14:30
Kempton
Odds correct as of 8:42pm 23rd Dec
There’s a seemingly endless amount of racing action on Boxing Day but Kempton‘s six-race King George VI Chase card is undoubtedly the highlight. There are no fewer than three Grade 1 races on the card and a field of 11 has been declared for the King George, which is a wide-open renewal. Here we take a look at the chances of each runner, consider key trends and provide a free 10/1 tip. Why not check out our free tips page for content across British and Irish racing or our daily greyhound tips.
1. Banbridge
Joseph O’Brien’s runner is a talented horse on his day and will like it if the ground stays on the quicker side. This is his first attempt at three miles and he shouldn’t be ruled out, with Paul Townend on board.
2. Bravemansgame
Winner of this race back in 2022, he was a little unlucky last year but it would appear that this level is beyond him nowadays.
3. Corbetts Cross
Emmet Mullins’ seven-year-old was a fair novice last term but there are question marks about the ground and frankly he has a bit to prove at this level.
4. Envoi Allen
Very talented on his day, Envoi Allen is best fresh and therefore looks up against it here.
5. General En Chef
A rating of 148 indicates that he’s probably best watched and his stablemate makes more appeal.
6. Grey Dawning
He wasn’t disgraced when finishing second to course specialist Royale Pagaille in the Betfair Chase and will be on the premises here if improving for the run.
7. Il Est Francais
This French raider was an impressive winner of the Kauto Star on this card last year and should be bang in the mix if producing a similar effort this time around.
8. Juntos Ganamos
David Cottin’s five-year-old has produced some decent form in France but a significant amount of improvement is required to feature here.
9. L’Homme Presse (selection)
Venetia Williams and Charlie Deutsch have been firing on all cylinders in the big races recently and this horse was on course to run a huge race before unseating in 2022. Lightly raced for a nine-year-old, there could be more to come.
10. Spillane’s Tower
Irish raider Spillane’s Tower progressed nicely last year and deserves his place at the head of the market, after splitting Fact To File and Galopin Des Champs last time out.
11. The Real Whacker
Patrick Neville’s stable star returned to form when winning the Charlie Hall at Wetherby in October and could outrun his price.
Paul Nicholls has won five of the last 10 renewals of the King George and he runs Bravemansgame, who came out on top in 2022.
This hasn’t been a good race for the veterans in recent years as the oldest winner in the last decade was nine. That could be a bad sign for 10-year-old Envoi Allen, who has underperformed here in the past.
Nine of the last 10 winners had a rating in excess of 160, which suggests that all three French raiders, Bravemansgame and The Real Whacker have a bit to prove.
If you back any of our selections you can watch them live on the free Racing Post app or racingpost.com. Simply log in to one of your bookmaker accounts and click ‘Watch live’ on the racecards.