HARRY SKELTON will carry the hopes of Britain in a seismic clash against the Irish in this year’s King George VI Chase at Kempton.
Brother Dan’s Grey Dawning headlines the home challenge – while it is recent John Durkan Chase runner-up Spillane’s Tower who travels across the sea as the main Irish threat.
Grey Dawning was the long-time ante-post favourite for the King George but was usurped by Spillane’s Tower with most firms after confirmations[/caption]
You’ll find every King George runner and rider below, plus an early tip.
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The big race will be shown live on ITV1 as part of their massive Festive racing offering.
And the £250,000 contest – won last year by Hewick, who will not defend his crown – is due off at 2.30pm on Boxing Day.
King George VI Chase declared runners and riders
Banbridge
Jockey: Paul Townend
Trainer: Joseph O’Brien
Bravemansgame
Jockey: Harry Cobden
Trainer: Paul Nicholls
Corbetts Cross
Jockey: Derek O’Connor
Trainer: Emmet Mullins
Envoi Allen
Jockey: Rachael Blackmore
Trainer: Henry de Bromhead
General En Chef
Jockey: Benjamin Gelhay
Trainer: Noel George and Amanda Zetterholm
Grey Dawning
Jockey: Harry Skelton
Trainer: Dan Skelton
Il Est Francais
Jockey: James Reveley
Trainer: Noel George and Amanda Zetterholm
Juntos Ganamos
Jockey: Felix de Giles
Trainer: David Cottin
L’Homme Presse
Jockey: Charlie Deutsch
Trainer: Venetia Williams
Spillane’s Towner
Jockey: Mark Walsh
Trainer: Jimmy Mangan
The Real Whacker
Jockey: Gavin Sheehan
Trainer: Patrick Neville
King George Chase odds via Coral
7-2 Il Est Francais, Spillane’s Tower
9-2 Grey Dawning
6-1 Banbridge
11-1 L’Homme Presse, Corbetts Cross
12-1 Envoi Allen
18-1 The Real Whacker
20-1 Bravemansgame, Juntos Ganamos
66-1 General En Chef
Coral’s David Stevens said: “This year’s Ladbrokes King George is a festive treat for racing fans, with 11 top class chasers lining up, and it’s also a wide open renewal, with Il Est Francais for France and Ireland’s Spillane’s Tower currently locked together at the head of our betting, with Grey Dawning leading the home challenge.”
King George Chase tip
Having been a previous backer of Gaelic Warrior at 12-1 for this race, I was ready to wash my hands of the King George.
A few weeks ago it looked a desperately weak renewal, especially up against the star-studded Savills Chase on December 28 which will see Fact To File lock horns in a rematch with Galopin Des Champs.
But it is the horse who finished between them in the John Durkan who will take the world of beating at Kempton.
Jack Kennedy, to my eye, didn’t get overly animated on Spillane’s Tower in that crackerjack of a 2m4f contest at Punchestown.
He was closing on winner Fact To File all the way and brushed past Galopin Des Champs and a weakening Fastorslow with ease.
I must admit to having a soft spot for Spillane’s Tower since his Grade 1 win at Punchestown in April.
But everything about this horse suggests he is still improving.
The seamless step up to open company, the proven form over 3m, the owner, the jockey… the only worry is the ground.
I wouldn’t be totally surprised if JP McManus pulls the plug before the off and NRs Spillane’s Tower.
But that’s the risk we take – and it was a risk that was worth taking at 8-1.
He is still a bet at around 3-1 in the big one.
Grey Dawning is top class but he was totally legless at the end of the Betfair Chase and I think that will have left a mark, regardless of trainer Dan Skelton’s comments.
I don’t really fancy Banbridge over the trip with the real guts of the race developing over the final couple of furlongs.
Who knows what the hell is going on with Il Est Francais – not many horses would count a seemingly crucial vet check a few weeks before their biggest race of the year as ideal prep.
The Real Whacker is a bit of a dark horse and I can see him grabbing a place, while I’m willing to discount Corbetts Cross with his jumping and Envoi Allen, on account of his age. No offence.
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