The King George VI Chase guarantees to be a Christmas cracker after the distinguished race attracted its largest area in 15 years.
Spillane’s Tower spearheads the numerous Irish problem at Kempton after Jimmy Mangan’s secure star – final seen ending a powerful second behind Truth To File within the John Durkan – was supplemented.
The JP McManus colors may even be carried by Corbetts Cross, who loves a stamina check after scooting to glory in final time period’s Nationwide Hunt Chase.
Banbridge, who steps up in journey however will relish the situations, and a number of Grade 1 winner Envoi Allen additionally make the journey over from Eire, though the hero of final yr’s renewal, Hewick, is absent.
Gray Dawning will get the inexperienced mild from coach Dan Skelton after inserting second in final month’s gruelling Betfair Chase.
Bravemansgame makes an attempt to regain the title received in 2022, L’Homme Presse makes his first look since inserting fourth within the Cheltenham Gold Cup, whereas Charlie Corridor scorer The Actual Whacker – ridden by final time period’s successful jockey Gavin Sheehan – completes the house cost.
There are additionally a trio of French raiders in Thursday’s 14:30 as Basic En Chef, C&D scorer Il Est Francais and Juntos Ganamos take goal on the festive prize.
The most recent King George VI Chase odds are on the Paddy Energy web site and Paddy Energy app, in any other case Timeform’s information to the runners in addition to betting ideas from the racing boffins will be discovered beneath.
King George VI Chase 2024 verdict
Timeform: made a really encouraging return to motion within the John Durkan and appears the way in which to go together with additional progress probably now again at 3m. Banbridge was giving Energumene a race when unseating on the final at Cork 18 days in the past and, with floor situations more likely to be preferrred for him, might give the choice most do if his stamina holds now tackling 3m for under the second time in his profession. Betfair Chase runner-up Gray Dawning appears better of the British.
*All costs are bang updated with our snazzy widgets, whereas odds in copy are correct at time of publishing however topic to alter
King George VI Chase 2024 runners and riders
The next horses have been declared for the King George VI Chase 2024.
Banbridge
Coach: Joseph Patrick O’Brien Jockey: Paul Townend Age: 8 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Landed 2m Grade 1 at Punchestown in April. Disappointing when well-held fourth on Navan return in November however within the course of of manufacturing a profession greatest when unseating on the final in 2m Cork Grade 2 18 days in the past, holding on in shut second behind Energumene on the time. Participant if his stamina holds.
****
Bravemansgame
Coach: Paul Nicholls Jockey: Harry Cobden Age: 9 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Received this in 2022 and second final yr. Not at greatest when behind a few of these rivals in Charlie Corridor at Wetherby and Betfair Chase at Haydock this season however C&D report (additionally received the Kauto Star) makes him a harmful one to low cost. The primary-time blinkers worn at Haydock are retained.
***
Corbetts Cross
Coach: Emmet Mullins Jockey: Mr D. O’Connor Age: 7 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Excessive-class chaser who landed Nationwide Hunt Chase at Cheltenham in March earlier than a wonderful third of seven to Gerri Colombe in Bowl Chase at Aintree (25f, comfortable) the next month. Made a passable return to motion at Wexford in October.
***
Envoi Allen
Coach: Henry de Bromhead Jockey: Rachael Blackmore Age: 10 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Three-time Cheltenham Pageant winner. Drew a clean final season however again to successful methods when seeing off Hewick by ½ size in 3m Down Royal Grade 1 on reappearance. Thereabouts.
****
Basic En Chef
Coach: N. George & A. Zetterholm Jockey: Benjamin Gelhay Age: 8 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Sensible French chaser who was a wonderful third within the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris at Auteuil in Might. Ran properly on type however didn’t discover a lot after travelling greatest when fourth within the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury final time. Has a first-time cheekpieces and refitted hood mixture tried after that.
**
Gray Dawning
Coach: Dan Skelton Jockey: Harry Skelton Age: 7 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Took very well to fences final time period, together with successful Grade 1 at Cheltenham. Good 2 lengths second to Royale Pagaille in Betfair Chase at Haydock (25.5f, heavy) on reappearance 33 days in the past, outstayed after travelling greatest. There are even larger performances on this 7-y-o who’s unexposed at 3m.
****
Il Est Francais
Coach: N. George & A. Zetterholm Jockey: James Reveley Age: 6 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Regarded superb with a dominant front-running show within the Kauto Star on this card final yr. Again to that stage with a glowing reappearance win at Auteuil in September however pulled up in a Group 1 again there 7 weeks later (reported to have suffered a pulmonary haemorrhage).
***
Juntos Ganamos
Coach: David Cottin Jockey: Felix de Giles Age: 5 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Raced solely at Auteuil on comfortable/heavy floor, successful 8 of his 9 accomplished begins over fences, together with Group 3 in October. Higher than consequence when 11 lengths third to Gran Diose in Group 1 final time, shedding floor after mistake 5 out however unable to maintain renewed effort on run-in. Ought to keep 3m.
**
L’Homme Presse
Coach: Venetia Williams Jockey: Charlie Deutsch Age: 9 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Prime-class chaser who had simply been headed when unseating on the final on this race 2 years in the past. Did sufficient to suppose he retains all his skill again from an absence early this yr, together with fourth within the Cheltenham Gold Cup. His yard’s good type is a plus however left-handed tracks appear to swimsuit higher.
***
Spillane’s Tower
Coach: James Joseph Mangan Jockey: M. P. Walsh Age: 6 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Received a pair of Grade 1 novice chases within the spring, together with over 3m. Improved once more when ½-length second of 8 to Truth To File in a really sturdy renewal of the John Durkan on 2½m Punchestown reappearance 32 days in the past. Ought to have much more to supply again at 3m. Main claims.
*****
The Actual Whacker
Coach: Patrick Neville Jockey: Gavin Sheehan Age: 8 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Got here up quick on the prime desk final season (together with 10 lengths fourth on this) however again to his greatest when making all within the Charlie Corridor at Wetherby (3m, good) 54 days in the past. Will discover this more durable to dominate.
**
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