King George VI Chase 2024 Tips: Christmas highlight can go to JP

For us racing fans, Christmas is all about the feast of action on Boxing Day - and the ultimate present is the King George at Kempton Park.

This year's renewal is due off at 14:30 and I've got a couple of King George VI Chase 2024 tips for the occasion.

I can't help but think SPILLANE'S TOWER is the bet at 10/3 to provide owner JP McManus his first King George.

Jimmy Mangan's six-year-old was a highly-progressive novice chaser last season, ending a long campaign with two Grade 1s, including victory over Monty's Star - my antepost fancy for the 2025 Cheltenham Gold Cup - at the Punchestown Festival in April.

He reappeared this term in a red-hot John Durkan back at the County Kildare venue and was narrowly held by Willie Mullins' Fact To File, with dual Gold Cup hero Galopin Des Champs just over two lengths behind. I think that's easily the standout piece of form so far this season.

It was a huge performance from such a young horse reportedly in need of the run and allowed to go off 18/1. He ought to improve plenty for it - and for the return to three miles for just the second time.

I also think Spillane's Tower has fewer questions to answer than all of his 10 rivals.

French raider Il Est Francais was emphatic in the Kauto Star Novices' Chase here last year, but his form since reads 51P and while it wouldn't be a major shock if he bounced back and did the business on Thursday, he's hard to advise at current prices.

Likewise, I'm pretty cold on Skeltons' Grey Dawning. It was a gruelling Betfair Chase he failed to win at Haydock last month and I've seen many a horse struggle with this turnaround.

L'Homme Presse returns from 286 days off the track, Envoi Allen is the oldest in the field and isn't as effective away from Down Royal while Bravemansgame looks a horse on the decline.

This surely comes too soon for five-year-old Juntos Ganamos, whose form leaves plenty to be desired anyway, and I'll be at a loss for words if General En Chef is able to upset the odds. The Real Whacker would be dangerous if getting things his own way, but I can't see that happening - more on that in a moment.

Banbridge is the one I fear most, especially with Paul Townend booked to ride. He will love conditions - it's good to soft, good in places at Kempton at time of publication - and he comes here on the back of an excellent run in the Hilly Way Chase at Cork. He unseated at the last but was challenging dual Champion Chase hero Energumene at the time giving plenty of weight away. That was only 18 days ago, though, and he remains untested at the trip.

I think Spillane's Tower is pretty much rock solid. His form is there for all to see, he appears ground versatile despite connections' concern on that front and he's blessed with class and stamina in equal measure.

I can also see the race being run to suit. There should be plenty of pace on with Il Est Francais and The Real Whacker likely front-runners and Harry Cobden keen to be more positive on Bravemansgame, which could well set things up for a hold-up horse like the selection.

He's my main play, but I'll also be having a saver on the other runner in the green and gold of Mr. McManus - CORBETTS CROSS.

Emmet Mullins' seven-year-old is a funny horse. He was good enough to beat the 162-rated Found A Fifty over just shy of two miles as a novice hurdler last year, but he also won the National Hunt Chase in an absolute canter and then ran a blinder in open company behind Gold Cup runner-up Gerri Colombe at Aintree's Grand National Festival.

I can see an 'easy' three miles being perfect for him if his jumping holds up. That's the key, really. He's far from a natural in that department and he will get found out round Kempton if it doesn't hold up.

He's had 59 days since his weight-giving reappearance at Wexford in late October to work on that and hopefully this is the day he puts it all together. He's certainly got the ability.

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