The King George VI Chase promises to be a Christmas cracker after the prestigious race attracted its biggest field in 15 years.
Spillane’s Tower spearheads the significant Irish challenge at Kempton after Jimmy Mangan’s stable star – last seen finishing an impressive second behind Fact To File in the John Durkan – was supplemented.
The JP McManus colours will also be carried by Corbetts Cross, who loves a stamina test after scooting to glory in last term’s National Hunt Chase.
Banbridge, who steps up in trip but will relish the conditions, and multiple Grade 1 winner Envoi Allen also make the trip over from Ireland, although the hero of last year’s renewal, Hewick, is absent.
Grey Dawning gets the green light from trainer Dan Skelton after placing second in last month’s gruelling Betfair Chase.
Bravemansgame attempts to regain the title won in 2022, L’Homme Presse makes his first appearance since placing fourth in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, while Charlie Hall scorer The Real Whacker – ridden by last term’s winning jockey Gavin Sheehan – completes the home charge.
There are also a trio of French raiders in Thursday’s 14:30 as General En Chef, C&D scorer Il Est Francais and Juntos Ganamos take aim at the festive prize.
The latest King George VI Chase odds are on the Paddy Power website and Paddy Power app, otherwise Timeform’s guide to the runners as well as betting tips from the racing boffins can be found below.
King George VI Chase 2024 verdict
Timeform: 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.
*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
King George VI Chase 2024 runners and riders
The following horses have been declared for the King George VI Chase 2024.
Banbridge
Trainer: 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 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.
****
Bravemansgame
Trainer: Paul Nicholls Jockey: Harry Cobden Age: 9 Weight: 11st 10lbs
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.
***
Corbetts Cross
Trainer: Emmet Mullins Jockey: Mr D. O’Connor Age: 7 Weight: 11st 10lbs
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.
***
Envoi Allen
Trainer: Henry de Bromhead Jockey: Rachael Blackmore Age: 10 Weight: 11st 10lbs
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.
****
General En Chef
Trainer: N. George & A. Zetterholm Jockey: Benjamin Gelhay Age: 8 Weight: 11st 10lbs
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.
**
Grey Dawning
Trainer: Dan Skelton Jockey: Harry Skelton Age: 7 Weight: 11st 10lbs
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.
****
Il Est Francais
Trainer: N. George & A. Zetterholm Jockey: James Reveley Age: 6 Weight: 11st 10lbs
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).
***
Juntos Ganamos
Trainer: David Cottin Jockey: Felix de Giles Age: 5 Weight: 11st 10lbs
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.
**
L’Homme Presse
Trainer: Venetia Williams Jockey: Charlie Deutsch Age: 9 Weight: 11st 10lbs
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.
***
Spillane’s Tower
Trainer: James Joseph Mangan Jockey: M. P. Walsh Age: 6 Weight: 11st 10lbs
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.
*****
The Real Whacker
Trainer: Patrick Neville Jockey: Gavin Sheehan Age: 8 Weight: 11st 10lbs
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.
**
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