/1

15th

13

5th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Bravemansgame

11st 0lb

J: James Reveley

T: Paul Nicholls

Won the 2022 King George and second in the 2023 Cheltenham Gold Cup (he's unraced beyond that 3m2f); a run of seconds late in 2023 was creditable but more substantial doubts have now set in and various equipment has been tried; to look on the bright side, he makes his first foray outside Grade 1 or 2 for over three years and his handicap mark has plummeted.

40/1

3rd

5

8th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 7f 86y

Class 1

14:25 Newbury

Bravemansgame

11st 2lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

prominent, disputed lead from 5th

5/2

14/1

  • Place: £2.90

Form: 21255- CD

Last run: 263 days

W: 11st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 163

Form & Verdict
Won C&D handicap at this meeting two years ago and has since proved a high-class performer when conditions are really testing, such as when winning the same Grade 2 over 3m1f at Haydock in early 2021 and 2022; has been off since April, though, and L'Homme Presse looks the yard's flag-bearer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 125y

Class 1

14:00 Haydock

Royale Pagaille

12st 0lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Five-time course winner including this race in 2021 and 2022 and the Betfair Chase in 2023 and 2024; reappeared with fine second in that Grade 1 here 56 days ago (good to soft); struggled last season after his reappearance win but this 12yo could have a big say if backing up his latest effort.

13/2

2

5th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Royale Pagaille

11st 9lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

All wins on soft or heavy; he's been a class act at Haydock but did not show it in two visits there this year, including on his second attempt at a marathon trip, and his sixth in last month's Cheltenham Gold Cup was a remote one; some conspicuous negatives.

80/1

2

5th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Royale Pagaille

11st 9lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

All wins on soft or heavy; he's been a class act at Haydock but did not show it in two visits there this year, including on his second attempt at a marathon trip, and his sixth in last month's Cheltenham Gold Cup was a remote one; some conspicuous negatives.

80/1

25/1

  • Place: £2.70

Form: 470-13 CD

Last run: 37 days

W: 11st 10lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 162

Form & Verdict
Multiple winner of Graded races; as accurate a jumper as they come and he never really looked like giving up his lead in this race two years ago; events conspired against him in this in 2021 but his reappearance win at Wincanton showed he has lost little with the passing of the years; well held at Haydock in November but a bold show today cannot be ruled out on a track that suits him so well; has won on wide variety of ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

26th Dec 2023

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 1

14:30 Kempton

Frodon

11st 10lb

J: Bryony Frost

T: Paul Nicholls

Made all in this race in 2020; fourth in 2021 and third in 2022 (soundly beaten each time); showed last season that he retains considerable spark and he could improve for last month's reappearance third in the Badger Beer at Wincanton, but it's highly likely that this 11yo is vulnerable today.

33/1

3rd

1

11th Nov 2023

Soft

3m 1f 30y

Class 1

14:25 Wincanton

Frodon

12st 0lb

J: Bryony Frost

T: Paul Nicholls

High-class chaser with an endless list of big-race wins on the board under his perfect partner Bryony Frost, including a heroic success off the very same mark in this 12 months ago; has an outstanding record when fresh and this venue is made for him (2-2); unlikely to relinquish his crown without a fight, especially should conditions dry out.

100/30

9th

1

29th Apr 2023

Good

3m 4f 146y

Class 1

14:15 Sandown

Frodon

12st 0lb

J: Bryony Frost

T: Paul Nicholls

Tremendous front-running chaser down the years, including on testing ground, and ran respectably in major 3m handicap at Kempton most recently; defied top weight at Wincanton (3m1f, good to firm) in November but has never looked like he's crying out for this longer distance; may get outstayed.

14/1

Form: 137-22 D

Last run: 37 days

W: 11st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 162

Form & Verdict
High-class chaser who doesn't quite hack it at the top level although he did give a sterling display to beat Royale Pagaille at Newbury (2m7f, good to soft) in February; conceded 3lb to Bravemansgame when going down by just over 3l at Wetherby in October (3m, good to soft) but at no stage did he have a prayer against the winner; just a respectable runner-up in a Grade 1 at Haydock since and this looks a mighty task.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 1

16:05 Aintree

Eldorado Allen

10st 12lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

12yo who staged a renaissance when winning a veterans' chase at Cheltenham in November and has continued in pretty good heart; however, it's likely he'll be vulnerable today; soundly beaten in this race 12 months ago.

66/1

4th

4

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 214y

Class 2

15:15 Newbury

Eldorado Allen

11st 9lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Form over shorter this term features a reappearance success in veterans' race at Cheltenham (2m4f, soft; beat Mister Coffey); record at Newbury includes a success in 2m7f Grade 2 in 2022 and respectable effort in major 3m2f handicap in 2023; solid claims.

9/2

4th

4

18th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 6f 50y

Class 2

15:00 Windsor

Eldorado Allen

11st 2lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Three-time Grade 2 chase winner who snapped long losing sequence to land veterans' handicap at Cheltenham (2m4f, soft) in November; ran okay when third next time; however, this 12yo looks vulnerable in today's company.

50/1

Form: 121-53 D BF

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 161

Form & Verdict
Grade 1-winning hurdler as novice; had some scintillating days as a front-running novice chaser but was no match for Bravemansgame over C&D last Christmas; later showed his true worth when winning a Grade 1 at Aintree (3m1f, good to soft); dropped right out on reappearance and although he ran much better when a close third at Aintree recently, there is still a query as to whether a sharp right-handed track is what's needed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

1

1st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 2

15:40 Musselburgh

Ahoy Senor

12st 0lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Very much the class act in this field but he's become hugely frustrating as a chaser and tailed off (after making the running) when he reverted to hurdles in a Grade 2 at Newbury on latest outing; thrown in if he can even remotely get his act together.

14/1

1

26th Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 200y

Class 1

14:55 Aintree

Ahoy Senor

11st 12lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

10yo who was underwhelming in the main last season and soundly beaten in the Grade 1 Bowl here in April, having finished runner-up in the previous two runnings of that 3m contest; a longer trip than this would probably be preferable but he's 7lb lower than when a close third in this last year and is well worth a second look in view of his record at this track.

13/2

5th

1

3rd Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:55 Aintree

Ahoy Senor

11st 10lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell

Comes with some risk having failed to complete in his last three starts (had wind surgery prior to latest); however, comes alive at Aintree and has performed well in this race for the last two years, taking form figures at this meeting to 1122 (gained the wins in Grade 1 novice events over hurdles/fences); big player provided that pattern is sustained.

6/1

Form: 1-5U22 C BF

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 155

Form & Verdict
Has notable course form over hurdles and fences; wide-margin winner of a Grade 1 novice chase at Aintree in April (2m4f, good to soft) but has a tendency to unseat and is up against it now back at 3m; cheekpieces enlisted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

16th Mar 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 2

14:45 Kempton

Millers Bank

12st 0lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Alex Hales

Well-held last of three runners over hurdles on sole outing this term; had wind surgery (his fourth) since; very useful chaser on his day and bagged Grade 1 honours over 2m4f at Aintree (as a novice) two years ago; possibilities off this mark, provided he's back on song.

9/1

3rd

2

11th Nov 2023

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

15:20 Aintree

Millers Bank

11st 2lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Alex Hales

Highly tried and lost his way over fences last season after two good seconds over this trip before Christmas; now reverts to hurdling and he's certainly interesting on his third in the 2021 Aintree Hurdle, while a 10l win in the 2022 Manifesto Novices' Chase (again 2m4f, good to soft) underlines his liking for this course; carries risks but not ruled out by any means.

100/30

Form: 613-31 D

Last run: 51 days

W: 11st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 165

Form & Verdict
His unbeaten record lasted for over three years and took in some major prizes over hurdles and fences before he fell early on at Cheltenham in March 2021; seemed to have reached his peak at up to about 2m4f since but he found plenty when winning a Grade 1 at Down Royal in November (yielding) in only his second run over 3m, albeit putting in a few short strides at his fences and having to work for it; has more to do here but he is unexposed at 3m.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

1

13th Mar 2026

Good

3m 2f 70y

Class 1

16:00 Cheltenham

Envoi Allen

11st 10lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

His remarkable haul of ten Grade 1 wins includes three at the Cheltenham Festival, and it was at that level that he won at Down Royal in November on his sole outing this season; however, he was a well-beaten third in the Ryanair last March and, now 12, today's task is likely to prove beyond him.

25/1

2

1st Nov 2025

Good

3m 0f 0y

14:40 Down Royal

Envoi Allen

11st 10lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Winner of this race in 2022 and 2024, just touched off in 2023; eight chase wins also include a Ryanair Chase; ran just twice after last season's win here, unseating in King George and bit below-best but nonetheless creditable third in Ryanair in March; veteran vulnerable to younger rivals but has to be respected.

9/4

2

1st Nov 2025

Good

3m 0f 0y

14:40 Down Royal

Envoi Allen

11st 10lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Winner of this race in 2022 and 2024, just touched off in 2023; eight chase wins also include a Ryanair Chase; ran just twice after last season's win here, unseating in King George and bit below-best but nonetheless creditable third in Ryanair in March; veteran vulnerable to younger rivals but has to be respected.

9/4

Form: 232-21

Last run: 37 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 160

Form & Verdict
In his third season over fences but is still only a 6yo and may yet have better to give looking at his recent runs, only just losing out in Grade 2 at Aintree (2m4f, good to soft) before having a straightforward task at Haydock (2m5f, soft); some guesswork involved regarding stamina for the new trip and Harry Cobden prefers Bravemansgame, but still an intriguing runner.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 1

16:05 Aintree

Hitman

11st 7lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Paul Nicholls

10yo who has become inconsistent and hasn't shone on his last two starts; however, he has a good record over regulation fences here and has the same mark as when winning the Old Roan (2m4f, good to soft) last October; prominent for a fair way in last season's Grand National; not written off.

33/1

1

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 13y

Class 2

14:20 Ascot

Hitman

12st 0lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Paul Nicholls

Runner-up in this race last year and he ended a long losing sequence in the Old Roan at Aintree (2m4f, good to soft) on reappearance; however, he's less consistent than he once was and he was well held in the Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon last time; needs to bounce back from that.

8/1

3

26th Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 200y

Class 1

14:55 Aintree

Hitman

11st 3lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Paul Nicholls

9yo who has won just one of his last 21 starts and struggled on his final two outings last season (albeit in Grand National on first occasion); however, he often runs very well, as when runner-up in this race last year (good) and in 2022 (good to soft), and there's every chance he'll be bang there.

6/1

Form: 1113-1 D

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 170

Form & Verdict
Seemingly had one race too many last season when a remote third to Ahoy Senor at Aintree but has had a copybook chase career otherwise, including a Grade 1 Cheltenham Festival win (3m, soft; a dangerous rival fell late on) and when giving weight all round at Newcastle (2m7f, good to soft) in November; has nearly always raced on much stiffer tracks than this but is rising to every challenge; very classy and could prove capable of even better.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

9

13th Mar 2026

Good

3m 2f 70y

Class 1

16:00 Cheltenham

LHomme Presse

11st 10lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Won the Grade 1 Brown Advisory here in March 2022 and also the Cotswold Chase here last January; pushed Spillane's Tower close in that same 3m1f Grade 2 this season, when conceding 6lb to the winner, but no match for Haiti Couleurs since and this 11yo is up against it in today's company.

50/1

2nd

1

7th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 91y

Class 1

14:10 Newbury

LHomme Presse

11st 8lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Unraced here but a stalwart of the 3m+ chase division elsewhere; runner-up in contrasting styles in two Cheltenham races this season, rallying after losing his place at halfway in a Grade 3 handicap on reappearance, and leading until after the final fence in a four-runner Grade 2 two weeks ago; unraced on heavy but goes well on soft; should ensure that Haiti Couleurs does not have it all his own way.

5/4

2nd

2

24th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 1f 56y

Class 1

14:25 Cheltenham

LHomme Presse

11st 10lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Landed the odds in this race last year (soft ground) and showed a similar level of form when second under big weight in handicap here on reappearance, rallying after losing his place at halfway; should give his running again but has a bit to find on the figures with Grey Dawning.

9/2

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £33.20
Straight Forecast £34.12
Tricast £495.19
Trifecta £292.20

Selections

RP Ratings:

L'Homme Presse

WEST COUNTRY:

Hitman

SPOTLIGHT:

Bravemansgame

POSTDATA:

Envoi Allen

TOPSPEED:

Royale Pagaille

The Sun:

Hitman

Telegraph:

L'Homme Presse

The Guardian:

L'Homme Presse

D Express:

L'Homme Presse

Daily Mirror:

L'Homme Presse

The Star:

L'Homme Presse

Daily Record:

L'Homme Presse

Daily Mail:

Bravemansgame

The Times:

Envoi Allen