(4 minutes read)
The great Boxing Day racing bonanza will be serving up a proper treat. After Constitution Hill has battled out The Christmas Hurdle with Lossiemouth, the Grade one action culminates with the King George VI chase.
Several entries are currently vying for favouritism including the two Irish raiders Spillane Tower and Banbridge whilst the chief British hope lies with the Dan Skelton trained Grey Dawning.
However, the chief threat we think will originate from across the English Channel whereby the exciting and progressive Il Est Francais will be looking to prove his doubters wrong after an indifferent start to his season.
We check out best King George bets and top prices from our partner firms Bet365, Betfred, William Hill, Bet Victor and Boylesports.
SPILLANE’S TOWER
This highly regarded progressive horse was a top class novice chaser last season, emerging triumphant in four of his last five races including a Grade one victory over Monty’s Star.
His good recent form is eye-catching having finished a close second to Fact To File and beating a green Gallopin Des Champs.
No doubt more to come from Spillane’s Tower and he has been well backed in recent days, leapfrogging Grey Dawning into favouritism.
Sure to be in the mix. Best odds of 7/2 with William Hill, Bet Victor, Betfred and Boylesports.
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GREY DAWNING
The Dan Skelton trained seven year old comes into the back of this after his Cheltenham Festival Turner’s Chase win, where he beat Ginny’s Destiny by a couple of lengths with other decent horse some eight lengths behind.
He did well to finish a close second to mud specialist Royale Pagaille in desperate conditions for The Betfair Chase in his one and only run so far this season. He will certainly be race fit and there or thereabouts if up to his best.
The trip will be ideal, especially around a flat track like Kempton. Best odds of 5/1 with William Hill.
BANBRIDGE
Tough consistent type who will relish this trip over a tight 3 miles. Banbridge has not hit the form of two years ago and has had an indifferent start to the season.
However, this Joseph O’Brien trained eight-year-old was running into close contention when falling at the second last, behind eventual winner Energumene in his latest start in the Grade 2 Bar One Racing Hilly Way Chase at Cork recently.
More to come but needs to improve some degree to figure here. Best odds of 5/1 with Bet365, Bet Victor and Boylesports.
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IL EST FRANCAIS
This horse had the whole racing world talking after his explosive victory in last season’s Kauto Star Novices Chase over course and distance. Despite a mistake six fences out, he eventually prevailed impressively to score by an outrageous 11 lengths, beating a quality field led by Hermes Allen.
Consequently, he was being talked about as a major King George horse or better. The way he travels and carries momentum over the fences is something to behold. This is a special horse and providing he can put everything together; he looks to be the only horse around that could arouse Gallopin Des Champ’s attention.
However, connections are still perplexed by his poor run last time out at Auteuil where he pulled up and was not travelling at all.
Nevertheless, based on that phenomenal Kauto Star novice chase performance, he is potentially on paper, head and shoulders above this field.
Our selection to win at 5/1 with Bet365 and Betfred.
BEST OF THE OTHERS
BRAVEMANSGAME
Bravemansgame cannot be completely ruled out if back to his best, although his last few runs have been far short of his known ability, enough to suggest he is on a downward trajectory.
But this is a previous King George winner, the predicted good ground looks to be in his favour, and he is not prone to serious errors. Excellent each way value for a few pennies at 25/1 with Bet365.
ENVOI ALLEN
The Henry De Bromhead trained Ryanair Chase and dual Down Royal Champion Chase winner has lost favour with punters recently having seen his price dive to 16s from 7s, suggesting that there are doubts over his participation.
Nevertheless, the 16/1 (Bet365) will be a bargain if he turns up and back to his best.
HEWICK
Again, some doubts over his participation. However, Hewick stayed on brilliantly to win this last year and looked back to his best with his recent close second to Envoi Allen in the Down Royal Champion Chase. 20/1 best with Bet365.
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VERDICT
A great renewal of the Boxing Day classic. Plenty of ability should turn up on the day but a fit and eager to go Il Est Francais could take some beating, such is his cruising speed and momentum over fences.
IL EST FRANCAIS 5/1 bet365 WIN
Please note all odds are correct at the time of publishing (10am 23rd December 2024) and are subject to change.
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