11 runners have been declared for the 2024 King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day. They include the well-backed favourite Spillane’s Tower, who had been supplemented by trainer James Joseph Mangan earlier in the week after beginning his season with a fine runner-up effort in the John Durkan Chase at Punchestown.
He finished ahead of two-time Gold Cup winner Galopin Des Champs that day, but will not be the only Irish challenger should the confirmations all hold firm later in the week. Banbridge will step up in trip for Joseph O’Brien having won a Grade 1 over 2m last season, while National Hunt Chase hero Corbetts Cross, and ten-time top level winner Envoi Allen have also stood their ground.
The multi-national flavour of the event is only heightened by three entries from France. Juntos Ganamos was supplemented by David Cottin on Monday, and he will joins compatriot Il Est Francais and General En Chef, the former of whom was an emphatic winner of the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase on the card a year ago, while the latter was fourth in the Coral Gold Cup last month.
The other supplementary entry was Charlie Hall winner The Real Whacker, who finished fourth in the race last season. He is among four declarationa for British yards, headlined by their chief Cheltenham Gold Cup hope Grey Dawning. Dan Skelton’s charge was overhauled in the Betfair Chase by former King George runner-up Royale Pagaille at Haydock on his return, with the winner having been taken out of this contest at the final stage.
2022 King George hero Bravemansgame remains on a retrieval mission as he looks for a first victory since that day. Gold Cup fourth L’Homme Presse does ensure Venetia Williams has a runner in the race, though the biggest absentee was last year’s winner Hewick, who was not declared by Tara Lee Cogan.
14:30 Kempton
GoodLadbrokes King George VI Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race)
- First Prize: £148098.47
- 3m 0f 0y
- Class 1
- 11 runners
- Win time: 5m 55s
5/1 (Won)
- Win: £8.00
- Place: £2.50
held up in rear, good headway from 4 out, went second 3 out, soon pushed along, ridden after 2 out, good jump last, soon led, kept on well
4/1
- Place: £2.20
jumped well, took keen hold, led, clear 3rd, reduced lead 2 out, not fluent last, soon headed and no extra
10/1
- Place: £2.50
jumped left on occasions, midfield on outer, headway 4 out, briefly went second home turn, kept on but no match for first two
20/1
raced in second on outer, chased clear leader 3rd, lost position 4 out, not fluent 2 out, rallied run-in, went fourth final strides
3/1
towards rear, hampered 1st, some headway 3 out, went fourth before 2 out, not fluent last, no extra and lost fourth final strides
16/1
held up in rear, some headway 3 out, not pace to challenge
25/1
didn’t always jump with fluency, never better than midfield
11/1
jumped left on occasions, raced in third, prominent behind clear leader 4th, lost second home turn, soon weakened
50/1
always behind
10/1
in touch with leaders, jumped right and hampered rival 1st, towards rear when mistake and unseated 5 out
11/2
towards rear, bad mistake 1st, some headway 5 out, weakened quickly after 4 out, pulled up after 3 out (jockey said gelding made a bad mistake at 1st and never travelled thereafter; vet had nothing to report)
+o+e Betting Returns
| Payout | |
|---|---|
| Exacta | £385.00 |
| Straight Forecast | £396.10 |
| Tricast | £4352.00 |
| Trifecta | £5631.00 |
Selections
The Guardian:
Grey DawningTelegraph:
The Real WhackerWEST COUNTRY:
BravemansgameD Express:
Envoi AllenThe Times:
Spillane’s TowerThe Star:
Il Est FrancaisDaily Record:
Il Est FrancaisPOSTDATA:
BanbridgeDaily Mirror:
BanbridgeDaily Mail:
L’Homme Presse