The biggest field for 15 years has been declared for the 2024 King George VI Chase. Providing a festive punting puzzle for the masses, GG’s in-house tipster Joe Napier previews the runners and riders, and gives his verdict.
In a hugely dramatic finale to the 2023 race, Hewick pounced late to deny Bravemansgame and Allaho after Shishkin had unseated upon stumbling after the second last.
SPILLANE’S TOWER
(James Joseph Mangan/Mark Walsh)
Hailing from a novice chase season in which he simply kept on improving, Spillane’s Tower has already achieved what so many second season chasers struggle to do: prove himself in open company. His runner-up effort behind Fact To File in the John Durkan Memorial Chase saw him finish ahead of Gold Cup hero Galopin Des Champs and Punchestown specialist Fastorslow in his first race since graduating.
He looked like swooping past them all halfway up the run-in, but though he could not get by, there was no shame in such a gallant effort. He concluded his novice season by winning a 3m1f Grade 1 at Punchestown, so clearly has the stamina reserves for this sharper test. As long as the ground is not too lively, his trainer is determined to run, but even with a dry forecast, enough watering should ensure his participation.
GREY DAWNING
(Dan Skelton/Harry Skelton)
The leader of the British brigade, Grey Dawning was also a runner-up on his first start in his second season chasing. In contrast to Spillane’s Tower though, his came in a battlefield slog, as he was only overcome late on by Haydock lover Royale Pagaille in the Betfair Chase having led over the final fence.
Starts on ground quicker than soft have been few and far between for Dan Skelton’s grey, but a slightly swifter examination should suit better than Haydock’s attritional 3m1½f. His Grade 1-winning form at Cheltenham last term is still very solid form and he looks likely to remain competitive throughout the staying season, although whether he quite has enough to win this strong edition of a King George is debatable.
IL EST FRANCAIS
(Noel George & Amanda Zetterholm/James Reveley)
Profiling any other runner may be pointless if the same version of Il Est Francais turns up as at last year’s meeting. The six-year-old arrived at Kempton for the 2023 Kauto Star Novices’ Chase with a tall reputation, but lived up to an even greater one by pulverising his five rivals by 11 lengths after a sumptuous jumping display.
However, as had been the case once over hurdles, he is prone to an off day. The issue for his pair of trainers to solve is that his off days are dramatic, as he trailed in last of five at Auteuil in April, and was pulled up when tailed off at that venue last month too. He secured a Grade 3 victory in between, but he is distinctly unreliable, for all he could make a mockery of his opposition from the front once again.
BANBRIDGE
(Joseph O’Brien/Paul Townend)
With Paul Townend due across to ride Lossiemouth in the Christmas Hurdle, Joseph O’Brien has given him the call up on Banbridge, which is a notable statement of intent. The chestnut has not faced a trip this far over fences, but with Kempton’s 3m being on the easy side, especially on the likely good ground, it is possible this will suit him better than the 2m races he has been contesting so far this season.
At his best, Banbridge is very talented, winning two Grade 1s, including over the minimum trip at Punchestown in April. HIs reappearance this term was too bad to be true, and so it proved when he was giving two-time Champion Chase Energumene a real fright at Cork latest, conceding him 10lb. With Townend aboard, he looks to have a part to play.
King George VI Chase Runners 2024 – 11 Declared to Dazzle at Kempton
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…
Thu 26 Dec 2024THE FIELD
There is a former winner in the race, though Bravemansgame has not won since his 2022 victory. That gap now spans nine races, and he has not been close to his best on two starts this season, for all this track and trip could reignite some spark given he was also second in the race last year. His Charlie Hall conqueror The Real Whacker has been supplemented and declared here having been fourth in 2023, though also looks an unlikely winner unless he can somehow wrestle control from the front.
L’Homme Presse would have finished second to Bravemansgame two years back but for unseating Charlie Deutsch at the last. His leftward jumping habit has not been calmed with age, so this orientation of track will always cause a few issues, but his fourth in the Gold Cup showed he retains plenty of ability, and this has been his trainer’s target for him all season.
Among the Irish runners, Corbetts Cross is more than capable on his best day and will strip much fitter for his reappearance. He may find this challenge slightly too lively though, especially as he is far from the slickest jumper, though on the contrary, Envoi Allen should be well-suited to Kempton’s 3m despite bombing in the race in 2022. However, he is worth giving one more chance to after winning his tenth Grade 1 at Down Royal in November and the fire very much still burns.
Il Est Francais’ compatriots are more difficult to weigh up. Juntos Ganamos has Grade 1 winning form, but has also fallen or unseated on three of his last eight starts. David Cottin did supplement him though, so there must be some confidence behind his chances, though General En Chef has already had a prep in this country, finishing a worthy fourth in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury. He travelled very well that day, and this will stretch his stamina less, but he would still need more here.
VERDICT
A lot hinges on the form of Il Est Francais, who was blisteringly brilliant in the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase last season, but two blips from three starts since temper enthusiasm, while his compatriot Juntos Ganamos could be anything. Going on recent form, the best belongs to SPILLANE’S TOWER, whose second in the John Durkan at Punchestown was an almighty effort on his first start in open company. It is doubtful any in this line-up would have achieved that level of form, and with enough pace in the race to ensure stamina comes into play, he could be very tough to beat. Banbridge is feared most, as he has long appealed as a type for this contest, and will have his ground. L’Homme Presse has had this as his target since the autumn and will be thereabouts on his Gold Cup form, so is preferred of the British-trained runners over Grey Dawning, who may not be over his Haydock exploits, while Envoi Allen is worth forgiving his horror show in this two years ago, as Kempton should suit the veteran in the field.
- Spillane’s Tower
- Banbridge
- L’Homme Presse
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