King George VI Chase tips and runners guide to Kempton 2.30

*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change

Paul Nicholls fires three darts at the King George VI Chase as the Ditcheat trainer bids to saddle a record-extending 13th winner in the prestigious Grade 1.

Frodon was first past the post in 2020 and attempts to regain his crown but younger stablemates Bravemansgame, who landed the Charlie Hall last time out, and Hitman are among the market principals.

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The other leading fancies include Venetia Williams’ Brown Advisory winner L’Homme Presse and Irish runner Envoi Allen, who bounced back to his best form when scoring in the Down Royal Champion Chase last month.

King George VI Chase odds can be found on the Paddy Power website, Paddy Power app or via our snazzy betting widgets, otherwise Timeform’s horse-by-horse guide to the runners and betting tips from the racing boffins are below.

King George VI Chase runners

Ahoy Senor

Trainer: Lucinda Russell Jockey: Derek Fox Age: 7 Weight: 11st 10lbs

No match for Bravemansgame in Kauto Star on this card last year but had that rival and L’Homme Presse behind him when winning Aintree Grade 1 on final start last season. Disappointed behind Bravemansgame in Charlie Hall on return but back on track when third in Many Clouds at Aintree since.

***

Bravemansgame

Trainer: Paul Nicholls Jockey: Harry Cobden Age: 7 Weight: 11st 10lbs

Disappointed in Aintree Grade 1 novice on final start last season but that’s his only defeat in 6 outings over fences, bouncing back in good style when 3½ lengths too strong for Eldorado Allen in Charlie Hall on Wetherby reappearance. Much respected for trainer with outstanding record in this.

****

Eldorado Allen

Trainer: Joe Tizzard Jockey: Brendan Powell Age: 8 Weight: 11st 10lbs

Landed Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter and Denman Chase (beat Royale Pagaille) at Newbury last season. Good runner-up efforts in the Charlie Hall at Wetherby (beaten 3½ lengths by Bravemansgame) and Betfair at Haydock this term but surely more a place than win contender.

***

Envoi Allen

Trainer: Henry De Bromhead Jockey: Rachael Blackmore Age: 8 Weight: 11st 10lbs

Came up short in top company over 2m in the spring but he got his career firmly back on track when stepped up to 3m on his Down Royal reappearance, seeing off Kemboy by 1¾ lengths in that Grade 1 contest. Unlikely to be too far away if showing up in similar form.

****

Frodon

Trainer: Paul Nicholls Jockey: Bryony Frost Age: 10 Weight: 11st 10lbs

High-class front-running chaser who won the 2020 running of this. Badger Beer win at Wincanton last month but shows he’s still very capable as he closes in on his 11th birthday but he was beaten 18½ lengths when third (Eldorado Allen second) in Betfair at Haydock since.

Hitman

Trainer: Paul Nicholls Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies Age: 6 Weight: 11st 10lbs

Very talented sort who was the easy winner of a 21.5f Haydock graduation event last month. However, he’s always found the odd one too strong at Graded level and isn’t certain to benefit from the step up to 3m.

***

L’Homme Presse

Trainer: Venetia Williams Jockey: Charlie Deutsch Age: 7 Weight: 11st 10lbs

Top novice last season and produced a high-class handicap performance when pushed out to win the Rehearsal at Newcastle (3m, good) on his reappearance a month ago. Could be even more to come and the one to beat.

*****

Millers Bank

Trainer: Alex Hales Jockey: Jonathan Burke Age: 8 Weight: 11st 10lbs

Grade 1 novice chase winner at Aintree last spring and has confirmed himself a very smart chaser when runner-up in Carlisle listed and Huntingdon Grade 2 on his last 2 outings. This demands more, though, and he’s also yet to prove he stays 3m. Cheekpieces on first time.

Royale Pagaille

Trainer: Venetia Williams Jockey: Tom Scudamore Age: 8 Weight: 11st 10lbs

C&D winner was has posted high-class handicap performances when winning the last 2 runnings of the Peter Marsh at Haydock. Last year’s season’s second in Betfair Chase and fifth in Cheltenmham Gold Cup show he can be competitive in top company but he needs more for the win.

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