For many, the Festival period is a time to cherish moments with your loved ones. It’s reflected by the first fall of snow on a winter morning, the bumbling excitement in the household as the kids eagerly anticipate the return of Santa Claus, paying £9 for a Hot Chocolate in the overcrowded Christmas markets that makes Guinness at the Cheltenham Festival seem like value, mulled wine that cleanses the nostrils as you walk in to a pub with a cosy log fire, the desire to completely eradicate any form of health plan and merely fill the body with booze and chocolate, the frantically packed high streets littered with last-minute shoppers.
For the racing fans, Christmas Day is merely a precursor to the main event – The King George VI Chase. As the world retreats into an early night having accepted defeat via an over indulgence in Bailey’s and Turkey, the racing purists are in game mode with our heads deep in the form book to whittle down one of National Hunt Racing’s most prestigious events.
The coveted event boasts an illustrious roll of honours such Wayward Lad, Desert Orchid, See More Business, Florida Pearl, Best Mate and Kauto Star – all household names who are etched in to the fabric of the sports greatest steeplechasing contenders.
There’s very few renewals of late that have failed to conjure up something of spectacle. Last year we saw Banbridge run down the electric front running performance of Kauto Star winner Il Est Francais, the penultimate renewal saw Shishkin unseat Nico De Boinville two out after looking the winner, before an unlikely source in Hewick flew from the clouds to give Shark Hanlon and Gavin Sheehan their first success in the contest, Bravemansgame took advantage of a late spill from L’Homme Presse in 2022, Tornado Flyer was a shock winner in 2021 to defy Clan Des Obeaux a third King George in four years, not to mention the incredible jumping performance displayed by Thistlecrack in 2016 to lower the colours of the previous winner Cue Card, and this year’s renewal looks set to be another Boxing Day feast.
Market Contenders
Gaelic Warrior – Willie Mullins
When Gaelic Warrior was beaten off a mark of 129 in the Fred Winter, you’d hardly have thought he’d be lining up as the ante-post favourite for a King George three years later. That said, the talented son of Maxios warrants his position at the head of affairs having put up a career best effort on his first attempt at three miles when beating Grey Dawning three lengths in the Bowl Chase at Aintree last season.
He backed that up later that month at Sandown down in trip in the G2 Oaksey to give Closutton a 1-2, further cementing Mullins’ Champion Trainer’s title. Having began last season poorly, he was something of an unknown going into the John Durkan at Punchestown last month but he remarkably regained the lead from stablemate Fact To File in one of the best races we’ve seen so far this season.
He has a clear preference for going right-handed despite his recent triumph at Aintree and his 2023 Arkle success, and he could be seriously tough to pass if on song once more.
Jango Baie – Nicky Henderson
Jango Baie was one of the large consortium of Cheltenham bound steeplechasers who’d have been destined for the Turners’ Novice Chase, but what initially turned into loss unearthed a significant gain when rallying late on to win the Arkle last season. The son of Tiger Groom took his record to 211222121 there, and he lost little in defeat when a length third to Impaire Et Passe in the Manifesto at Aintree when again a touch too lacklustre in rear.
He returned this season in the 1965 Chase at Ascot which appeared a tough enough ask for his first attempt in open company against some seasoned types, but he passed the test with flying colours having sat off the strong gallop and picked rivals off with ease. There is an argument to suggest the race fell apart there, but he reversed the form with Gidleigh Park and shaped as if a patient ride in a King George would bring him right into contention later this month with stamina seemingly no issue.
The Jukebox Man – Ben Pauling
Twenty minutes after Jango Baie’s success, The Jukebox Man threw his hat into the King George ring when a comfortable winner of a Graduation Chase at Haydock. That came after a long layoff which he won’t have been fully primed for and while he beat a dour, Grand National destined stayer in Iroko and Mr Hope Street who will have had other targets in mind, he was wildly impressive regardless.
That was his first run since winning the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase here, and he bids to become the first since Bravemansgame to land the double.
Banbridge – Joseph O’Brien
Last year’s winner Banbridge has been comfortably beaten twice since collaring Il Est Francais late on here, and connections have said that his hopes largely hinge on how he performs in the Hilly Way on Sunday. The son of Doyen was an impressive winner, even more so given he was ridden over two miles on both his previous outings of last season which saw him stuffed twenty eight lengths by Found A Fifty and unseating against Energumene, for all he looked a danger.
It wasn’t a total shock, as he’d often shaped as if three miles could suit and his previous career best RPR saw him beat Pic D’Orhy in the Silviniaco Conti here in 2024. He’s still only a nine year old and with a 50% strike rate in his career you could argue he’s under appreciated, and the 14/1 available could plummet after Sunday.
Fastorslow – Martin Brassil
“Hopefully he will have a good clear round and get a bit of race-fitness into him” were the comments used to describe how connections wanted to see Fastorslow get on in the John Durkan and he ran accordingly to that. Along with Heart Wood, he paid the price for racing up in the van with Gaelic Warrior and Fact To File who both had a touch more class and likely physical condition to draw away from that pair.
That was Fastorslow’s first run since last year’s John Durkan after picking up a knock, but it’s worth noting he’s twice claimed the scalp of Galopin Des Champs and if connections point him this way, then his he could be a huge threat to the principals if bringing the best of his Punchestown form.
Outsiders to Consider
Panic Attack – Dan Skelton
A daughter of Canford Cliffs out of a Galileo mare winning the Hennessy won’t have been on everyone’s radar, but the Dan Skelton trained nine year old bolted up six lengths in what looked to be a strong renewal, recording a historic Paddy Power November Gold Cup and Coral Gold Cup double.
Skelton was adamant she’s in the form of her life and was keen to roll the dice, and with these older mares that’s certainly the way to go so it wouldn’t be all that surprising to see her show up here. She’ll have something to find on the figures, but she’s evidently a versatile mare suited to all types of tracks and distances, thus she couldn’t be entirely ruled out.
Djelo – Venetia Williams
Venetia Williams isn’t afraid to campaign her horses regularly and aggressively, and Djelo could come into the equation provided he passes a seemingly simple task in the Peterborough Chase on Sunday. Djelo recorded a career best when a well backed winner of the G2 Denman Chase in February, and while he came up short in two runs since, he’s often dropped off a cliff toward the end of the season.
He ran to near the level of his Denman success when collaring Pic D’Orhy to win the Charlie Hall on seasonal debut, a race which has thrown up King George winners in the past. That was his second success around this trip, proving he has enough stamina to cope, and given he’s just a seven year there could yet be more to come.
Verdict
While Willie Mullins’ British travellers this side of Christmas don’t always put their best foot forward, as documented by Anzadam in the Fighting Fifth, the Closutton maestro did manage to land this prize with Tornado Flyer and that boasts enough confidence to suggest Gaelic Warrior will prove incredibly tough to beat here.
His career best performance arguably came at this trip in the Bowl last season and he was able to lower the colours of the supremely talented Fact To File over that one’s optimum conditions. If building on that effort once more, it’s hard not to see Willie Mullins copping a valuable prize to give an early fright to Skelton’s trainers’ title charge.
Jango Baie can follow the selection home, as his devastating performance in the 1965 marked him as one of Britain’s most exciting chasers. Nicky Henderson has long said this trip will bring out the best of him, and the fact he had enough boot to win the Arkle last season is reflective of his ability.
Should Banbridge return in good form in the Hilly Way on Sunday then that brings last year’s victor back into the equation. The King George is very much a ‘Gold Cup’ race for some horses as the sharp, right handed test is astronomically different to the staying test of the Gold Cup, thus peaking earlier in the season and we can forgive him for dropping off last term in that respect. Should he come on for the Hilly Way, he can fill the third spot.
1st Gaelic Warrior, 2nd Jango Baie, 3rd Banbridge
FAQs: King George VI Chase ante-post tips
When & where is the King George VI Chase run?
The King George VI Chase takes place every year on Boxing Day at Kempton, with this year’s renewal set to take place at 2.30pm on Friday 26 December 2025.
When was this King George ante-post tip published?
The King George VI Chase ante-post preview was published at 2pm on Thursday 4 December 2025.
Who is Matty Sutcliffe?
Matty Sutcliffe is one of GG’s newest contributors and is now a regular guest on our flagship Weekend Watch podcast. His angle is value bets, making him a perfect fit for our ante-post series.
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