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14:30 Kempton

Thursday 26 December 2024

All12:4513:2013:5514:3015:0515:40

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

Off time: 14:31 | Winning time: 5m 55.2s

Settings

Selected odds by:

Banbridge^p¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: P Townend| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 165| C

7/1

Landed 2m Grade 1 at Punchestown in April. Disappointing when well-held fourth on Navan return in November but in the process of producing a career best when unseating at the last in 2m Cork Grade 2 18 days ago, keeping on in close second behind Energumene at the time. Player if his stamina holds.

Form: 1/191-4U

Bravemansgame^b³³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 159| BF| CD

14/1

Won this in 2022 and second last year. Not at best when behind some of these rivals in Charlie Hall at Wetherby and Betfair Chase at Haydock this season but a good C&D record (also won the Kauto Star) makes him a dangerous one to discount. The first-time blinkers worn at Haydock are retained.

Form: 2256-23

Corbetts Cross⁵⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr Derek O'Connor| T: E Mullins| OR: 166| D

17/2

High-class chaser who landed National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham in March before a fine third of 7 to Gerri Colombe in Bowl Chase at Aintree (25f, soft) the following month. Made a satisfactory return to action at Wexford in October.

Form: 12F13-2

Envoi Allen^t⁵⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 164| D

14/1

Three-time Cheltenham Festival winner. Drew a blank last season but back to winning ways when seeing off Hewick by ½ length in 3m Down Royal Grade 1 on reappearance. Thereabouts.

Form: 4/3224-1

General En Chef^p1,h1²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Benjamin Gelhay| T: N George & A Zetterholm| OR: 148| BF

25/1

Smart French chaser who was a fine third in the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris at Auteuil in May. Ran well on form but didn't find much after travelling best when fourth in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury last time. Has a first-time cheekpieces and refitted hood combination tried after that.

Form: 11-3134

Grey Dawning³³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 165| BF| C| D

13/2

Took really well to fences last term, including winning Grade 1 at Cheltenham. Good 2 lengths second to Royale Pagaille in Betfair Chase at Haydock (25.5f, heavy) on reappearance 33 days ago, outstayed after travelling best. There are even bigger performances in this 7-y-o who is unexposed at 3m.

Form: 12113-2

Il Est Francais³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: J Reveley| T: N George & A Zetterholm| BF| CD

9/2

Looked very good with a dominant front-running display in the Kauto Star on this card last year. Back to that level with a sparkling reappearance win at Auteuil in September but pulled up in a Group 1 back there 7 weeks later (reported to have suffered a pulmonary haemorrhage).

Form: 1115-1P

Juntos Ganamos^t1³⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Felix de Giles| T: D Cottin| OR: 159

16/1

Raced solely at Auteuil on soft/heavy ground, winning 8 of his 9 completed starts over fences, including Group 3 in October. Better than result when 11 lengths third to Gran Diose in Group 1 last time, losing ground after mistake 5 out but unable to sustain renewed effort on run-in. Should stay 3m.

Form: F11-F13

L'Homme Presse²⁸⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 167| D

14/1

Top-class chaser who had just been headed when unseating at the last in this race 2 years ago. Did enough to think he retains all his ability back from an absence early this year, including fourth in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. His yard's good form is a plus but left-handed tracks seem to suit better.

Form: 31U/124-

Spillane's Tower³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: M P Walsh| T: J J Mangan| OR: 165

11/4

Won a pair of Grade 1 novice chases in the spring, including over 3m. Improved again when ½-length second of 8 to Fact To File in a very strong renewal of the John Durkan on 2½m Punchestown reappearance 32 days ago. Should have even more to offer back at 3m. Leading claims.

Form: 11211-2

The Real Whacker^t⁵⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: G Sheehan| T: P Neville| OR: 159| D

14/1

Came up short at the top table last season (including 10 lengths fourth in this) but back to his best when making all in the Charlie Hall at Wetherby (3m, good) 54 days ago. Will find this harder to dominate.

Form: 42P5-U1

Forecasts

Spillane's Tower (11/4), Il Est Francais (9/2), Grey Dawning (13/2), Banbridge (7/1), Corbetts Cross (17/2), L'Homme Presse (14/1), The Real Whacker (14/1), Bravemansgame (14/1), Envoi Allen (14/1), Juntos Ganamos (16/1), General En Chef (25/1)

SPILLANE'S TOWER made a very encouraging return to action in the John Durkan and looks the way to go with further progress likely now back at 3m. Banbridge was giving Energumene a race when unseating at the last at Cork 18 days ago and, with ground conditions likely to be ideal for him, could give the selection most do if his stamina holds now tackling 3m for only the second time in his career. Betfair Chase runner-up Grey Dawning looks best of the British.