11 runners have been declared for the 2024 King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day. They include the well-backed favourite Spillane’s Tower, who had been supplemented by trainer James Joseph Mangan earlier in the week after beginning his season with a fine runner-up effort in the John Durkan Chase at Punchestown.

He finished ahead of two-time Gold Cup winner Galopin Des Champs that day, but will not be the only Irish challenger should the confirmations all hold firm later in the week. Banbridge will step up in trip for Joseph O’Brien having won a Grade 1 over 2m last season, while National Hunt Chase hero Corbetts Cross, and ten-time top level winner Envoi Allen have also stood their ground.

The multi-national flavour of the event is only heightened by three entries from France. Juntos Ganamos was supplemented by David Cottin on Monday, and he will joins compatriot Il Est Francais and General En Chef, the former of whom was an emphatic winner of the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase on the card a year ago, while the latter was fourth in the Coral Gold Cup last month.

The other supplementary entry was Charlie Hall winner The Real Whacker, who finished fourth in the race last season. He is among four declarationa for British yards, headlined by their chief Cheltenham Gold Cup hope Grey Dawning. Dan Skelton’s charge was overhauled in the Betfair Chase by former King George runner-up Royale Pagaille at Haydock on his return, with the winner having been taken out of this contest at the final stage.

2022 King George hero Bravemansgame remains on a retrieval mission as he looks for a first victory since that day. Gold Cup fourth L’Homme Presse does ensure Venetia Williams has a runner in the race, though the biggest absentee was last year’s winner Hewick, who was not declared by Tara Lee Cogan.

14:30 Kempton

Ladbrokes King George VI Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

• Going Good
• Distance 3m 0f 0y
• Class Class 1
• Race Type Chase Turf
• Surface Turf
• Runners 11
• Win Time 5m 55s

GG Edge Standard Compact

Win% is implied from the betting forecast

1st 1 3 tips Banbridge W: 11st 10lb Age: 8 yo Gelding

5/1 (Won)

J: Paul Townend T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

OR: — RPR: — Form: 19-14U

GG Racing Score — Ability — Draw — Jockey — Trainer — Course — Distance —

2nd 7 3 tips Il Est Francais W: 11st 10lb Age: 6 yo Gelding

4/1

J: James Reveley T: Noel George & Amanda Zetterholm

OR: — RPR: — Form: 115-1P

GG Racing Score — Ability — Draw — Jockey — Trainer — Course — Distance —

3rd 9 2 tips LHomme Presse W: 11st 10lb Age: 9 yo Gelding

10/1

J: Charlie Deutsch T: Venetia Williams

OR: — RPR: — Form: U/124-

GG Racing Score — Ability — Draw — Jockey — Trainer — Course — Distance —

4th 11 1 tip The Real Whacker W: 11st 10lb Age: 8 yo Gelding

20/1

J: Gavin Sheehan T: Patrick Neville

OR: — RPR: — Form: 2P5-U1

GG Racing Score — Ability — Draw — Jockey — Trainer — Course — Distance —

5th 10 2 tips Spillanes Tower OUR TIP W: 11st 10lb Age: 6 yo Gelding

3/1

J: Mark Walsh T: James Joseph Mangan

OR: — RPR: — Form: 121-12

GG Racing Score — Ability — Draw — Jockey — Trainer — Course — Distance —

6th 3 Corbetts Cross W: 11st 10lb Age: 7 yo Gelding

16/1

J: Mr Derek O’Connor T: Emmet Mullins

OR: — RPR: — Form: 2F13-2

GG Racing Score — Ability — Draw — Jockey — Trainer — Course — Distance —

7th 8 Juntos Ganamos W: 11st 10lb Age: 5 yo Gelding

25/1

J: Felix De Giles T: D Cottin

OR: — RPR: — Form: 11-U13

GG Racing Score — Ability — Draw — Jockey — Trainer — Course — Distance —

8th 2 1 tip Bravemansgame W: 11st 10lb Age: 9 yo Gelding

11/1

J: Harry Cobden T: Paul Nicholls

OR: — RPR: — Form: 256-23

GG Racing Score — Ability — Draw — Jockey — Trainer — Course — Distance —

9th 5 General En Chef W: 11st 10lb Age: 8 yo Gelding

50/1

J: Benjamin Gelhay T: Noel George & Amanda Zetterholm

OR: — RPR: — Form: 1-3134

GG Racing Score — Ability — Draw — Jockey — Trainer — Course — Distance —

UR 4 1 tip Envoi Allen W: 11st 10lb Age: 10 yo Gelding

10/1

J: Rachael Blackmore T: Henry De Bromhead

OR: — RPR: — Form: 3224-1

GG Racing Score — Ability — Draw — Jockey — Trainer — Course — Distance —

PU 6 1 tip Grey Dawning W: 11st 10lb Age: 7 yo Gelding

11/2

J: Harry Skelton T: Dan Skelton

OR: — RPR: — Form: 2113-2

GG Racing Score — Ability — Draw — Jockey — Trainer — Course — Distance —

+o+e Betting Returns

	Payout
Exacta	£38.50
Straight Forecast	£39.61
Tricast	£435.20
Trifecta	£563.10

Selections

The Sun:

Il Est Francais

RP RATINGS:

Banbridge

SPOTLIGHT:

Spillane’s Tower

TOPSPEED:

L’Homme Presse

The Guardian:

Grey Dawning

Telegraph:

The Real Whacker

WEST COUNTRY:

Bravemansgame

D Express:

Envoi Allen

The Times:

Spillane’s Tower

The Star:

Il Est Francais

Daily Record:

Il Est Francais

POSTDATA:

Banbridge

Daily Mirror:

Banbridge

Daily Mail:

L’Homme Presse