December 26 / 14.30 Kempton

14.30

Good

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

  • Prize money: £148098.47
  • 3m 0f 0y
  • Class 1
  • 11 runners
ITV
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Ladbrokes King George VI Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

OUR TIP

Form: 19-14U C

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 165

Form & Verdict
The big question is whether he'll stay (well beaten over hurdles in April 2022 on sole rules attempt at this sort of trip); however, there's stamina in his pedigree and he was strong at the finish to win the Grade 2 Silviniaco Conti here (2m4f, good to soft) in January; secured second Grade 1 win in April on the only occasion he wore these cheekpieces, and looked in very good heart at Cork recently (final-fence unseat); considered.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Banbridge

11st 11lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

So nearly won his second King George at Kempton over Christmas but, although he's a class act, excelling over 3m on good ground at that speed track doesn't mean that this test will suit him; his moderate late headway in the extended 2m4f Grade 1 Ryanair at Cheltenham last month isn't that persuasive either.

50/1

3rd

1

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

16:00 Cheltenham

Banbridge

11st 10lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Won the Martin Pipe over hurdles at this meeting in 2022 as well as a novice chase here that year, but Kempton is where his heart lies, having won the Grade 1 King George (3m, good) in 2024 and gone desperately close in the same race (first-time visor, retained here) on Boxing Day; however, he's been beaten a long way out at the last two Festivals, in this race and the Gold Cup, and a flat track may now be ideal; has something to prove.

6/1

4th

1

30th Apr 2025

Yielding

3m 0f 213y

17:30 Punchestown

Banbridge

11st 10lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

jumped left on occasions, raced in third, went second 6th, struggling and lost second 3 out, weakening when lost third before 2 out, tailed off

4/1

Form: 256-23 CD

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 159

Form & Verdict
Won this in 2022 (soft) and second in the Gold Cup next time; hasn't hit the same heights since and has to produce more than he's managed on his two runs this term, but those were fair efforts and he ran creditably when second in this 12 months ago (good); each-way chance back here.
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: 2F13-2 D

Last run: 59 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 165

Form & Verdict
Bolted up in NH Chase at Cheltenham (3m6f, heavy) in March before good third in Grade 1 Bowl at Aintree (3m1f, soft); highly likely he needed his October comeback run; the hood worn on last three runs is left off; some improvement is probably needed and he's unproven on the forecast good ground, but he's only seven and is in excellent hands; no surprise to see a big run.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

14th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 2f 70y

Class 1

16:00 Cheltenham

Corbetts Cross

11st 10lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Emmet Mullins

Strong stayer who made short work of his rivals in the National Hunt Chase here (3m6f, heavy) last March and showed he could do more than just grind away when close up in the Bowl (3m1f, soft) at Aintree after; unable to go with Banbridge in the home straight in the King George at Kempton (3m) on Boxing Day and his pace was again lacking over 2m5f at Ascot (good) last month, but this test can see him back in a good place; a dollop of rain would help but he isn't a forlorn hope.

20/1

2

15th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 8y

Class 1

15:37 Ascot

Corbetts Cross

11st 10lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: Emmet Mullins

Second-season chaser who never landed a blow in good-ground King George last time (raced mostly on soft/heavy otherwise); not short of stamina, having been successful over 3m6f at the 2024 Cheltenham Festival, but his last attempt over 2m5f resulted in a win; major player provided he copes with the return to this distance and shows best form.

5/2

Form: 3224-1 D

Last run: 54 days

W: 11st 10lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 164

Form & Verdict
Runner-up at Cheltenham in March when bidding to win the Ryanair Chase for the second consecutive season, and landed his ninth Grade 1 win in the Champion Chase at Down Royal (3m, good to yielding) last month; this 10yo was tailed off in this race in 2022 but is not ruled out each-way today.
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: 1-3134 D

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 148

Form & Verdict
Trained in France (stable also runs Il Est Francais); has done well this year having changed stables and he travelled well and was bang there jumping the final fence in the competitive Coral Gold Cup Handicap at Newbury (3m2f, good to soft) last month, only to fade into fourth; there's a firm suspicion he'll be vulnerable now back up in grade; wears a reapplied hood and first-time cheekpieces.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

30th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

3m 1f 214y

Class 1

15:00 Newbury

General En Chef

11st 8lb

J: Benjamin Gelhay

T: Noel George & Amanda Zetterholm

Trained in France; versatile sort who has a record of 3-6, including 2m3f Grade 3 success, since joining the George/Zetterholm stable and was placed in the 3m6f 'Grand Steep' a few outings back; useful and in-form chaser who could go well.

12/1

Form: 2113-2 C BF

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 165

Form & Verdict
Highly progressive novice chaser last term, winning the Grade 1 Turners at the Cheltenham Festival (2m4f, soft); effective on good to soft, unraced on good, and won here over hurdles on this day in 2022; had a very hard race on his reappearance when creditable second in the Grade 1 Betfair Chase at Haydock (3m1f, soft) 33 days ago but could play a leading role if that hasn't left its mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 200y

Class 1

15:30 Aintree

Grey Dawning

11st 10lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Two Grade 1 wins, namely the 2m4f novice chase at the 2024 Cheltenham Festival (soft) and this season's Betfair Chase at Haydock (3m1f, good to soft); ran well for a long way before fading into fourth in last month's Gold Cup at Cheltenham (3m2f, good to soft); this drop back in trip could well be a positive move; effective here and respected in first-time cheekpieces.

2/1

4th

5

13th Mar 2026

Good

3m 2f 70y

Class 1

16:00 Cheltenham

Grey Dawning

11st 10lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Won the 2m4f novice chase at the 2024 Festival (soft) and added a second Grade 1 win in the Betfair Chase at Haydock (3m1f, good to soft) this season; a mistake two out proved costly when 5l third of four to Spillane's Tower in the Grade 2 Cotswold Chase here (3m1f, soft) in January and he rallied up the hill; however, he may just lack the required class today.

12/1

3rd

1

24th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 1f 56y

Class 1

14:25 Cheltenham

Grey Dawning

11st 10lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Top-class 9yo, successful in ten of his 18 races; better than ever on his last two starts, winning Betfair Chase at Haydock (3m1f, good to soft) on reappearance with plenty in hand; has run well on both his outings at Cheltenham; again looks the one to beat.

8/13

Form: 115-1P CD BF

Last run: 39 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 156

Form & Verdict
Trained in France (stablemate of General En Chef); has flopped at Auteuil on two of his last three starts (pulled up there last month, reportedly burst a blood vessel); arrives with something to prove but he won a Grade 3 at Auteuil (2m6f, heavy) in September and could be tough to beat if in the same brilliant form that saw him make all by 11l in the Grade 1 Kauto Star Novices' Chase over C&D (good) on this card 12 months ago.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 1

16:05 Aintree

Il Est Francais

12st 0lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Tom George

Front-runner who is well handicapped on form shown as recently as December 2024, when runner-up in the King George at Kempton (3m, good), and he'll be a thrilling sight over these fences if back on song following wind surgery; however, pulled up on his last two starts and has plenty to prove.

16/1

6th

6

13th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

15:20 Cheltenham

Il Est Francais

11st 10lb

J: James Reveley

T: Noel George & Amanda Zetterholm

prominent

3/1

Form: 11-U13

Last run: 39 days

W: 11st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 152

Form & Verdict
French trained; has won eight of his 14 races, including Grade 1 4yo chase in May 2023 and three Grade 3s since; this 5yo could have more to offer and his yard had a Grade 2 novice hurdle winner at Cheltenham this month, but a sizeable chunk of improvement is needed in this illustrious field.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: U/124- D

Last run: 286 days

W: 11st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 167

Form & Verdict
Jumped to the left in this two years ago (soft; in second when unseating at final fence) and soundly beaten fourth in the Gold Cup at Cheltenham (3m2f, soft) in March when last seen; however, has an excellent record when fresh and landed a quality chase at Lingfield (2m6f, soft) on last season's comeback; won two Grade 1 novice chases in 2022 (good to soft/soft) and not ruled out for yard with tremendous big-race record in recent months.
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

Form: 121-12 D

Last run: 32 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 165

Form & Verdict
All starts have been on softer than good; completed Grade 1 double in the spring (2m4f/3m1f, heavy/yielding), the second leg in the Champion Novice Chase at Punchestown, and he improved again to finish a close second in a red-hot running of the Grade 1 John Durkan Memorial at Punchestown (2m3f, soft) last month; this exciting 6yo could continue to progress now back up in trip; appealing claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

9th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:55 Aintree

Spillanes Tower

11st 10lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: James Joseph Mangan

Won two Grade 1s in Ireland in spring 2024 during novice chase campaign (2m4f/3m1f, heavy/yielding) and posted first win since in the Grade 2 Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham (3m1f, soft) this January; he was receiving 6lb from close runner-up L'Homme Presse last time and others in this have achieved more, but he's only eight and could still have improvement to come.

5/1

1st

4

24th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 1f 56y

Class 1

14:25 Cheltenham

Spillanes Tower

11st 4lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: James Joseph Mangan

Won two Grade 1s as a novice chaser, including over 3m1f at Punchestown in April 2024; no match for Galopin Des Champs in Punchestown Gold Cup 12 months later and he's been campaigned over shorter trips and hurdles since (not disgraced back at Punchestown on New Year's Eve); not easy to pin down but he should be suited by this return to fences and 3m+.

100/30

Form: 2P5-U1 D

Last run: 54 days

W: 11st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 159

Form & Verdict
Made all in Grade 1 novice chase at the Cheltenham Festival (3m, soft) in March 2023 and, having drawn a blank last season (10l fourth in this), he returned to winning ways in the Grade 2 Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby (3m, good) last month; his stable is flying and he could make another bold bid but a career best is needed if he's to follow up now back up in grade.
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

Betting Forcast

5/1 Banbridge, 14/1 Bravemansgame, 14/1 Corbetts Cross, 12/1 Envoi Allen, 50/1 General En Chef, 9/2 Grey Dawning, 4/1 Il Est Francais, 20/1 Juntos Ganamos, 10/1 LHomme Presse, 100/30 Spillanes Tower, 20/1 The Real Whacker

Selections

The Sun:

Il Est Francais

RP RATINGS:

Banbridge

SPOTLIGHT:

Spillane's Tower

TOPSPEED:

L'Homme Presse

The Guardian:

Grey Dawning

Telegraph:

The Real Whacker

WEST COUNTRY:

Bravemansgame

D Express:

Envoi Allen

The Times:

Spillane's Tower

The Star:

Il Est Francais

Daily Record:

Il Est Francais

POSTDATA:

Banbridge

Daily Mirror:

Banbridge

Daily Mail:

L'Homme Presse