King George VI Chase 2024 Runners: A guide to the 11 hopefuls

The big race on Boxing Day is of course the prestigious King George VI Chase, due off at 14:30 at Kempton Park.

Eleven horses are set to contest the Grade 1 over three miles and I've produced a King George VI Chase 2024 Runners Guide, complete with the odds at time of publication and a brief assessment of their chances.

Spillane's Tower (James Mangan/Mark Walsh) @ 7/2

The one to beat after a mighty run in the John Durkan at Punchestown last month, going down by just half a length to Cheltenham Gold Cup favourite Fact To File. The six-year-old son of Walk In The Park reportedly needed it too, so it's fair to say he's got an outstanding chance if lining up. That's the slight worry, for it's been warned several times that he mightn't participate if the ground is too quick.

Grey Dawning (Dan Skelton/Harry Skelton) @ 4/1

Won the defunct Turners Novices' Chase at this year's Cheltenham Festival and is the pick of the British. Finished a fine second in the Betfair Chase at Haydock last month, though it did look a gruelling affair. Has he had time to fully recover? That's the concern for me, although he's reportedly bouncing at home. Every chance but I wouldn't be surprised to see him flop at the same time.

Il Est Francais (Noel George & Amanda Zetterholm/James Reveley) @ 4/1

The toughest runner to weigh up. He was emphatic in the Kauto Star Novices' Chase here last year and seemed to have the racing world at his feet, but he was dead last, beaten 55 lengths, on his return to France this April and after an easy Grade 3 win at Auteuil in September, he was pulled-up there just over a month ago. If the real Il Est Francais shows up, he might just be the winner, but can he be trusted?

Banbridge (Joseph O'Brien/Paul Townend) @ 9/2

Poor on seasonal reappearance over two miles at Navan, but improved significantly for it as he was giving dual Champion Chase hero Energumene a proper race - and plenty of weight - until unseating at the final fence. That was only 18 days ago so he's not had lots of time to get over it and it's uncertain how he'll cope with the step up to three miles, but he's in good form and conditions are very much in his favour. Interesting.

Corbetts Cross (Emmet Mullins/Derek O'Connor) @ 10/1

National Hunt Chase hero who more than held his own against older horses - including the Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up Gerri Colombe - in the Bowl at Aintree's Grand National Festival subsequently. The betting suggested he needed his reappearance at Wexford at the end of October and this appears to have been the target since. He'll need to jump much better to win, but he's drifted to an attractive price over the last few weeks. Couldn't put you off.

L'Homme Presse (Venetia Williams/Charlie Deutsch) @ 10/1

Oppose Venetia Williams at your peril. The Herefordshire handler has enjoyed plenty of winners lately, as she so often does at this time of year, and on official ratings L'Homme Presse ought to be very competitive in this King George. That being said, he's the only horse in the field returning from a layoff and has questions to answer.

Envoi Allen (Henry de Bromhead/Rachael Blackmore) @ 12/1

A highly-popular, nine-time Grade 1 winner coming here off the back of victory over King George champ Hewick at Down Royal. De Bromhead's 10-year-old is a bit of a specialist at the Northern Irish venue, though, and he was very disappointing at Kempton a couple years back. I'd love to see him do it, but it's unlikely as far as I'm concerned.

Bravemansgame (Paul Nicholls/Harry Cobden) @ 12/1

An emphatic winner of the race in 2022, but he was second to Hewick the following year and his form has tailed off significantly this term. He of course represents the race's winning-most trainer (13 victories) and I could see him outrunning his odds, but I find it hard to envisage him winning it.

Juntos Ganamos (David Cottin/Felix De Giles) @ 18/1

I'm no French expert, I must admit, but this five-year-old looks to have plenty to do in this company. Connections seem quietly confident about his chances, mind, which adds intrigue. Not for me, but he's dangerously hard to weigh up.

The Real Whacker (Patrick Neville/Gavin Sheehan) @ 20/1

Surprised everyone as a novice chaser during the 2022/23 season, winning all three starts - including the Brown Advisory at Cheltenham - but was largely disappointing the following season. His success in the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby last month, beating the aforementioned Bravemansgame by over three lengths, was a return to something like and if he's got a fair each-way chance, especially if allowed to dictate from the front on favourable ground.

General En Chef (Noel George & Amanda Zetterholm/Benjamin Gelhay) @ 66/1

The third French raider and rank outsider of the field. On all known form, it would be a major shock if he did the business. Can't be advised.

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