The 2024 King George VI Chase runners ahead of the big Boxing Day feature are starting to shape up, so SportsCasting’s Andy Newton is on hand to run through each of the Kempton hopefuls as they look to etch their names into the Christmas horse racing hall-of-fame.
King George Chase Runners 2024 Headed By Grey Dawning
Trainer Dan Skelton was the former assistant to 13-time King George VI Chase handler Paul Nicholls, so knows a thing or two about prepping one for this festive feature.
However, since going alone, Skelton is still to win the King George in his own right – that could all change in 2024 as he’s got Grey Dawning, who is heading the market with most of the best horse racing betting sites in the UK.
This striking grey 7 year-old is many people’s fancy for the Boxing Day race and will be trying to become the first grey to win since One Man, who won the race in 1995 and 1996.
While there was, of course, another famous grey winner in recent times – a certain Desert Orchid, who mopped up four wins between 1986 and 1990.
If Grey Dawning can also hold onto the King George Chase favourites berth – this is also a good sign as we’ve seen 50% of the last 22 market leaders reward backers.
However, in the days leading up to the race the JP McManus-owned Spillane’s Tower was supplemented for the King George and is also now disputing the favourites berth.
When Is The King George VI Chase 2024?
📅Date: Thursday 26th December 2024
⌚Time: 2:30pm
🏇Racecourse: Kempton
🔄Trip: 3m
💷Winning Purse: £142,375
📺 TV: ITV / Racing TV
King George VI Chase Runner-by-Runner Guide For Boxing Day Feature
1. AHOY SENOR
Age: 9
Trainer: Lucinda Russell
Form: 362-3P
Scottish raider that is useful on his day, but inconsistent with it. 1/2 a length second to Gerri Colombe in the Aintree Bowl Chase back in April but was last seen being pulled up in the Betfair Chase at Haydock and is now 10 runs without a win, which came in the 2023 Cotswold Chase.
Was also a well beaten 5th to Bravemansgame in the King George in 2022. Overall, plenty to prove, despite being the top-rated in the field.
2. BANBRIDGE
Age: 8
Trainer: Joseph O’Brien
Form: 19-14U
Talented 8 year-old Irish chaser that has won 50% of his 10 career starts. Was in the process of running former Champion Chaser Energumene close at Cork last time until unseating at the last (watch below).
Would prefer better ground, so if the rain stays away that will help his chance but this will be the furthest he’s gone so stamina has to be taken on trust. That said, won well over 2m 4 1/2f in the Silviniaco Conti Chase at Kempton back in January so certainly worth a crack over this yardage. Player.
3. BRAVEMANSGAME
Age: 9
Trainer: Paul Nicholls
Form: 256-23
2022 King George winner that will be trying to become the first horse to regain his Kempton title since Long Run in 2012. Was also runner-up 12 months ago to Hewick so we know this race and track suit – in fact, his form at the Sunbury-on-Thames venue overall reads 1-1-2.
Hails from the all-conquering Paul Nicholls yard, who have won this race 13 times. However, hasn’t won a race since winning this two years ago and so has plenty to prove on a nine-race losing run.
4. CORBETTS CROSS
Age: 7
Trainer: Emmet Mullins
Form: 19-14U
Another big player from Ireland that will be running in the famous JP McManus green and gold silks. Won the NH Chase at the Cheltenham Festival last season easily and was third to Gerri Colombe in the Aintree Bowl. Would have needed the run back when second to Heart Wood at Wexford in October and looks the sort to go well for his Grand National-winning trainer.
Those against him might worry if the ground will be soft enough as all career wins have been on soft/heavy, plus this will be his first run at Kempton. The only win for JP McManus in the King George came back in 2000 with the French-trained First Gold.
5. ENVOI ALLEN
Age: 10
Trainer: Henry De Bromhead
Form: 3224-1
Three-time Cheltenham Festival winner, who was also runner-up in the Ryanair Chase last season. Needs less than £1k to break through the £1m prize money barrier and returned this season better than ever when beating last year’s King George winner Hewick at Down Royal.
Was, however, a poor 7th in the 2022 King George so will need to prove still that the track suits but with 16 career wins (from 27) is a horse that knows were the winning line is. At 10 years-old will be looking to become the oldest winner since Kauto Star in 2011, while there’s only been one winner aged in double-figures since 2004.
6. GENERAL EN CHEF
Age: 8
Trainer: Noel George & Amanda Zetterholm
Form: P2-229
Trained in France by the George and Zetterholm team and will be looking to become the first winner from France since First Gold in 2000. Last seen running a fine fourth in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury but more needed back running at the highest level. Would be a shock winner.
7. GREY DAWNING
Age: 7
Trainer: Dan Skelton
Form: 2113-2
According to the best betting sites in the UK is one of those to beat – being the likely King George VI Chase favourite with Spillane’s Tower, who was recently supplemented for the race.
The good news is that 50% of the last 22 market leaders have won the Kempton race and many are suggesting this grey can be a leading Gold Cup horse in the next few seasons having won the Turners Novices’ Chase last season at the Cheltenham Festival (watch below).
Last seen running second to Royale Pagaille in the Betfair Chase, which was a solid return run and was a hurdles winner at this Kempton meeting in 2022.Has had 33 days to get over that effort, but it was a gruelling race and we’ll have to see if it’s left a mark.
Jumps well and is only 7 and so easy to see why he’ll be popular, plus is yet to finish out of the top three in his seven chase starts. Leading player as trainer Dan Skelton looks for his first win in the race.
8. HEWICK
Age: 9
Trainer: Miss Tara Lee Cogan
Form: 6-3232
Since 2000, the King George VI Chase has thrown up eight repeat winners and Hewick, who won the race in 2023, will be bidding to become the next. This 9 year-old bargain buy that cost just €850 has banked over £740k in prize money and if the rain stays away will certainly have his backers – especially when the ‘once-a-year’ punters remember his name from 12 months ago.
Will be running for the first time under trainer Miss Tara Lee Cogan, with John Joseph Hanlon currently serving a ban, and will be looking become the first back-to-back winner since Clan Des Obeaux in 2018-2019. Certainly one for the shortlist.
9. IL EST FRANCAIS
Age: 6
Trainer: Noel George & Amanda Zetterholm
Form: 115-1P
Entered the King George picture 12 months ago at this meeting with an eye-catching 11-lengths win in the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase. However, has been in-and-out since – winning just one of his last three starts, including being pulled up at Auteuil last time out.
Still only aged 6 though, so remains a staying chaser with plenty more to come, but his tall reputation has somewhat been dented since April.
10. JUNTOS GANAMOS
Age: 5
Trainer: David Cottin
Form: 11-U13
Supplemented for the race the week before. Another French raider that will be looking to become the first winner from France since First Gold in 2000 – with others before that Algan (1994) and The Fellow (1991 & 1992).
The winner of 7 of his 11 starts over fences and will race outside his homeland for the first time. Clearly a promising sort and was a decent Grade Three winner of the Prix Hero XII at Auteuil back in October.
Any rain would be a big help with all races coming on very soft or heavy. However, at just 5 years-old will be looking to become the youngest King George winner since Manicou in 1950.
11. L’HOMME PRESSE
Age: 9
Trainer: Venetia Williams
Form: U/124-
Was running well in the 2022 King George VI Chase until unseating Charlie Deutsch at the last – only a length down at the time, but probably booked for second that day.
Was injured for the whole of 2023 but returned to win at the Winter Millions Lingfield card last January and was a fair 4th in the Gold Cup behind Galopin Des Champs.
Has gone well fresh in the past and the Venetia Williams yard are in tip-top order – is 4-from-4 coming back from a 200+ day break. Has won seven of his 11 chase starts and looks a leading player.
12. ROYALE PAGAILLE (Non-Runner)
Age: 10
Trainer: Venetia Williams
Form: F/1F-1
Another for the in-form Venetia Williams yard and heads here having won his second Betfair Chase at Haydock. If the King George was run at the Lancashire track and on soft ground, he’d probably be favourite – but, that said, has also run second in this in 2022 to Bravemansgame.
However, was likely booked for third until L’Homme Presse unseated late on and was still 14 lengths behind the winner. It’s questionable if Kempton is his track and has fallen in 50% of his last four races. But a likeable chaser that would have place claims again.
The horse is a King George Non-runner though – and will now head straight to the Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock early next year.
13. SPILLANE’S TOWER
Age: 6
Trainer: James Joseph Mangan
Form: 121-12
Will be the second runner in the race for top owner JP McManus after being supplemented for £4,600 in the week before the race. Has won 50% of his eight career starts and ran a blinder to be a 1/2-length runner-up to Fact To File in the John Durkan Memorial Chase at Punchestown (watch below).
He also had the two-time Gold Cup winner Galopin Des Champs back in third that day and over this longer trip can be expected to improve again having won over 3m 1f at Punchestown at the end of April. Has been well supported in the market and looks set to challenge for the favourites berth in what will also be his first run outside of Ireland.
14. THE REAL WHACKER
Age: 8
Trainer: Patrick Neville
Form: 2P5-U1
Won the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby last time out – beating another King George runner and winner of the race in 2022 Bravemansgame (watch below).
Is also a Cheltenham Festival winner – when taking the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase in 2023.
However, does have a bit to find on his running in the race 12 months ago. When fourth and beaten 10 lengths to Hewick, as also meets that horse on the same terms.
