December 26 / 14.30 Kempton

14.30

Good

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

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

Runners: 6 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

12/1 (Won)

  • Win: £14.20
  • Place: £4.30

Form: 1F1-40 D

Last run: 146 days

W: 11st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 167

Form & Verdict
To win this he needs some of the big names to underperform but that's entirely possible; ran a fine race (albeit looking beaten when falling two out) in the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March, on soft ground that may not have been ideal, and he powered clear in the Grade 2 Oaksey Chase at Sandown (2m6f, good to soft) in April; has had a break since finishing well beaten in the Galway Plate in August; interesting contender under jockey-of-the-moment Gavin Sheehan.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

1

30th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 7f 110y

16:15 Punchestown

Hewick

12st 0lb

J: Paddy Hanlon

T: John Joseph Hanlon

Has been a fantastic standard-bearer for his yard, winning 12 races between hurdles and fences including the King George in 2023; hasn't been at that level in the last year but ran respectably in the Stayers' Hurdle; has to bounce back from a poor Aintree run.

20/1

3

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

15:05 Aintree

Hewick

11st 10lb

J: Paddy Hanlon

T: John Joseph Hanlon

Career highlight when winning the King George over fences at Kempton in December 2023; won two conditions hurdles last year; gave it a very good go from the front when seventh in the Stayers' Hurdle at Cheltenham (3m, good) last month following wind surgery but this 11yo is probably vulnerable once more.

22/1

7th

5

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

15:20 Cheltenham

Hewick

11st 10lb

J: Paddy Hanlon

T: John Joseph Hanlon

Career highlight when winning the 2023 King George and he was running well when falling two out in the Gold Cup here that year; won two conditions hurdles last year; soundly beaten behind Impose Toi in Grade 2 Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury (3m, soft) in November last time and, although he's had a wind op and better ground may aid his cause, this 11yo looks up against it.

33/1

2/1

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 123-22 CD BF

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 171

Form & Verdict
Triumphed in this race last year on the back of a reappearance win in the Charlie Hall, and he was a highly creditable second in the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March; not at his very best when runner-up on his two runs this term, in the Charlie Hall then the Betfair Chase, and he needs to raise his game, but he's a major player if rediscovering last season's peak form.
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

Form: 11/1-1 D

Last run: 47 days

W: 11st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 176

Form & Verdict
Won the 2m4f Ryanair Chase for the second consecutive season in March 2022 and easily followed up in the Punchestown Gold Cup that April (his first 3m Grade 1 win); a long absence followed until last month, when he comfortably won the three-runner 2m4f Grade 2 Clonmel Oil Chase; that latest performance isn't definitive confirmation that he retains all of his old, brilliant ability, but he will be tough to beat if at his best.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

21st Jan 2024

Yielding

2m 4f 35y

13:35 Thurles

Allaho

11st 8lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

travelled strongly, jumped left on occasions, made all, faced challenge but going easily 3 out, went clear when nudged along after 2 out, easily

8/13

3rd

1

26th Dec 2023

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 1

14:30 Kempton

Allaho

11st 10lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

Won the 2m4f Ryanair Chase for the second consecutive season in March 2022 and easily followed up in the Punchestown Gold Cup that April (his first 3m Grade 1 win); a long absence followed until last month, when he comfortably won the three-runner 2m4f Grade 2 Clonmel Oil Chase; that latest performance isn't definitive confirmation that he retains all of his old, brilliant ability, but he will be tough to beat if at his best.

7/4

1st

2

9th Nov 2023

Heavy

2m 4f 96y

14:50 Clonmel

Allaho

11st 3lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

made all, didn't always jump with fluency, going best and clear before 2 out, pushed out when ridden briefly run-in, easily

4/9

Form: 0111-P D

Last run: 38 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 162

Form & Verdict
All four chase starts have been at Cheltenham; won the first two (3m/2m4f, good/soft) before narrowly making all in the Grade 1 Brown Advisory Novices' Chase (3m, soft) in March; pulled up in the Paddy Power Gold Cup on last month's return but may have needed the run and he's well worth a second look now back up in trip, being the only horse to have beaten leading Gold Cup candidate Gerri Colombe (in the Brown Advisory).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

25

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

The Real Whacker

10st 9lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Patrick Neville

11lb below his peak mark and well handicapped judged on best efforts, the most recent of which were over 3m on good ground late in 2024; muted in this three runs this term, only one of which was over fences but he ended up tailed off in that Wetherby race, which he'd won a year earlier; those past glories may now be too distant.

66/1

3

1st Nov 2025

Good

3m 0f 45y

Class 1

14:57 Wetherby

The Real Whacker

11st 10lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Patrick Neville

Front-runner who won this in good style last year (good) and again has the benefit of a recent run, which could give him an advantage over a few of these; can give a good account in first-time cheekpieces but it looks a hotter contest than 12 months ago and he carries a 6lb penalty this time.

4/1

3

1st Nov 2025

Good

3m 0f 45y

Class 1

14:57 Wetherby

The Real Whacker

11st 10lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Patrick Neville

Front-runner who won this in good style last year (good) and again has the benefit of a recent run, which could give him an advantage over a few of these; can give a good account in first-time cheekpieces but it looks a hotter contest than 12 months ago and he carries a 6lb penalty this time.

4/1

OUR TIP

Form: 3539-3 CD

Last run: 45 days

W: 11st 10lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 156

Form & Verdict
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.
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: 3121-R C BF

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 173

Form & Verdict
Has become somewhat enigmatic nowadays and refused to race in first-time cheekpieces at Ascot on last month's reappearance (no headgear today); however, he won his sixth Grade 1 when responding to pressure and leading after the final fence in the 3m1f Aintree Bowl in April, on his first crack at a staying trip under rules, and he's capable of having a big say if on his best behaviour.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

11th Apr 2024

Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:55 Aintree

Shishkin

11st 10lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Won this last year (good to soft); refused to race on reappearance (his sole outing in cheekpieces); may well have won the Grade 1 King George at Kempton (3m, good) in December but for stumbling/unseating just after two out; ready Grade 2 win at Newbury (2m7f, heavy) in February; didn't run in last month's Gold Cup due to an unsatisfactory scope and there remains a question mark regarding the form of the stable, but he's a key player if at his best.

5/2

4th

6

11th Apr 2024

Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:55 Aintree

Shishkin

11st 10lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Won this last year (good to soft); refused to race on reappearance (his sole outing in cheekpieces); may well have won the Grade 1 King George at Kempton (3m, good) in December but for stumbling/unseating just after two out; ready Grade 2 win at Newbury (2m7f, heavy) in February; didn't run in last month's Gold Cup due to an unsatisfactory scope and there remains a question mark regarding the form of the stable, but he's a key player if at his best.

5/2

1st

2

10th Feb 2024

Soft

2m 7f 86y

Class 1

14:05 Newbury

Shishkin

11st 8lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

jumped left on occasions, raced in second, not fluent 3rd, not fluent 13th, pressed leader after 4 out, led 3 out, soon faced challenge, not fluent last, ridden and kept on well run-in

4/6

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £47.70
Straight Forecast £38.58
Trifecta £118.90

Selections

POSTDATA:

Bravemansgame

TOPSPEED:

Shishkin

RP RATINGS:

Allaho

Telegraph:

The Real Whacker

SPOTLIGHT:

Hewick

Daily Mail:

Frodon

Daily Record:

The Real Whacker

WEST COUNTRY:

Bravemansgame

The Times:

Bravemansgame

The Sun:

Bravemansgame

Daily Mirror:

Hewick

LAMBOURN:

Shishkin

D Express:

Shishkin

The Guardian:

Allaho

The Star:

Allaho